Question

9. There are multiple settings for health education and promotion. Describe how a health educator might function in the following settings (job responsibilities, daily tasks, objectives). Include two advantages and two disadvantages of that particular setting. Note: I will select two from the following list) Schools Worksites Health Care Organizations Community / Public Health Agencies Colleges / Universities International Agencies Non-traditional Settings

Answer 1

Health educator promote, enable and improve individual and community health by assisting individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors.

Job responsibilities of health educator in Community /Public health agencies:
1) Collaborate with health specialists and community groups in locality to determine community health needs and the availability of services, and to formulate goals for meeting needs.
2) Design and conduct diagnostic investigations to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.
3) Prepare and implement health education and promotion programs such as training workshops, conferences,and community based presentations.
4) Structure operational plans and policies necessary to achieve health education objectives and services.
5) Perform or coordinate health needs assessments and other public health surveys.
6) Design health education materials, including reports, bulletins, and visual aids such as films, videotapes, photographs, and posters related to the improvement of public health infrastructure in the community.
7) Provide support to willing agencies and organizations in the assessment of health education needs, and in the development and delivery of health education programs
8) Provide health education program information to the employees by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, and/or maintaining program-related web sites.

9)Develop and maintain health education libraries to supply resources for workers

Daily tasks include :

• Document activities conducted and record information about presentations conducted.
• Maintain mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
• Supervise staffs in implementing and evaluating health programs, objectives, and goals.
  

Job responsibilities of health educator in schools are:

1. Maintain and update student health records
2. Take care of immunizations for the school children along with record & reporting about immunizations.
3. Provide emergency care for illness or any injury while at school
4. Plan and conduct annual vision & hearing screening programs
5. Conduct primary health care screenings for students and refer them to health care institutions if necessary.
6. Design health policies and procedures
7. Promote health care in schools
8. Plan and implement basic infections control precautions in schools like encouraging students to practice hand hygiene
9. Provide psychological counselling and also support girls & boys in adolescent age to cope with their age related changes.

Daily tasks are:

• Provide health education and counseling in a variety of health and wellness topics
• Motivate students to maintain hygiene and avoid risky behaviours
• First aid and emergency care.