Frequently Asked Questions about the Health Education Section

1. What do health educators do?
A Health educator's job is varied and may include:

• Teaching individuals and groups
• Counseling others on behavior change
• Conducting staff trainings
• Assessing and identifying individual and community health needs
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating health education programs
• Advocating for health issues
• Developing audio, visual, print, and electronic health materials
• Developing social and mass marketing campaigns
• Working with the media
• Writing, implementing and evaluating grants
• Building coalitions

2. Where are health educators employed?
Health educators are found in schools, hospitals and medical care facilities, businesses and industries, government agencies, voluntary organizations, and community organizations.

3. What are some of the other job titles given to health educators?
Health educators may be titled patient educators, health education teachers, trainers, community organizers, and health program managers.

4. I hear a lot about 'CHES'- what is that?
CHES stands for Certified Health Education Specialist. The CHES designation after a person's name indicates they have successfully completed the CHES certification exam, met the standards of competence established by the profession and is committed to continual professional development.

5. What is the mission of the MdPHA's Health Education Section?
Our mission and purpose is detailed here.

6. What are the benefits of joining the Health Education Section?
The Health Education Section is a place where health educators can facilitate communication among members of their profession, gain new skills, learn how others operate successful programs and deal with specific populations, problem solve work and health issues, hear current health information, and network with other professionals.

7. When are meetings held?
Because everyone's time is so valuable, meetings are held twice a year usually in the fall and the spring, and set well in advance.  The meetings last about 4 hours and focus on networking and supporting members in their daily jobs.

8. How do I become a member?
Membership to the Health Education Section is free but members must be MdPHA members in good standing.  The annual membership to MdPHA is only $30, much less than most other professional organizations.  Log onto www.mdpha.org and download a membership form. Check off that you want to be join the Health Education Section (at no additional cost).

9. I'm interested in finding a job as a health educator but don't know where to look?
Contact local health departments, schools, and health care facilities.  You can also log onto the web page of the American Association for Health Education.  Click on careers for links to national job databases.