Health promotion specialist

As a health promotion specialist you could:

• promote healthy eating and regular exercise
•  give advice on the dangers of smoking or drinking too much
•  give information about the risk of coronary heart disease and cancers
•  raise awareness of mental health, sexual health and drug misuse
•  do research, make publicity materials, run training courses and organise events
•  give information and advice to managers in health authorities and local councils

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to enjoy working with other people
• sensitivity and understanding
• administration skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You might need a driving licence for some jobs.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

With experience, you could:

• move into a senior role and be responsible for planning projects and strategies
•  get a postgraduate qualification and manage projects and a team or health promotion specialists
•  work as a freelance consultant