Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

Working Life

Health education/health promotion officers (both titles are used and cover similar duties) try to improve health of people, communities and populations and prevent people becoming ill. They do this by increasing people's awareness of health issues, such as the importance of exercise and the dangers of smoking. This should help the public to improve their health.  
 
Health education officers play an important role in development of health policies. For instance, some may work closely with professional colleagues in local health authorities. This helps them to find out the sort of health information that is needed most in a particular area. They work in a range of locations like communities, health centres, hospitals, offices and sports.  
 
Some health education/promotion officers may specialise in a particular field, such as sexual health (helping prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases). The information may be targeted at schools, industry, clubs or other community organisations.  
 
In addition to direct involvement with the public, health education/promotion officers advise and train others to deliver health education. For example, medical workers, teachers and social service staff may be involved with health education/promotion.  
 
Travel throughout the local area is usually a requirement of the job.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organisations interested in public health care.
• Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programmes.
• Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
• Develop and present health education and promotion programmes, such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.
• Collaborate with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services and to develop goals for meeting needs.
• Develop, conduct, or coordinate health needs assessments and other public health surveys.
• Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programmes, objectives, and goals.
• Develop operational plans and policies necessary to achieve health education objectives and services.
• Provide program information to the public by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, or maintaining program-related Web sites.

Further Information

• Health education/promotion officer- from: GradIreland
• Health Promotion Specialist- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Health Trainer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Health Visitor- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Most entrants to this job start by gaining a degree or a professional qualification. A degree in health promotion/education is available but degrees in social or behavioural sciences and healthcare are equally acceptable. Relevant professional qualifications include those in health or teaching. Relevant work experience for at least two years is also usually required.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business admin, customer service, facilitation, groupwork, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: teaching, applied science, nutrition, health, youth, community work.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: teaching, public health, health promotion, health care, applied health care, food science, public health nutrition.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: health promotion, education, youth health, applied health, wellness coaching, health, social care, advancing health, public health, population health, health services research, structured, adolescent health, wellness.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

CORU

Society of Health Education and Health Promotion Specialists (SHEPS)

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €64k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Salaryband/ Payscale/ HSE

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Paramedics; pharmaceutical technicians; medical and dental technicians; dental hygienists; Health associate professionals n.e.c.; Dental nurses.  

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022. Census data shows that employment grew across all roles in this group between 2016 and 2022, with the strongest growth for pharmaceutical technicans.

The number of online job adverts for pharmaceutical technicians grew strongly in 2022 (+14%); skills in demand included, among others pharmaceutical knowledge, the ability to provide customer service & advice, and business skills, such as product sales.

A small number of employment permits were issued in 2022 for cardiac physiologists and paramedics. The available data sources do not signal any issues in relation to supply and demand for health associate professional occupations; however, if employment was to continue to increase, recruitment issues may emerge.

• Health Management Institute of Ireland

  • Heather House, Heather Road, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18
  • (01) 297 4070
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Foróige -The National Youth Development Organisation

  • Block 12D, Joyce Way, Park West, Dublin 12
  • (01) 630 1560
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here