Health trainer jobs

Type of Job

As a health trainer, you would advise people about the various healthy lifestyle choices they can make to improve their health.

What is the job about?

Health trainers work in the community. They provide information and practical support on a one-to-one basis or to groups, on issues such as:

• The amount of exercise people take
• Safe sex
• Stopping smoking
• The benefits of lowering alcohol intake
• The benefits of breastfeeding
  
  

The work can also involve:

• Connecting people to relevant local services
• Helping them to understand how their behaviour affects their health
• Supporting and motivating them to change harmful habits
• Explaining the benefits of healthier food and lifestyle choices
• Recording activity levels and results, and using these to motivate clients

Key Skills & Knowledge needed

To work as a health trainer you will need a good understanding of the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices. You will also need:

• The ability to motivate others
• An awareness of the health needs of the local community
• Enthusiasm
• Good communication skills
• Good networking skills with outside organisations
• Good organisational skills
• The ability to work independently

Qualifications and experience needed

To become a health trainer, you will need to acquire a knowledge of the health issues facing the community, and have good English skills. It would also be helpful to have either paid or voluntary experience working with local community groups.

Some employers require a GCSE grade C in English, or an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification. Other areas that would be good experience include:

• Personal training
• Fitness instructing
• Nutritional therapy or dietetics

What other training and development could I do?

Health trainers will receive on-the-job training that will typically cover:

• Health and safety
• Communication skills
• Record-keeping
• Time management.
  
  

There is also a City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate for Health Trainers, or you could study for NVQ levels 2, 3 and 4 in Community Development Work.

Salary and benefit expectations

Health trainers earn between ?15,000 and ?19,000 a year, though you should be aware that many health trainer jobs are part-time.

Supervisors earn between ?21,000 and ?27,500.

Where else can I go for more information?

Skills for Health
Goldsmiths House
Broad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

NHS Careers
PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
http://hlas.careers-advice.org/