Health Education Specialist

What is a health education specialist?

A Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) is an individual that meets eligibility requirements and passes a competency-based exam of skills and knowledge of the Eight Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists.

MCHES® is a master’s degree level certification that includes a set of advanced eligibility requirements. Certification is provided by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. This certification requires an ongoing commitment to continuing education.

Health educations specialists:

  • Assess the health needs of people and communities.
  • Develop and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and communities maintain healthy lifestyles.
  • Test the effectiveness of programs and educational materials.
  • Help people find health services or information.
  • Provide training programs for other health professionals or community health workers.
  • Advocate for improved health resources, policies, procedures and services that promote health.
  • Collect and analyze data to learn about a particular community to improve programs and services.
  • Address Climate’s Impact on Health [pdf]
  • Serve as a resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
  • Supervise staff who implement health education programs.

Where do health education specialists work?

  • Healthcare facilities, hospitals and clinics
  • State, county, and public health departments
  • Schools and universities
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Businesses and industries

Health education specialist employment is expected to grow by 12 percent from 2014-2024. Growth is driven by efforts to improve health and reduce healthcare costs. U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 21-1091 Health Educators.

Why is health education important?

  • Health education improves the health of people, families, and communities.
  • Health education focuses on prevention of illness and disease.
  • Health education reduces costly premature death and disability.
  • Health education reduces the financial and human costs of medical treatment.

Health Education Code of Ethics

The Health Education Code of Ethics provides a framework of shared values within Health Education professions. The Code of Ethics is grounded in fundamental ethical principles, including: value of life, promoting justice, ensuring beneficence, and avoiding harm. A Health Education Specialist’s responsibility is to aspire to the highest possible standards of conduct and to encourage the ethical behavior of all those with whom they work.

Areas of Responsibilities, Competencies, and Sub-competencies for Health Education Specialist

The Eight Areas of Responsibility contain a comprehensive set of competencies and sub-competencies defining the role of the health education specialist.