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

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

Area of Responsibility I: Assess Needs, Resources, and Capacity for Health Education/Promotion

Competency 1.1. Plan assessment process for health education/promotion
Competency 1.2: Access existing information and data related to health
Competency 1.3: Collect primary data to determine needs
Competency 1.4: Analyze relationships among behavioral, environmental, and other factors that influence health
Competency 1.5: Examine factors that influence the process by which people learn
Competency 1.6: Examine factors that enhance or impede the process of health education/promotion
Competency 1.7: Determine needs for health education/promotion based on assessment findings

Area of Responsibility II: Plan Health Education/Promotion

Competency 2.1: Involve priority populations, partners, and other stakeholders in the planning process
Competency 2.2: Develop goals and objectives
Competency 2.3: Select or design strategies/interventions
Competency 2.4: Develop a plan for the delivery of health education/promotion
Competency 2.5: Address factors that influence implementation of health education/promotion

Area of Responsibility III: Implement Health Education/Promotion

Competency 3.1: Coordinate logistics necessary to implement plan
Competency 3.2: Train staff members and volunteers involved in implementation of health education/promotion
Competency 3.3: Implement health education/promotion plan
Competency 3.4: Monitor implementation of health education/promotion

Area of Responsibility IV: Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion

Competency 4.1: Develop evaluation plan for health education/promotion
Competency 4.2: Develop a research plan for health education/promotion
Competency 4.3: Select, adapt and/or create instruments to collect data
Competency 4.4: Collect and manage data
Competency 4.5: Analyze data
Competency 4.6: Interpret results
Competency 4.7: Apply findings

Area of Responsibility V: Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion

Competency 5.1: Manage financial resources for health education/promotion programs
Competency 5.2: Manage technology resources
Competency 5.3: Manage relationships with partners and other stakeholders
Competency 5.4: Gain acceptance and support for health education/promotion programs
Competency 5.5: Demonstrate leadership
Competency 5.6: Manage human resources for health education/promotion programs

Area of Responsibility VI: Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person

Competency 6.1: Obtain and disseminate health-related information
Competency 6.2: Train others to use health education/promotion skills
Competency 6.3: Provide advice and consultation on health education/promotion issues

Area of Responsibility VII: Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion, and the Profession

Competency 7.1: Identify, develop, and deliver messages using a variety of communication strategies, methods, and techniques
Competency 7.2: Engage in advocacy for health and health education/promotion
Competency 7.3: Influence policy and/or systems change to promote health and health education
Competency 7.4: Promote the health education profession

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