Health trainer
Health trainers promote healthy living and help people make healthier lifestyle choices.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In your day-to-day duties you might:
- introduce people to relevant local services
- help people understand how their behaviour affects their health
- support and motivate individuals to change harmful habits
- explain the benefits of healthier food and lifestyle choices
- record activity levels and results, and use these to motivate clients
- keep up to date with what services are available locally
- work with individuals or with larger groups
Working environment
You could work in an office or in the community.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress to team supervisor, or senior health improvement specialist.
You could also move into related careers in health promotion or community development.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- knowledge of English language
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- sensitivity and understanding
- customer service skills
- administration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- pass background checks
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:
- Level 2 Award in Improving the Public's Health
- Level 2 Award in Nutrition for Health
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
More Information
The following advanced apprenticeships may help you get into this role:
- Community sport and health officer
- Community health and wellbeing worker
You may be able to move on to a Public health practitioner degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
It may be possible to train as a health trainer if you are already working in a related role such as pharmacy assistant or in a leisure centre.
You can get some of the skills and experience you need for this job through voluntary experience with local community groups.
You can get advice about work experience in the NHS before applying for jobs or training.
You can also contactThe National Council for Voluntary Organisations about work placements.
You can apply directly for health trainer jobs, if you've got:
- an understanding of the health issues facing the community
- good communication skills in English and, for some jobs, a second community language
- some GCSEs, including English
Qualifications or experience as a personal trainer, fitness instructor or dietitian can also be helpful.
Further information
You can find out more about working as a health trainer from Health Careers.
Related videos
Suggested videos
Coffee With is in early release mode with a limited number of videos. New videos are being added every week, so please check back for updates.
External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.