A wellness coordinator plans and manages programs to improve mental and physical health, either for a company or a community. They analyze the health of the target group, develop action plans, and work with decision-makers to justify costs. They may also provide personal assessments and counseling. Educational requirements vary, but typically require a bachelor’s degree and experience in counseling or health education.
A wellness coordinator organizes and directs programs, people, and activities to achieve the goal of the best possible mental and physical health. Its scope can be relatively small and involve only employees of a company or department. In other cases, his range of influence may cover an entire community, town or city. Either way, the ability to educate and inspire people to recognize the benefits of good health and work towards those goals is vital to a wellness coordinator’s success.
The position involves extensive research and analysis of the target community. Before developing definitive plans or setting hard goals, a wellness coordinator should evaluate the overall physical and mental health of those involved. It then develops several general action plans aimed at improving or alleviating problem areas and convinces final decision makers that the benefits proposed by the program justify the costs involved.
If the coordinator works for a company, it is important to work in unison with the HR and benefits coordinator, as some employee health benefits and costs may be affected. For example, if an employee eliminates a health risk from her life, such as smoking or high blood pressure, individual benefits may be increased or the co-pay may be reduced. If the company’s employees as a whole show a marked improvement in health, that could lead to lower premiums and better coverage for everyone.
When employed by a city or community, a wellbeing coordinator works in a larger role to improve the physical and mental health of the general population. After analyzing the overall physical and mental health of residents, the wellness coordinator can work with city officials to organize community events or friendly competitions to improve fitness and physical health through structured programs and goal achievement. This may require the cooperation of local health organizations and hospitals to assist in testing and screening of community members.
In addition to assessing the health of populations as a whole, a wellbeing coordinator can provide personal assessments and recommendations. These services include counseling, crisis intervention, and providing treatment or referrals for employees with personal issues involving substance abuse, domestic and family problems, and chronic or terminal illnesses. If workplace issues arise, a wellness coordinator can sometimes alleviate the problem by discussing difficulties with employees in the department and providing counseling to groups and individuals.
All related duties of a career counselor or counselor are also the responsibility of a wellness coordinator. You are responsible for preparing budgets, compiling reports, maintaining accurate files and records, coordinating resources, and administering programs. Educational requirements vary for each job, but typically require a minimum bachelor’s degree with two years of counseling or health education experience. Some positions require a master’s degree in a related field along with two to five years’ experience in an associated healthcare setting.
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