How to Become a Wellness Coordinator: Career Path Guide
If you want to become a wellness coordinator, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for a career as a wellness coordinator:
Those who become wellness coordinators have a natural interest in fitness, nutrition and mental health, and enjoy the idea of a career that allows them to combine these interests with their desire to help others.
Those who become wellness coordinators are also interested in a career that combines the challenge of designing and implementing company-wide programs, with the rewards of seeing the positive effects these programs have on the lives of their co-workers.
Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as a wellness coordinator. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become a Wellness Coordinator
Although educational requirements vary by employer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in an area such as nursing, occupational health, exercise science, outdoor recreation, public health, social work or psychology to become a wellness coordinator.
An undergraduate degree in one of these areas may not lead directly to a position as a wellness coordinator, but it could lead to an entry-level position in a related area.
To increase your knowledge and expertise in this field, it is recommended to have a master’s degree in one of the aforementioned areas.
Having a master’s degree will not only make you more knowledgeable as a wellness coordinator, it will make you more marketable to potential employers, and may qualify you for a higher pay grade.
Wellness Coordinator Job Description
Wellness coordinators are responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating education programs and materials in their workplace that are designed to promote the understanding of factors that may lead to illness and factors which may enable a person to attain or maintain wellness.
Prior to developing definitive programs, wellness coordinators must assess the overall mental, emotional and physical health of the target community, as well as determine the desired outcomes of the program.
Wellness Coordinator Job Duties
• Meet a variety of employee wellness needs by liaising with the wellness committee to create and implement effective programs
• Develop and implement a plan to distribute wellness information
• Design and promote company wellness activities
• Inform employees of relevant changes to the wellness program
• Confer with fitness and recreation centre personnel to schedule activities
• Collaborate with the Division Director of Personnel or other designated personnel in preparing and maintaining records and databases for the purpose of maintaining support data for the wellness program
• Evaluate the success of the wellness program by determining participant satisfaction levels
• Follow wellness budget guidelines and restriction
Who Hires Wellness Coordinators?
Wellness coordinators are hired by organizations that are involved with administering or implementing health and wellness initiatives for their employees or communities. Organizations that hire wellness coordinators include:
• Municipal, provincial/state and federal governments
• Hospitals
• Colleges and universities
• Large corporations (such as energy and telecommunications companies
• Self-employment (work on a contractual basis)
Wellness Coordinator Salary
The salary level of wellness coordinators can vary based on factors such as their level of experience, their level of education, where they work, and many others.
Wellness Coordinator Salary Alberta: According to the Alberta Learning and Information Service, the average salary of workers in the Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers occupational group is $73,266 per year.
Wellness Coordinator Salary Canada: According to the Government of Canada’s Working in Canada website, the average wage of workers in the Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers occupational group is $44.61 per hour.
Wellness Coordinator Salary United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of workers in the Health Educators occupational group is $45,830 per year.
Personal Traits Needed to Become a Wellness Coordinator
In order to become effective in a career as a wellness coordinator you need to posses certain personal characteristics. Possessing these traits will ensure that you are able to have a positive and lasting impact on the health and wellness of your co-workers. These traits will also help you endure the highs and lows of a career as a wellness coordinator. These personal characteristics include:
• Enthusiasm and energy
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• An interest in and desire to promote all aspects of health and wellness
• The ability to motivate others
• Good teaching and instructional abilities
Skills of Effective Wellness Coordinators
Wellness coordinators that are proficient in their jobs are able to effectively execute the following tasks:
• Able to build support for wellness efforts from senior management
• Able to assess the wellness needs of employees
• Able to develop and implement basic onsite wellness program activities
• Able to perform a simple evaluation of your employee wellness program
• Able to maximize recruitment efforts and enhance participation in wellness programs
• Able to effectively use a Health Risk Assessment (HRA) in an employee wellness program
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Careers Similar to Wellness Coordinator
Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to Wellness Coordinator, as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
References: How to Become a Wellness Coordinator
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as a wellness coordinator.
Occupations in Alberta: “Human Resources Professional.” (April 1, 2017). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
Community and Social Service: “Health Educators and Community Health Workers.” (March 29, 2019). Bureau of Labor Statistics - United States Government website. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
Explore Careers: “7 Things You Need to Do to Become a Wellness Coordinator.” (August 7, 2017). University of Wisconsin - Health & Wellness Management website. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
Please Note: Some of the information for this career guide was gathered from actual job postings, which due to the brief nature of their online presence, are not listed here as sources.
Scholarships for Becoming a Wellness Coordinator
Scholarships listed for majors that apply to becoming a Wellness Coordinator can be found on our All Scholarships by Major page.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Becoming a Wellness Coordinator: Applicable Majors
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming a wellness coordinator. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
