Job Satisfaction in Health Education and the Value Added of Credentialing

A systematic sample of 504 health educators was chosen to measure job satisfaction in the profession and to investigate whether individual credentialing has affected overall job satisfaction, satisfaction with work, pay, opportunity for promotion, coworkers, and supervision for health educators. Data collected via a mailed instrument (53% response rate) included a demographic and education section; questions regarding employment history; Smith's fob Descriptive Index; and the fob in General Index (JIG) scales. Data analyses showed overall job satisfaction as measured by the JIG. The data indicated satisfaction with co-workers, work, supervision, and pay. However, the sample was dissatisfied with promotion opportunities. There were no differences in overall job satisfaction, satisfaction with pay, work, co-workers, and supervision, between those with the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential and those without CHES. There was a significant difference (p=. 01) in satisfaction with opportunity for promotion; those with the CHES credential were dissatisfied.