KEY POINTS:
Name: Alex Massey
Age: 32
Role: Family Planning health promoter.
Web: www.familyplanning.org.nz.
Hours: 40 hours per week.
Average salary: $45,000-$60,000.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Health Science, Health Promotion at AUT.
Describe what you do.
As a health promoter for Family Planning, my role is to promote a positive view of sexuality and all the factors and choices we make around sexual health. So I am part of a team that works within the community to give people information and skills so they can make choices about their sexual and reproductive health. This is not only about enjoying good sexual health, but also about relationships, sexual orientation, gender identity, self-esteem and decision making.
Facilitation and teaching is a large part of our job. We also work on new resources, marketing services and updating of information. We take a holistic perspective on mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.
Why did you choose this line of work?
I am motivated by the need for better sexual health in New Zealand. Although sometimes it can be a taboo subject, sexual health is no different from any other health. Sexuality is life-long; it is a part of everyone, starting from birth.
I think it takes a particular type of person to work in health, especially community health which isn't as highly paid as other areas of the health sector. Having said that, I find it rewarding, fun and exciting.
Your history?
Originally I was teaching and learning yoga. This taught me about people, health and a more holistic approach to life and sparked my thinking about greater health and wellbeing.
I saw AUT was offering a new major in health science - health promotion - and that prompted me to reflect that health can be about prevention and a better standard of health. It doesn't have to just be about taking the Western medical approach of patching up what's broken; we can work at keeping things healthy all the way through. I love this approach. So I took the opportunity to study health promotion and fulfil my dream of working with health and wellbeing.
Who do you work with?
We work in community, education and residential settings including schools, community houses, youth centres, prisons and universities. Basically we offer facilitation, teaching and resources, adapting our programmes depending on group needs. We try to work mainly with smaller groups because we get better learning outcomes doing interactive activities and problem solving. On the odd occasion we also do larger groups for quiz nights and health expos. We also provide a wide range of professional development courses and work on community development programmes.
What sort of training do you need to do the job?
You need qualifications and experience in areas like health promotion, public health, education, community development or allied health fields. What skills or qualities do you need? You need the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, to be non-judgmental and have the confidence to facilitate others' learning. A vital aspect of the job is to get along well with people, young and old. You need to be professional and you need to be passionate about health, people and positive sexuality.
Personally I also find it helps to have a good sense of humour, particularly when working with males. Generally guys won't act on health unless there is a way to make them smile about the seriousness of it.
Best part of the job?
A really rewarding part of the job is working with a great team of people with different talents. I'm constantly exposed to new ideas and diverse people who apply health promotion principles and practice.
Another thing I really enjoy is developing resources, and at the moment we are redeveloping the sexual health website (theword.org.nz). Family Planning has a lot more to offer than people realise; their latest books and teaching resources are used across the world.
Most challenging part?
Our job encompasses the greater Auckland area and it can be a challenge sitting in traffic at the crack of dawn stressing about whether we'll reach the school, youth organisation, prison or community group on time.
Advice to someone interested in health promotion?
Go for it! If it tickles your fancy and helps others in the process you can't go wrong.
Where would you like to be in five years?
Is my boss going to read this? In the future I think I will stay in health but work for myself by trying to develop more online health content. With technology moving at greater speed, it is getting easier for people to access services online that can improve their wellbeing and quality of life.
