A wellness consultant’s primary responsibility is to provide individualized diet, exercise, and overall health recommendations to patients and clients. Typically, this person works for a corporation, a consulting firm, or directly for clients. Sometimes the job entails making broad recommendations and providing general coaching, but it can also entail a great deal of very specific advice. Consultants employed by large corporations often spend the majority of their time giving presentations and answering broad questions, whereas those employed by fitness centers or hired on a freelance basis spend more time working with individuals to achieve more concrete results. Regardless of their setting, the majority of these professionals have a mix of education and formal credentialing in nutrition, fitness, and overall health at various stages of human life and development. This training allows them to perform their jobs more efficiently. Attending conferences and continuing education courses to learn about the latest trends is also important in many places.
Getting a General Understanding of the Job
Wellness consultants are a relatively new concept that has gained traction in recent years. In most parts of the world, the last few decades have seen an increase in attention to what is known as “preventative medicine” — that is, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with the goal of preventing illness and disease before drugs or other treatments are required. A wellness consultant helps people achieve this goal by assessing their personal habits and making recommendations based on exercise, nutrition, and stress management in order to improve their overall quality of life. Workplace wellness programs are particularly popular. Employees who are healthier also tend to be the most productive and profitable, according to a number of recent studies.
Within the Office
It’s no surprise that corporate stress-related disability is on the rise, necessitating the need for wellness programs. Consultant employment has risen significantly as businesses integrate programs in the hopes of keeping their employees healthy and productive. In addition to their regular health benefits, many companies now offer wellness programs to their employees. Employee fitness and nutrition programs are developed through these programs.
In a corporate setting, a consultant may work with individual employees, but he or she is more likely to implement programs, create incentives, and work to motivate employees as a whole. These individuals frequently create educational materials and programs to empower workers to take control of their own health.
Collaboration with Health Clinics and Fitness Clubs
Consultants who want to help people achieve their long-term health goals can work in a fitness center or a health clinic. They’re frequently treated as full members of the staff in these settings, and they’re contracted to work with any of their parent organization’s clients or patients. It’s not uncommon for them to spend a lot of time meeting with people one-on-one and working with them over months or even years to help them achieve specific goals like weight loss, cholesterol reduction, or increased mental energy.
Alternatives for Freelancers
Consultants may work more or less independently in some communities. Because pay is usually dependent on a steady stream of clients, this can be less stable, but it can be a good fit for professionals who only want to work part-time or who enjoy the challenges of working for themselves. Several consultants could band together to form a boutique firm that can provide people with more personalized service than they would get elsewhere. These are most common in affluent areas, where residents have extra money to spend on individualized wellness counseling.
Skills That Are Critical
Communication and approachability are critical for any wellness consultant because, in almost all cases, the consultant must be able to connect on a personal level in order to be effective. In order to assess the client’s strengths and weaknesses and then offer suggestions without making the client feel uncomfortable or defensive, a certain amount of trust is usually required. Many of the topics discussed in a wellness program can be sensitive, such as weight issues and mental health issues. It’s difficult, if not impossible, for consultants who make clients feel uncomfortable to get good results.
The First Steps
To become a certified wellness consultant, a person must typically complete a series of courses on a variety of health-related topics, as well as pass an exam. Certification programs are offered by a variety of organizations in a variety of countries, and requirements vary by location. Some science courses, such as anatomy and physiology, may be required. A student’s first aid and CPR certifications are frequently required.
It’s important to note that no jurisdiction typically requires certification or formal training in order to work as a wellness or health consultant. As a result, it’s usually a good idea to look into the background and training of anyone you’re considering hiring. Though the services provided by someone with more “real life” experience than formal education may be superior, their methods may not be as comprehensive or broad-reaching as those provided by someone who has spent more time studying wellness as a discipline.