With more awareness on “looking after yourself” the demand for online health coach jobs has boomed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the profession of health coaching has been projected to grow well above the national average of all occupations, at a rate of 17% over the next 10 years. Much of this growth is likely to be from virtual, remote and online job opportunities.
If you’re a health and wellness coach interested in securing an online job, then this post is for you. Here, we’ve outlined what type of work you can expect to find as an online health coach, where to find these jobs, and a list of companies that are actively hiring online health coaches.
What is a Health Coach?
A health coach guides and supports their clients towards their health goals, through habit and lifestyle change. Health coaches help their clients deal with a variety of health issues including (but not limited to):
- Weight Loss
- Mental Health
- Chronic illness
- Fatigue
Unlike a doctor or a dietitian, a health coach does not diagnose, prescribe or treat an illness. Instead, a health coach will work closely with clients and take a holistic approach to help them achieve their wellness goals. This will involve gaining a big picture assessment of many aspects of a client’s life, rather than simply focusing on one facet. These areas include:
- Nutrition
- Fitness
- Sleep
- Stress
- Play
Health coach jobs can be found in a variety of different health care, fitness and wellness settings, depending on your interests, qualifications and coaching niche, including:
- Physician Practices
- Corporate Wellness Programs
- Health Clubs and Gyms
- Private Practice
- Health Insurance Companies
- Functional Medicine Clinics
- Integrative Health Clinics
How to Become a Health Coach
There is currently no set educational path towards becoming a health coach. However, many coaches do hold a health coach certification. With an ever increasing number of health and wellness schools popping up online, it may be difficult to choose which school is best suited for you.
The Primal Health Coach Institute (PHCI) offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date ancestral health curriculum in the world. There are no prerequisites required for enrollment, and PHCI students have the option to become National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) certified, through our Master Primal Health Coach program. Our syllabus is developed 100% online, so you can study anywhere you can connect online.
Whilst it’s not essential, many health coaches hold either an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in a related field. Here’s a list of 9 professions held by PHCI graduates:
- Nursing
- Health Science
- Public Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Functional Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Fitness
- Personal Trainer
- Sports Science
Virtual, Digital and Telehealth Coaching: What’s the Difference?
When searching through health coach job postings, you’re sure to come across the terms:
- Virtual Health Coach
- Digital Health Coach
- Telehealth coach
Whilst there may be some overlap in these exact roles, it’s important to understand the subtle difference between these job titles before you start your job application and we’ll delve into this now.
1. Virtual Health Coach
A virtual health coach is much like a traditional in-person health coach, in the sense that they provide support and guidance directly to their clients in order to help them achieve lifestyle change. The major difference between virtual and in-person health coaching is that the coaching is performed remotely, either over Zoom/FaceTime or over the phone. Much like in-person health coaching, a virtual health coach can either run their own private practice or be employed by a corporate wellness firm, or an insurance company.
2. Digital Health Coach
Digital health coaching is a relatively new form of coach:client interaction, that makes use of digital technology using an app or an online platform. This modern form of health coaching, places the individual in the drivers seat, with many digital health coaching platforms offering a mix of educational resources, tracking tools, accountability measures and access to a real health coach, in the form of text messaging, much like PHCI’s very own myPrimalCoach app.
3. Telehealth Coach
As the name suggests, telehealth coaching is performed over the phone. There’s evidence to suggest that telehealth coaching supports positive disease management outcomes in older populations. However, telehealth coaching is rarely used on its own, and is commonly used in conjunction with other accountability strategies such as tracking apps.
Why Are Online Health Coach Jobs in Demand?
Health coaching is a proven strategy used to manage of chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and mental health. We’re used to having information and resources at our finger tips and health coaching is no different. The benefits of bringing health coaching online are huge to both coaches and their clients. Let’s take a look at 5 of these benefits now.
Online health coaching:
- Allows health coaches and clients to connect from all corners of the globe; geographic location is no barrier.
- Eliminates any mobility issues that may prevent a client from seeking coaching in-person.
- Provides a more comfortable setting for clients with anxiety or other mental health issues.
- Reduces overheads for health coaches (such as commuting costs and office space hire), as they can work from home.
- Brings flexibility to health coaching in a way that in-person coaching can’t.
Where to Find Online Health Coach Jobs?
Corporate wellness programs work. Healthy employees work harder, have less time off and report increased job satisfaction and happiness. Businesses large and small are prioritizing their employee’s health and wellness and they are looking for health coaches to run these programs.
Whether you’re searching for full time or part time work, a position in a wellness company or securing corporate wellness clients as a freelancer, the job vacancies are out there, you just need to know where to find them.
Here’s a list of 7 ways you can find an online health coach job:
- Online job sites: Search for job opportunities using online job sites such as Monster or Indeed.
- Company websites: Many businesses have a “Careers” tab on their website, and you’re likely to find job vacancies advertised here.
- Mailing lists: Keep your eyes peeled for job postings when checking your email, as wellness companies will often promote their job openings to their mailing lists before advertising the position externally.
- Social media: It’s common for health and wellness companies to promote career opportunities on platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook.
- Networking: The most effective marketing tool is you! Use your connections in-person or online and get proactive with your job hunting. If you’re the right fit, the company will find a way to employ you.
- Freelancing websites: Put your profile on freelancing sites such as Upwork or Fiverr and let the work come to you.
17 Companies Hiring Online Health Coaches Right Now
It may feel like all the job postings want applicants with at least 3 years experience or require qualifications that you don’t hold. Don’t lose hope, the right online health coach job is out there for you, you just need to know where to find it! Here’s a list of 17 companies that are looking for online health coaches right now:
- Carenet Healthcare Services – San Antonio, Texas
- Crystal Run Healthcare – Middletown, New York
- Burnalong – Baltimore, Maryland
- Ginger – Phoenix, Arizona
- LTCG – Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- ConnectiCare – Manchester, Connecticut
- Cigna – Wilmington, Delaware
- Centene Corporation – St Louis, Missouri
- Vheda Health – Columbia, Maryland
- Health Advocate – Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
- CVS Health – Woonsocket, Rhode Island
- Duke Health – Durham, North Carolina
- Marathon Health – Atlanta, Georgia
- Near North Health Service Corporation – Ridgeland, Mississippi
- Aura Health – San Francisco, California
- Enara Health – San Mateo, California
- Forum Health LLC – West Jordan, Utah
Summary
We hope you’ve found our guide on how to find your own online health coach job useful. Remember, the right job for you is out there, you just need to know where to find it. Do your research and start your job hunting today!
