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The role of the BSA Health Promoter


Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health. To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, an individual or group must be able to identify and realise aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore, seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. Therefore, health promotion is not just the responsibility of the health sector, but goes beyond healthy lifestyles to wellbeing.1

Professional Standards

Qualifications

To maximise effective health promotion and national consistency of messages, all health promotion staff employed in the Programme must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the theory and practice of public health and health promotion approaches.

Minimum competency requirements

BreastScreen Aotearoa providers will use:

  • Nga Kaiakatanga Hauora mo Aotearoa Health Promotion Competencies for Aotearoa-New Zealand2
  • National Screening Unit Competencies, including Cultural Competencies.

Continuing professional development

Professional development and continuing education requires that health promotion staff employed or subcontracted by BreastScreen Aotearoa providers must:

  • promote and demonstrate sound health promotion principles and practice
  • maintain professional knowledge and skills relating to breast cancer and screening in addition to health promotion
  • develop and maintain cultural knowledge and skills
  • identify, develop and maintain community and professional networks
  • critically reflect on and evaluate own work
  • participate in peer review processes.

1 WHO. 1986. Ottawa charter for health promotion: First International Conference on Health Promotion. 21 November.
2 HPFNZ. 2000. Nga Kaiakatanga Hauora mo Aotearoa Health Promotion Competencies for Aotearoa-New Zealand. Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand - Runanga Whakapiki ake i te Hauora o Aotearoa.