What Is a Chief Wellness Officer and How to Become One
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What Does a Chief Wellness Officer Do?
Chief wellness officers most commonly work in the health care industry, creating programs that increase the wellbeing of employees in their work environments. In this role, you evaluate the current company culture, identify issues in the workplace that affect morale, and make sure any proposed changes are inclusive to all employees. You develop a plan that encourages employees to feel motivated at work, to progress well in their careers, and avoid burnout. Wellness plans may target employee health care, leadership strategies, or redefine company policy. Once your project is approved, you implement it throughout your company, monitoring its efficiency over time. Your ideas should keep employees happier in their environment, boost productivity, and increase job satisfaction. Other types of chef wellness officers oversee the fitness and recreation departments at community organizations.
How to Become a Chief Wellness Officer
Chief wellness officers often work in a different health care field before transitioning into a wellness officer position. Some are trained physicians, psychiatrists, or registered nurses who have completed the schoolwork and training required of those roles and have worked in the industry for several years. These health care professionals are aware of the problems with burnout and have ideas on how to reduce these problems in the workplace. They often start their careers by collaborating with the human resources department to develop programs and workshops to address low morale within the facility, taking on leadership roles during the process. Once you understand the challenges facing staff in health care organizations and have a vision of how to improve it, you can seek chief wellness officer positions.
