How to hire a lay health advocate

How to hire a lay health advocate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lay health advocate hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lay health advocate job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lay health advocate
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lay health advocate do?

Post a lay health advocate job for free, promote it for a fee

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your lay health advocate job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a lay health advocate for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect lay health advocate also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents lay health advocate salaries for various positions.

   Type of Lay Health Advocate	Description	Hourly rate
   Lay Health Advocate	Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities... Show more	$12-21
   Community Worker	Community workers are individuals who work with families or social communities to help promote or restore the social functioning of a community. These workers must promote social justice and maximizing human potential while advocating the rights of individuals and community groups... Show more	$13-26
   Community Health Program Coordinator	It is the responsibility of the community health program coordinators to create and manage health and wellness programs based in communities. The programs are developed to address various health issues and improve residents' health outcomes for a particular state or city... Show more	$16-31

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Social Work
   • Substance Abuse
   • Home Health
   • Behavioral Health
   • Patient Care
   • Social Services
   • Health Insurance
   • Health Education
   • HIPAA
   • Public Health
   • Community Outreach
   • CPR
   • Community Resources

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage large databases, analyze records, perform literature reviews, prepare PowerPoint presentations, and interpret data for publication.
   • Provide advocacy and direct support to acute adult and adolescent patients requiring medical and behavioral health treatment in the emergency room.
   • Maintain all test subject results and consent forms are fully confidential in lieu of federal HIPAA regulation (s . )
   • Comply with federal regulation in management of clients sensitive personal identifiable information (HIPAA regulations )
   • Handle suicide prevention and self-harm patients, medical conditions involving bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders and schizophrenia.
   • Program communication and development working with service providers, healthcare association and organizations to establish a state-wide tobacco treatment safety network.

   More lay health advocate duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lay health advocate job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A lay health advocate can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, lay health advocates' average salary in kentucky is 37% less than in new hampshire.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lay health advocates 39% less than senior-level lay health advocates.
   • Certifications. A lay health advocate with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a lay health advocate's salary.

   Average lay health advocate salary

   $35,126yearly

   $16.89 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lay health advocate salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average lay health advocate salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Rhode Island	$46,982	$23
   2	Connecticut	$46,531	$22
   3	California	$46,195	$22
   4	Massachusetts	$42,587	$20
   5	New Jersey	$39,779	$19
   6	Oregon	$38,379	$18
   7	New York	$37,156	$18
   8	Oklahoma	$37,010	$18
   9	Washington	$36,951	$18
   10	Colorado	$36,163	$17
   11	Idaho	$35,289	$17
   12	Virginia	$34,709	$17
   13	Florida	$34,568	$17
   14	Texas	$34,143	$16
   15	Pennsylvania	$33,687	$16
   16	Minnesota	$33,642	$16
   17	Georgia	$33,579	$16
   18	Arizona	$32,301	$16
   19	Illinois	$32,020	$15
   20	Missouri	$31,054	$15

   Average lay health advocate salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	NRDC	$44,216	$21.26	4
   2	Hampshire College	$38,832	$18.67
   3	Boston Public Health Commission	$36,923	$17.75	2
   4	Rehab Hospital of IN	$36,331	$17.47	1
   5	Kindred Healthcare	$36,317	$17.46	8
   6	FLACRA - Teller Square	$35,845	$17.23
   7	Ods Technologies, L.P.	$35,555	$17.09
   8	Avenica	$35,442	$17.04
   9	Universal Health Services	$35,374	$17.01	290
   10	University of North Texas	$35,205	$16.93
   11	Americorps	$35,160	$16.90	32
   12	Sunbeam Family Services	$35,124	$16.89
   13	Medical Billing	$34,994	$16.82
   14	Moda Health	$34,757	$16.71	1
   15	Hire Velocity	$34,729	$16.70
   16	ProMedica Toledo Hospital	$34,435	$16.56	2
   17	Oaks Integrated Care	$34,151	$16.42
   18	Banner Health	$34,138	$16.41	27
   19	Optum	$34,055	$16.37	3
   20	EQUITAS HEALTH	$33,967	$16.33	4

4. Writing a lay health advocate job description

   A job description for a lay health advocate role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a lay health advocate job description:

   Lay health advocate job description example

   Calling all health and fitness advocates; we have a new store coming soon to Fife, WA! The top 3 most common comments we hear from our applicants is 1. I have always wanted to work here, 2. I love the positivity I feel from your employees, and 3. I love what this company is all about. Well if you've ever felt this way too, now is your chance! We are looking for 6 friendly, energetic and fast paced individuals for full-time and part-time positions to fill various shifts including mid-day and evening shifts on weekdays and weekends. Any employee hired prior to the store opening will be required to begin training promptly, which is expected to be conducted at another ECS location in surrounding areas therefore applicants are encouraged to have reliable transportation. Eligible applicants must be 18 years old or older and able to work 4-5 days per week. Please read below for further information on this position and how to apply.
   
   As a Smoothie Barista you will be making delicious, high-quality, nutritious smoothies. We are also a health food / nutrition store therefore all employees are responsible for providing excellent retail service of nutrition supplements and health food snacks. You will also be responsible for maintaining a healthy and clean work environment, managing the cash register, and providing quality customer service. Desirable candidates will have a strong interest in health and fitness and the ability to promote healthy options to our customers. Candidates must also have the ability to engage in positive communication with customers and participate in keeping the workplace a positive and healthy environment for all employees. Barista experience is not required but is preferred. Applicants must be ready and available to begin working promptly upon job offer or within a 2-week period and must be available to complete our mandatory 2-week training period.
   
   Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States, have a valid photo-identification card, and will be responsible for obtaining a valid Food Workers Card upon hire. Strongly desired candidates will have experience as a Barista or a Food & Beverage server. All candidates must be able and willing to work at least 4 days per week, and must be available for weekends and evenings, and some holidays. Monday-Friday and morning positions are not available at this time. Those hired will be provided with paid on-the-job training.
   
   Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of interest AND resume describing all work experience, why health and fitness is important to you, and your hours available for work. Please note, if your hours are strictly limited you may be overlooked if it appears you will be unavailable to work our regularly scheduled shift times. We encourage you to be reasonable and flexible with your availability. You may also apply in person by downloading and completing one of our employment application online at www.emeraldcitysmoothie.com. Completed applications may be dropped off at ECS locations at S. 38th St. in Tacoma, Bridgeport Way in Lakewood, or either location in Puyallup WA however please be sure to write "Fife" at the top of your application. Please do not call or email with additional questions regarding this position. Additional questions may be asked during interviews.
   
   We also encourage all interested applicants to follow us on one of our Instagram accounts as this is likely where will be posting future hiring or opening interviews announcements: emeraldcitysmoothie\_fife, emeraldcitysmoothie\_lakewood, emeraldcitysmoothietacomasouth, emeraldcitysmoothie\_lacey, emeraldcitysmoothie\_meridian, and emeraldcitysmoothie\_puyallup - we do not hire for other emerald city smoothie locations.
   
   Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
   Pay: $14.75 - $17.00 per hour
   
   Benefits:
   * Employee discount
   * Flexible schedule
   * Paid sick time
   * Paid training
   Restaurant type:
   * Fast casual restaurant
   Shift:
   * 4 hour shift
   * 8 hour shift
   * Day shift
   * Evening shift
   * Morning shift
   Weekly day range:
   * Every weekend
   * Monday to Friday
   * Rotating weekends
   * Weekend availability
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right lay health advocate for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lay health advocate job on Zippia to find and recruit lay health advocate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with lay health advocate candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lay health advocate

   Once you've decided on a perfect lay health advocate candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new lay health advocate. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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