Public Health Jobs in the Government
- Occupational Health and Safety Officials
- Community Planners
- Social Workers
- Public Policymakers
- Epidemiologist
Jobs in public health in the government sector call for a diverse set of skills that include research, policy analysis, community liaison and the whole spectrum of health care services. Public health officials and employees monitor the state of the people and the community, promoting health and wellness as a disease and injury-prevention strategy. People in public health are concerned with promoting healthy and safe living and working conditions, and they do their part by facilitating access to the appropriate resources. These resources may include food and nutrition services, vaccinations and other health services. They advocate for occupational safety laws, child protection measures such as mandatory health screenings, seat belts and other practices to help children and families thrive. Most of these jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree while others may be open only to candidates with a master’s degree in public health or related courses.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Occupational health specialists observe and analyze work environments and work processes on location. They are in charge of regular inspections of workplaces to monitor for compliance to regulations related to worker safety and health and appropriate environmental management practices. They develop safe-practices programs that may help prevent disease and injury to workers, the public and the environment. They are assigned to review work-related incidents and injuries to examine compliance and identify preventive strategies. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration hires specialists at every level.
Community Health Planners
The community health planner position is one of the specializations under medical and heath services management. They research, develop, implement and monitor programs and procedures that have to do with the providing treatment and wellness services to individuals, families and communities. These plans may be implemented on a regional or national basis. Community health planners typically work with social workers, nurses and doctors to identify priority concerns for specific communities and population groups. These public health personnel may find employment in various state agencies, including the departments of health and human services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and health clinics.
Social Workers
Community social workers are concerned with helping communities function and thrive. They may work with individuals directly to assess their needs, provide referrals to the resources that provide solutions to their issues and solicit feedback to determine the efficiency of the solutions presented. They may work with families and communities to generate an overall review of their needs and to identify underlying social and economic causes of community health issues. Social workers administer programs developed by federal and local departments of health and human services.
Public Policymakers
The health sector is subject to various regulations to ensure access to health services, monitor practices for health and safety issues and ensure quality care for all. These issues are linked to existing public policies that may have been implemented to address issues that are no longer relevant due to social, environmental, political and economic changes. Public policymakers play a crucial role in ensuring the public’s health and safety through collaboration with the private sector in studying and designing health initiatives for the benefit of the community. They may be employed by the local and state government executive offices.
Epidemiologist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, epidemiologists investigate patterns in the incidence of diseases, identify the causes of diseases and injuries in communities and population groups. They work to reduce risks and minimize the potential for recurrence of infectious diseases and preventable injuries. They participate in research, community education programs and health policy formulation and review. Research epidemiologists may work for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and similar agencies.
Related Resource: Top 10 Doctor of Public Health Degree Programs
Public health addresses the health, wellness and safety needs of the population as a whole especially from the purview of government regulatory effort and support. Jobs in public health in the government sector cover a wide range of specializations and expertise levels, but these jobs have one thing in common: Anyone aspiring for a career in this field must be focused on the public good.