Public Health Career Fields Overview

Individuals working within the area of Environmental & Health Risk Assessment inspect and evaluate food, workplaces, equipment, practices, environments and public facilities, so that people can be safe from injury or disease. They also ensure compliance with safety regulations and create reports of their findings.

• Sample Job Titles
• Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator
• Health & Safety Program Manager
• Hazardous Substances Scientist
• Industrial Hygienist
• Risk Mitigation Manager
• Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
• Compliance Policy Manager
• Compliance Investigator
• Employee Health Services Safety Specialist
• Human Health Toxicologist
• Environmental Analyst
• Environmental Protection Specialist
• Quality Coordinator
• Environmental Quality Analyst
• Human Health Risk Assessor
• Tasks & Responsibilities
• Investigate incidents and complaints and identify trends
• Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with regulations
• Develop measures, instructions, and processes that reduce hazardous risk
• Educate the public and businesses on environmental health and safety
• Conduct and implement customer concern resolutions
• Prominent Employment Sectors
• Government
• Private Sector
• Average Salary
• $65,000 - $130,000
• Hiring Trends
• Preparation for Public Health Careers

People working in Health Data Science, Analysis & Research use skills in analyzing data, designing and executing studies, investigating disease prevention and treatment, organizing clinical trials, creating maps and data visualizations, developing predictions, and communicating information in order to reduce the occurrence of negative health outcomes.

• Sample Job Titles
• Biostatistician
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Community Health Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Epidemiologist
• Informatics Specialist
• Medical Informatics Analyst
• Public Health Laboratory Scientist
• Research Associate
• Research Health Scientist
• Statistical Programmer
• Vaccine Researcher
• Data Analyst
• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Plan and conduct scientific research studies
• Analyze and process large datasets using advanced statistics methods
• Coordinate quantitative and qualitative data collection
• Generate data summaries, tables, charts, and other visual displays
• Conduct exposure and human health risk assessments
• Interpret findings to inform prevention and response strategies
• Prominent Employment Sectors
• Education/Research Systems
• Private
• Government
• Health Systems
• Non-profit
• Average Salary
• $60,000 - $170,000
• Hiring Trends
• Preparation for Career Area

People working in Health Policy, Law & Planning evaluate policies and systems to ensure individuals’ health and safety. They also collect and analyze data and create written communications, such as policy briefs and reports, to inform health policy and planning.

• Sample Job Titles
• Health Policy Analyst
• Environmental Policy Analyst
• Community Health Planner
• Urban/City Planner
• Policy Advocacy Coordinator
• Health Commissioner
• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Conduct policy analysis and research on policymakers' stances
• Gather information and develop recommendations to inform policy
• Create written materials including policy briefs, reports, and presentations
• Evaluate the effectiveness of policies, programs, and services
• Foster and maintain relationships with stakeholders and organize meetings with decision-makers and community members
• Collect, analyze and disseminate health-related data and information
• Educate public through workshops and materials on how policy affects their lives
• Prominent Employment Sectors
• Government
• Non-profit
• Average Salary
• $48,000 - $135,000
• Hiring Outlook
• Preparation for Career Area

People in Health Promotion & Program Development assess the health needs of individuals and then develop, implement, and evaluate health programming in order to address those needs.

• Sample Job Titles
• Health Promotion Coordinator
• Health Educator
• Infection Preventionist
• Injury Prevention Specialist
• Wellness Coordinator
• Program Coordinator
• Community Health Education Specialist
• Violence Prevention Program Coordinator
• Food Security Program Manager
• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Plan, coordinate, and implement health programming
• Evaluate health programs and ensure they have intended results
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with communities, schools, healthcare providers, and other partners
• Develop health lesson plans and educational materials
• Deliver group and individual training sessions
• Create promotional materials articles, and tip sheets
• Prominent Employment Sectors
• Government
• Nonprofit
• Educational/Research Systems
• Average Salary
• $50,000 - $90,000
• Hiring Trends
• Preparation for Career Area

People working in Health System Management focus on improving customer satisfaction at hospitals, medical centers, and healthcare-related organizations through analyzing operations, conducting needs assessments, evaluating performance, and implementing policies and procedures.

• Sample Job Titles
• Health Services Manager
• Hospital Administrator
• Clinical Systems Administration Manager
• Administrative Specialist
• Quality Improvement Specialist
• Medicaid Health Systems Administrator
• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Enhance customer satisfaction and improve processes
• Monitor customer service metrics and identify opportunities for service improvement
• Coordinate the development of policies and procedures and ensure adherence to policies and procedures
• Optimize clinical system capabilities and remediate system errors
• Lead planning process to establish goals for quality care, employee retention and training, and financial performance
• Conduct needs assessments, survey evaluations, focus groups, and data collection and analyze data related to access, rates, and service utilization
• Prepare annual budgets
• Prominent Employment Sectors
• Health Systems
• Average Salary
• $75,000 - $140,000
• Hiring Trends
• Preparation for Career Area

Individuals working in Health & Environmental Consulting analyze and interpret data in order to generate predictions and provide recommendations for clients on how to best implement health & environmental procedures and meet regulatory requirements.

• Sample Job Titles
• Health and Safety Consultant
• Clinical Strategy Consultant
• Environmental Consultant
• Public Health Prevention Consultant
• Organizational Development Consultant
• Business Consultant
• Diversity Equity Consultant
• Health Education Consultant
• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Utilize data analysis to develop strategy and decision recommendations
• Perform predictive and analytics modeling to generate market insights and forecast models
• Provide advice and consultations about enhancing programs
• Interpret client-specific data and deliver analysis and strategies to client
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Prominent Employment Sectors
• Private
• Average Salary
• $80,000 - $170,000
• Hiring Trends
• Preparation for Career Area

People working in Individualized Client & Patient Care assess client health and provide coaching, education, and treatment plans in order to support an individual’s recovery, healing, or treatment process.

• Sample Job Titles
• Registered Dietitian
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Health and Wellness Coach
• Case Manager
• Genetic Counselor
• Clinical Nutritionist
• Public Health Nurse
• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Provide coaching, education, and care to patients and their families/caregivers
• Oversee treatment services and coordination with supportive services staff
• Conduct patient interviews to gather information about client characteristics, history, and support system
• Assess client health, environment, nutrition and behaviors using a variety of assessments
• Develop treatment plans and provide community support activities
• Prominent Employment Sectors
• Health Systems
• Non-profit
• Average Salary
• $45,000 - $100,000
• Hiring Trends
• Preparation for Career Area