Job Responsibilities of Differing Public Health Workers

1
Job Responsibilities of Differing Public Health
Workers

• Jeff Johnson
• ENPH 785 - Graduate Seminar
• April 28, 2004

2
Overview

• Public Health Positions
• Description
• Job Duties / Work Environment
• Qualifications
• Questions (?)

3
Public Health Positions

• Registered Sanitarian
• Industrial Hygienist
• Public Health Director / Advisor
• Public Health Inspector
• Technician
• Scientist
• Policy Maker

4
Registered Sanitarian

• Description what is a registered sanitarian?
• An individual who, through education, training
  or experience in the natural sciences and their
  application and through technical knowledge of
  prevention and control of preventable diseases,
  is capable of applying environmental control
  measures so as to protect human health, safety
  and welfare. s. 250.05(1)(b), Wis. Stats.
• Many States in the U.S. have legal descriptions
  of a registered sanitarian

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Registered Sanitarian (cont.)

• Job Duties - overview
• Varies
• Usually work in a selected field(s)
• Work with a team of REHS/RSs
• RSs work in the public and private sectors.
• Many are employed by state and local government
  in regulatory programs.
• NEHA Examination

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Registered Sanitarian (cont.)

• National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)
  / Registered Sanitarian (RS)
• Examination http//www.neha.org/pdf/cred/rehs_web
  .pdf
• Encompasses 14 specific areas in EH

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Registered Sanitarian (cont.)

• NEHA REHS/RS Exam Topics
• Food Protection
• Wastewater
• Solid and Hazardous Waste
• Potable Water
• Institutions and LicensedEstablishments
• Vectors, Pests, and Weeds
• Swimming Pools and Recreational Facilities

• Statutes and Regulations
• Housing
• Hazardous Materials
• Radiation Protection
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Air Quality and Noise
• Disaster Sanitation

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Registered Sanitarian (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Managing programs that enforce applicable state
  administrative codes for the inspection and
  licensure of the following programs
• All food service operations including
  restaurants, food vending operations and
  temporary restaurants.
• All lodging establishments including hotels, bed
  and breakfast establishments, and tourist rooming
  houses.

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Registered Sanitarian (cont.)

• Job Duties
• All public pools, including whirlpools and water
  recreational attractions.
• All campgrounds and educational campgrounds.
• All tattoo and body piercing establishments.
• Processing applications for renewals for the
  aforementioned programs
• Processing certifications and renewals
• Testing and registering food contact surface
  sanitizers

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Registered Sanitarian (cont.)

• Qualifications
• Dependent on Job
• Education / Training
• Experience
• Registered Sanitarian title requires passing of
  examination
• National or State Agency examination
• Defined under State Statutes

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Registered Sanitarian (cont.)

• Interesting Internet Links
• NEHA http//www.neha.org/
• WEHA http//www.weha.net/home/index.htm
• DHFS http//www.dhfs.state.wi.us/

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Industrial Hygienist

• Description
• Industrial - practicing in a work or factory
  setting
• Hygiene comes from the area of practice
  relating to cleanliness, sanitation, or health
• Industrial Hygienist (IH) is a professional who
  is dedicated to the health and well-being of the
  worker
• Also relates to expansion of workplace to areas
  of the community outside the traditional place of
  employment

ABIH, 2004
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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• 16 Technical Areas of IH
• Basic Science
• Biohazards
• Biostatistics and Epidemiology
• Engineering Controls
• Non-engineering Controls
• Ergonomics
• Ethics and Management
• Analytical chemistry
• Sampling, Monitoring andInstrumentation

• Noise and Vibration
• Ionizing Radiation
• Nonionizing radiation
• Regulations, Standards, and Guidelines
• Thermal and Pressure Stressors
• Toxicology
• General IH topics

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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• Job Duties
• IHs work in the public and private sectors
• Domains of Practice
• Recognition of a hazard
• Evaluation of the stressors
• Control of the situation
• Industrial hygiene management

ABIH, 2004
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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• Job Duties
• The goal of the industrial hygienist is to keep
  workers, their families, and the community
  healthy and safe.
• They play a vital part in ensuring that federal,
  state, and local laws and regulations are
  followed in the work environment.

AIHA, 2004
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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Investigating and examining the workplace for
  hazards and potential dangers
• Making recommendations on improving the safety of
  workers and the surrounding community
• Conducting scientific research to provide data on
  possible harmful conditions in the workplace
• Developing techniques to anticipate and control
  potentially dangerous situations in the workplace
  and the community

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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Training and educating the community about
  job-related risks
• Advising government officials and participating
  in the development of regulations to ensure the
  health and safety of workers and their families
• Ensuring that workers are properly following
  health and safety procedures

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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• Job Duties
• OSHA Industrial Hygienist position description
• Inspections
• Maintains, calibrates, operates, and reads
  sampling and measuring devices
• Performs selected laboratory analyses
• Interprets laboratory results
• Writes reports - inspection data collected and
  analytical results

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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• Qualifications
• Dependent on Job
• Education / Training
• Experience
• Anyone can be an IH
• Can become certified CIH by examination
• Examination requires 5 years of experience
• Continuing active practice

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Industrial Hygienist (cont.)

• Interesting Internet Links
• ABIH http//www.abih.org
• AIHA http//www.aiha.org/
• OSHA http//www.osha.gov
• ACGIH http//www.acgih.org/home.htm

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Public Health Director/Advisor

• Description
• What is a public health?
• The mission of public health is to fulfill
  society's interest in assuring conditions in
  which people can be healthy.
• Organized, interdisciplinary efforts that
  address the physical, mental and environmental
  health concerns of communities and populations at
  risk for disease and injury.

ASPH, 2004
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Public Health D/A (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Identify health problems and priorities through
  assessment and monitoring
• Formulate public policies
• Solve identified local and national health
  problems and priorities
• Assuring all populations have access to
  appropriate and cost-effective care
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of care given

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Public Health D/A (cont.)

• Job Duties Top Ten Services
• Monitor health status to identify community
  health problems
• Diagnose and investigate health problems and
  health hazards in the community
• Inform, educate, and empower people about health
  issues
• Mobilize community partnerships to identify and
  solve health problems
• Develop policies and plans that support
  individual and community health efforts

ASPH, 2004
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Public Health D/A (cont.)

• Job Duties Top Ten Services (cont.)
• Enforce laws and regulations that protect health
  and ensure safety
• Link people to needed personal health services
  and assure the provision of health care when
  otherwise unavailable
• Assure a competent public health and personal
  health care workforce
• Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and
  quality of personal and population-based health
  services
• Research for new insights and innovative
  solutions to health problems

ASPH, 2004
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Public Health D/A(cont.)

• Job Duties - various agencies
• Position Descriptions WDH
• Program Management Experience
• Manages a specific public health program
• Provides support and direction to public and
  private agencies on the management and
  administration of public health programs
• Leads professional/technical staff in a public
  health program or survey team of public health
• Serves as a technical specialist on public health
  issues

Department of Health, State of Washington, 2004
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Public Health D/A(cont.)

• Job Duties - various agencies
• Position Descriptions DHHS
• Serves as the recognized authority or consultant
  for one or more programs, studies, or activities
• Consider social, economic, cultural,
  governmental, and/or political implications
• Program variables poverty, political
  instability, insect vectors, health care delivery
  in developing countries, antibiotic resistance,
  human behavior, and government medical policies
• Serves as the HQ program consultant/manager

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
2004
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Public Health D/A(cont.)

• Job Duties - various agencies
• Position Descriptions DHHS (cont.)
• Provides advice and assistance in the development
  and implementation of procedures, methods, and
  strategies using data which describe the
  prevalence of major health risks from the overall
  program or study effort
• Evaluates and analyzes assigned jurisdiction's
  data collection, quality control, and data
  utilization methods
• Serves as focal point for information on
  legislative or executive actions affecting
  program or study activities
• Reviews congressional and other legislative
  actions, recommends appropriate field
  participation or involvement

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
2004
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Public Health D/A(cont.)

• Job Duties - various agencies
• Position Descriptions Plumas County
• Plan, organize, direct, manage, and supervise
  public health programs
• Develops and recommends Department goals,
  objectives and policies
• Direct the enforcement of Federal, State, and
  local health laws and regulations
• Direct staff providing public health and
  education programs
• Represent department activities, programs, and
  services with community organizations and
  government agencies

Plumas County - California, Public Health
Services Department, 2001
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Public Health D/A(cont.)

• Job Duties - various agencies
• Position Descriptions Plumas County (cont.)
• Prepares and administers the Department budgets
• Hires, supervises, evaluates, and insures proper
  training of Department staff
• Initiates appropriate epidemiological
  investigations of communicable disease outbreaks
• Provides health information to the public

Plumas County - California, Public Health
Services Department, 2001
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Public Health D/A(cont.)

• Qualifications
• Dependent on job
• BS, MS, or PhD varying experience
• Program Management Experience
• No direct certification or license to practice

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Public Health Inspector

• Description
• What is a public health inspector
• They safeguard the environment and health of the
  public.
• Investigate and correct health hazards in a
  community

Edunetconnect, 2004
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Public Health Inspector (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Assessing sanitary conditions in various private
  and public locations
• Restaurants, schools, food processing plants,
  biomedical waste disposal systems, hotels and
  motels, child care and long term care facilities,
  animal facilities, swimming pools, public beaches
  and recreational camps
• Ensure compliance with regulations and standards
• Recommend issuing licenses and permits
• Investigate reportable diseases

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Public Health Inspector (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Sampling both drinking and recreational water
• Assessing and approving on-site sewage systems
  for private, commercial and industrial
  applications
• Important role in public education and
  consultation
• Enforce public health and environmental
  protection laws

34
Public Health Inspector (cont.)

• Job Duties Working Conditions
• Travel
• Independent
• Hours/Overtime
• Hazardous materials / Infectious sources
• Public contact / Communication
• Inquisitive and decisive,
• Good investigative and observational skills

35
Public Health Inspector (cont.)

• Qualifications
• Strong interest in the applied sciences, and
  desire to serve the community in a practical way
• BS / MS / or PhD varying experience
• Specialization in ENPH, Food Science, Water
  Chemistry
• Certification?
• Drivers license

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Technician

• Description
• What is a technician
• Technician Occupational Health and Safety
  Specialists and Technicians
• Technician Occupational Health and Safety
  Inspectors, Industrial Hygienists, Environmental
  Protection Officers, or Ergonomists

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Technician (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Prevent harm to workers, property, the
  environment, and general public
• Develop safer, healthier, and more efficient ways
  of working
• Analyze work environments and design programs to
  control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury
• Chemical, physical, and biological agents or
  ergonomic factors

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Technician (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Conduct inspections
• Enforce laws, regulations, employer policies
• Collect data on work environments for analysis
• Implement and evaluate programs designed to limit
  risks to workers
• Duties vary by industry, workplace, and types of
  hazards affecting employees

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Technician (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Examine and test machinery and equipment
• Monitor correct use of PPE
• Storage of dangerous materials
• Speaking with workers
• Observing their work
• Inspecting elements in their work environment
• Lighting, tools, and equipment
• Prepare and calibrate scientific equipment

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Technician (cont.)

• Job Duties - Specific Routine
• Identify hazardous conditions and practices
• Develop methods to predict hazards from
  experience, historical data, and other
  information sources
• Systems, equipment, products, facilities, or
  processes planned for use in the future
• Evaluate the probability and severity of
  accidents that may result

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Technician (cont.)

• Job Duties - Specific Routine (cont.)
• Develop and help enforce a plan
• Eliminate hazards
• Conducting training sessions
• Continued surveillance after implementation

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Technician (cont.)

• Job Duties - ACCIDENT!
• If an accident occurs
• Investigate unsafe working conditions
• Study possible causes
• Recommend remedial action
• Communication with management
• Prepare reports
• Observations, analysis of contaminants, and
  recommendation for control/correction of hazards

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Technician (cont.)

• Working Conditions
• Many different people in a variety of
  environments
• May involve some fieldwork/traveling
• Often work long and irregular hours
• Experience unpleasant, stressful, and dangerous
  working conditions

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Technician (cont.)

• Qualifications
• Education, experience, examinations
• Trained in applicable laws/regulations
• Trained in inspection procedures
• Responsible
• Like detailed work
• Communication skills
• Certification OHST http//www.cchest.org

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Scientist

• Description
• What is a scientist
• A person with advanced knowledge of one or more
  sciences
• Biologist (life scientist), chemist, computer
  scientist, geologist, mineralogist,
  oceanographer, physicist, radiological
  technologist, research/investigation scientist,
  and social scientist

thefreedictionary.com, 2004
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Scientist (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Varies
• Similar to others already covered
• Usually focus on a selected field(s)
• Viewed as expert
• Inspections, research, developing guidance,
  provide training

47
Scientist (cont.)

• Qualifications
• BS, MS, PhD
• Public Health / Environmental Science
• Life science biology
• Epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Statistics
• License/Certification
• Utah EHS

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Policy Maker

• Description
• What is a policy maker
• Research and develop policies, strategic policy
  directions, strategic liaisons and operational
  guidelines
• Policy A plan or course of action, as of a
  government, political party, or business,
  intended to influence and determine decisions,
  actions, and other matters.

NSW-DEC, 2003, and Dictionary.com, 2004
49
Policy Maker (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Research, critically evaluate, and analyze both
  short and long term local, national and
  international practices and trends
• Identify emerging issues
• Review the adequacy of existing policy
• Assess and review policies and proposals
• Work closely with any Advisory Units

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Policy Maker (cont.)

• Job Duties
• Liaise, consult and negotiate with those affected
• Establish, maintain and expand a network of
  contacts
• Consider environmental issues and the legal,
  economic, and social factors
• Develop policy briefings
• Drive collaboration
• Monitor and assess effectiveness

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Policy Maker (cont.)

• Work Environment
• Time constraints
• Broad communication
• Teams
• Reading/writing Law language

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Policy Maker (cont.)

• Qualifications
• Understanding of broad environmental issues
• Understanding of the relative structures, roles
  and responsibilities of all levels of government
  and external organizations
• Knowledge of government protocols and procedures
• Knowledge of policy and operational guidance
  development processes

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Policy Maker (cont.)

• Qualifications
• Commitment to ethical work practices
• Developed skills in critical analysis and
  evaluation of policy issues
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in and lead a multi-disciplinary
  team
• Education/Experience

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References

• American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).
  2004. http//www.abih.org/. Website visited on
  April 14, 2004. Website last updated in 2003.
• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).
  2004. http//www.aiha.org/. Website visited on
  April 14, 2004. Website last updated in 2004.
• Canada Career Consortium (CCC). 2004. Public
  Health Inspector. http//www.careerccc.org/ccc/na
  v.cfm. Website visited on April 17, 2004. Website
  last updated in 2004.
• Dictionary.com. 2004. Definition of Policy.
  http//www.dictionary.com. Website visited on
  April 19, 2004. Website last updated in 2004.
• Eau Claire City County Health Department. Ryder,
  Jim Administration. 2004. Position Description
  Environmental Health Specialist II.
  Administration Department, 720 Second Avenue,
  County Courthouse, Eau Claire, WI, (715)
  839-4718. http//www.co.eau-claire.wi.us/health/in
  dex.htm.
• Edunetconnect. 2004. Public Health Inspector.
  http//www.edunetconnect.com/. Baxter
  Publications Inc. Website visited on April 17,
  2004. Website last updated in 2004.
• Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
  (MCEA). 2003. Position Description - Public
  Health Scientist. MCEA, St. Paul, MN.
  http//www.mncenter.org/. Website visited on
  April 19, 2004. Position Description last updated
  (created) on August 29, 2003. Website last
  updated in 2004.
• National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).
  2004. http//www.neha.org/. Website visited on
  April 13, 2004. Website last updated on April 13,
  2004.
• New South Wales Department of Environment and
  Conservation (NSW-DEC). 2003. Position
  Description - Senior Policy Advisor.
  http//www.epa.nsw.gov.au/index.htm. Website
  visited on April 19, 2004. Website last updated
  on March 12, 2004. Position description posted
  (last updated) on March 20, 2003.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA). 2004. http//jobs2.quickhire.com/dol/show?
  viewvacancyjob8044. Position Description
  Industrial Hygienist. Occupational Safety and
  Health Administration, Charleston, West Virginia.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA). 2004. http//www.osha.gov. Website
  visited on April 14, 2004. Website last updated
  April 12, 2004.
• Plumas County California. 2001. Position
  Description Public Health Director 1, 2, 3, and
  4. Plumas County Department of Public Health
  Services. http//www.countyofplumas.com/publicheal
  th/. Website visited on April 17, 2004. Website
  last updated on date unknown.
• State of Washington, Department of Health. 2004.
  Position Description Public Health Advisor 3.
  Washington State Department of Personnel.
  http//hr.dop.wa.gov/. Website visited on April
  17, 2004. Website last updated on April 8, 2004.
• TheFreeDictionary.com. 2004. Definition of
  Scientist. http//www.thefreedictionary.com.
  Website visited on April 19, 2004. Website last
  updated in 2004.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  (US-DHHS). 2004. Position Description Public
  Health Advisor. US-DHHS Public Health Service,
  Centers for Disease Control, National Center for
  Infectious Diseases, Division of Parasitic
  Diseases, Malaria Epidemiology Branch, Atlanta,
  GA. http//www2.cdc.gov/hrmo/. Website visited on
  April 17, 2004. Website last updated on date
  unknown (job posting on March 30, 2004).
• U.S. Department of Labor. 2004. Occupational
  Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians.
  http//stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos017.htm. Website
  visited on April 18, 2004. Website last updated
  on February 27, 2004.
• Utah Division of Occupational and Professional
  Licensing. 2003. Application for Licensure
  Environmental Health Scientist or Environmental
  Health Scientist-in-Training. http//www.dopl.uta
  h.gov/. Website visited on April 19, 2004.
  Website last updated in 2003.
• Utah County Environmental Health Department.
  2004. Position Description Environmental Health
  Scientist. Utah County Government.
  http//www.co.utah.ut.us/. Website visited on
  April 19, 2004. Website last updated in 2002.
• Wabasha County Public Health Services. Barton,
  Judy Community Health Services Administrator.
  Position Description Registered Environmental
  Health Specialist. Wabasha County Health
  Services, 107 East 3rd Street, Wabasha, MN
  55981-1493, [phone]. http//www.co.wabasha.
  mn.us/.

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QUESTIONS ?
Please contact Dr. Crispin Pierce (715-836-5589,
piercech_at_uwec.edu) or Dr. Christine Gabel
(715-836-5590, gabelcl_at_uwec.edu) for further
information on our program.