The jobs available in public health continue to expand as private, research and nonprofit organizations play a more active role in community well-being and corporate responsibility. While there are positions in public health organizations that require minimal education, here are some employment opportunities that require candidates to have a master's degree with specialized training.
Related Resource: 50 Most Affordable Master in Public Health Degree Programs 2018
Analytics Consultant
Some nonprofit organizations are dedicated to helping communities end various health problems related to poverty and homelessness. Analytics consultants use systems thinking approach and local research data to inform organizational design and improve performance. Analytics consultants help communities empower themselves with the tools and information to strategically end assigned issues.
Analytics consultants may oversee systems evaluation to measure performance and cost-effectiveness compared with alternative programs. Some analytics consultants provide data collection and analysis services and research planning to identify specific policies and processes that result in certain groups having higher rates of target health problems. Those who are employed by hospitals must be familiar with primary care practices to create comprehensive patient-centered care programs.
Program Director
Program directors may work in private, nonprofit and government organizations. They provide leadership and oversight through support and direction of policies, protocols, communications and cross-functional activities. Their program management duties may include developing and monitoring operations to ensure outcomes are achieved, budgets are accurate and regulatory and organizational standards are met.
Program directors often provide team management guidance through daily supervision of staff. They ensure their teams are competent, fully engaged and delivering quality services and results. Some executive program directors are in charge of agency stewardship and development, so they may identify new opportunities, funding sources, community partners and contract stakeholders. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this role to grow faster than average over the coming years.
Health Promotion Strategist
Health promotion strategists help determine company-wide policies and priorities that are consistent with the organization's mission and objectives. They may recommend policy solutions to ameliorate chronic diseases and related risk factors in the community. This usually involves education and prevention efforts for issues like poor nutrition, physical inactivity, toxic exposure and alcohol and drug use.
Health promotion strategists may work for county and state health departments to enforce state policies and raise awareness of current campaigns. Those who are employed by community-based organizations may supplement government inefficiencies through developing and implementing innovative promotions and interactive communication plans.
Health Policy Specialist
Health policy specialists are usually employed by the county or state to promote and support specific programs. These could focus on tobacco control, obesity prevention, medical home programs or group-based disease prevention. These professionals must have excellent communication skills because they must constantly explain program processes, use visual aids and cite data in charts and graphs.
Health policy specialists will engage in evidence-based policy and service planning, development, monitoring and evaluation. They will likely manage grant funded programs and projects. They need strong social skills to cultivate effective relationships and collaborate with various agencies in order to achieve shared goals.
Public health jobs all revolve around analytical activities, investigative research and community services. Most of these jobs are limited to those with bachelor's and master's degrees in public health and related fields.