The list of Job Classifications is meant to serve as a generic listing of all Public Health positions. These Job Classifications are organized under the principle underlying skill set required to do these public health jobs. For example, a Health Educator’s underlying skill set is Communication/Counseling/Education. Each Functional Role in a response team is assigned an underlying skill set and a list of public health positions. Since many public health staff have multiple skill sets, a particular job classification may fall under a number of skills sets depending on the specific functional position being filled. For example, a Registered/Public Health Nurse is listed in the overall scheme as being under the Clinical skill set. However, for many functional positions falling under the Communication/Counseling/Education skill set a nurse could function quite well and would be included in the listing.
Public Health Departments will be aware of the skills and abilities of the staff in their Departments and will generally be able to identify those individuals who best meet the skills sets required for a particular functional position.
Administrative Assistant/Office Specialist
Performs a variety of routine and clerical tasks, including maintaining records, scheduling meetings, processing correspondence, preparing documents, and providing service to callers and visitors.
Financial Assistant/Account Clerk
Assist in tracking and maintaining accounting databases and procedures such as payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and expenditure tracking. Requires extensive data entry, records tracking and filing, and preparing fiscal reports/documents.
Office Mgr./Administrative Support Officer
Directs, plans, and implements administrative and office management clerical systems and processes; oversees the daily administrative operations within a department, including the supervision of administrative and clerical staff.
Environmental Health Specialist
In accordance with biological, chemical, and public health principles, identifies control, eliminates, and/or prevents environmental health hazards. May provide technical assistance to the public on environmental guidelines and safety.
Environmental Health Technician
Assists Environmental Specialists and other environmental health professionals in the control, elimination, and/or prevention of environmental health hazards. May collect data and implement environmental health procedures or programs.
Epidemiologist
Performs epidemiological investigations, conducts disease surveillance and analysis of health data to plan and implement disease prevention and control programs
Health Care Analyst/Planner
Conducts assessments, analysis, and evaluations of systems for the development of health programs, resources, and services. Makes recommendations to improve services; implements policies and procedures relating to healthcare and cost analysis.
Health Assistant: Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Medical Assistant
Assists licensed health care providers, such as physicians and registered nurses, in patient care and monitoring through preparation of therapeutic treatment, organization and preparation of medical charts and forms, and/or direct patient follow-up. May assist in areas of clinical, mental, or public health.
Laboratory Scientist/Microbiologist
Performs complex microbiological tests, including serological and biochemical analysis of specimens. May assist in public health planning and supervising laboratory operations.
Laboratory Technician
Performs a variety of routine and standardized laboratory testing procedures, including various microbiological, serological, and biochemical assays. Assist in maintenance of laboratory equipment and supplies.
Pharmacist
Under state and federal regulations and professional practice standards, select, prepare and distribute drugs, chemicals, solutions, and medical materials. In cooperation with healthcare providers, provide clinical judgments necessary for proper utilization and administration of medications. Serve as a resource for patients in medication education.
Pharmacy Technician
Under the direction of a registered pharmacist, perform routine tasks related to receiving, dispensing, distributing, packaging, and labeling of pharmaceutical products. May assist in dispensing prescriptions and other pharmaceutical materials to individuals, groups, or to the community at large.
Physician
A licensed medical doctor provides healthcare services in various areas, such as general/family medicine, preventative health, occupational health, public health, and other clinical services.
Psychiatrist
A licensed professional who examines and diagnoses mental patients; prescribes the appropriate clinical or psychiatric medications and performs frequent evaluations of patient response to treatment.
Registered Nurse/Public Health Nurse
A licensed medical professional who coordinates and implements patient treatment plans, which include patient assessments, utilizing data to formulate diagnosis, and evaluates patients’ response to care provided. May be responsible for core public health functions for the community, including conducting assessments, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services. Provides leadership, medical care, and case management to individuals, families and groups in a community setting.
Therapists (behavioral, physical, occupational, recreational, speech)
A medical professional who assesses and evaluates clients, develops treatment plans, and implements appropriate treatment/therapeutic procedures in consultation with other medical professionals.
Health Educator
Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates educational programs and special projects which impact the health practices of various community groups, including individuals, families, and community based organizations.
Mental Health Professional
May design, implement, and evaluate programs which promote and/or improve mental health for individuals, groups, and community organizations. May provide mental health advice and/or education to individuals or groups.
Nutritionist
Conducts needs assessments, plans, promotes, implements, and evaluates nutrition programs and projects. Implements public health protocols and policies for nutrition services in health and disease prevention. Provides expertise and advocacy for nutrition issues and programs.
Psychologist
A licensed professional who provides counseling, psychotherapy, case management and treatment to individuals, groups, and families. This is PhD level position.
Social Worker
Provides direct social services to members of the community, including counseling, crisis intervention, and implementation of community programs. Manages caseload, consults and communicates with partnering agencies to design effective treatment for clients.
Communicable Disease Investigator/Disease Intervention Specialist
Responsibilities include field investigations to locate the source of and limit the spread of communicable or chronic diseases. Duties may entail patient interviews, counseling, education, and assistance to patients in receiving treatment and/or other health services.
Community Outreach Worker/Public Health Worker
Acts as a liaison with community residents and provides assistance, including medical support services, to community residents and professional staff either in the field or clinic. May also serve as a language interpreter.
Messenger/Driver
Operates an automotive vehicle for the collection and delivery of mail, records, supplies, and other materials between Public Health offices to other institutions.
Information Systems Specialist
Manages, implements, supports, troubleshoots, and maintains the department information operating system. Requires complex technical duties that involve knowledge of both hardware and software support, equipment upgrades, installation, and repairs.
Emergency Planner/Coordinator
Coordinates and monitors emergency medical services and disaster services. Works closely with healthcare providers, public safety, communications personnel, and other community members.
Finance Manager/Accountant
Manages accounting procedures and systems to ensure efficiency and accuracy. Prepares and reviews various financial reports, budgets, payroll, and other fiscal processes.
Health Officer/Deputy Health Officer/Medical Officer
A licensed medical doctor who provides health leadership to the community and is responsible for assessing community health status and safety in accordance with Health and Safety Codes. May be subject to administrative and legislative determination of public health policies.
Manager: Director/Executive/Senior Manager
Plans, organizes, and directs the operations, activities, and services of a department; formulates and maintains policies; develops and maintains budget and other fiscal matters; oversees program management staff and other personnel.
Manager: Program
Plans, organizes, and directs programmatic aspects of a department, including setting goals and performing evaluations of programs and special projects. Manages and supervises program staff; manages program budgets and may implement new policies.
Public Information Officer (PIO)/Risk Communication Officer
Acts as lead and liaison to members of the media and is responsible for providing prompt, scripted, and organized responses to news media. Coordinates information and strategies with other PIOs of partnering agencies. Also provides updated information and media concerns to the Health Officer and other Public Health Management staff.
Public Relations/Public Information/Media Specialist
Under supervision of a PIO, assists in responding to media needs; coordinates and manages on-site media activity; generates fact sheets, flyers and web updates; monitors communication of all news media outlets; and facilitates media interactions to provide information to partnering agencies and community groups.
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