Public health workers represent a vital part of the healthcare industry. It promotes healthy environments and lifestyle choices in local communities. Whereas medical professionals such as physicians and nurses focus on the treatment of ailments, public health officials work to prevent illnesses by regulating food production and distribution, providing vaccinations, educating the public on health-related subjects, conducting medical research and doing other crucial work. Here are a few examples of the jobs available in public health.
Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) play a crucial role in saving lives every day. The first responders, commonly referred to as paramedics, transport patients to hospitals, often while administering life-saving care. EMTs are clinicians and must have specialized training before being qualified to respond to medical emergencies. There are currently more than 261,000 EMTs and paramedics in the United States, and the median pay for the field was $36,930 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment growth for EMTs is projected at 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average growth for all occupations.
Health Educators
Health educators work to improve the health of individuals, groups of employees and communities through education. They work in a variety of environments ranging from doctors’ offices to private businesses, educational institutions and community settings. Health educators are often tasked with collecting and analyzing data and then communicating the findings.
Health educators also play an essential role in educating the community about diseases and viruses, prevention methods and the safety and efficacy of vaccines and treatments. This is crucial for mitigating the impacts of local and global public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The median pay for this field was $48,860 per year in 2021, according to BLS. Job growth for health educators is projected at 17% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than average.
Community Health Worker
Community health workers (CHWs) work closely with the communities they serve to help them gain access to the health and social services they need. They also work to improve the cultural competence and quality of those services. Education, outreach and advocacy are also critical job functions.
CHWs commonly work in the communities where they live. They travel within the community, connecting with residents in homes, healthcare facilities and community centers. Some states, including Texas, offer certifications for community health workers.
BLS groups community health workers with health educators, so the median salary data is the same at $48,860 per year in 2021.
Patient/Healthcare Navigator
As the healthcare system becomes increasingly complex, more patients are getting lost along the way. Not knowing the next steps at any point in the process can have grave consequences. Enter patient navigators, also known as healthcare navigators or, in specific roles, health insurance navigators. These healthcare workers provide a range of services, including helping with insurance issues, explaining diagnoses and treatment options, accompanying patients to doctor visits and much more. Health insurance navigators became widely known, trusted and relied upon resources with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.
According to ZipRecruiter, healthcare navigators make an average salary of $45,568, as of July 2022.
Lifestyle Educator
The role of lifestyle educators can overlap with that of health educators. But lifestyle educators focus more on helping individuals and groups make positive lifestyle and behavioral choices to prevent negative consequences. They also work with people to change unhealthy behaviors to improve their overall health — often helping them replace negative habits with positive habits. After making assessments, they implement instructional objectives and counseling strategies to improve and maintain healthy lifestyles. They are also advocates who work to coordinate health and social services for those they serve.
According to Glassdoor, lifestyle educators make an average base salary of $50,214 annually (July 2022). But additional compensation can add substantially to this figure.
Gain the Skills for a Career in Public Health Through UTA’s Online Program
A Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) is the first step toward these careers and more. The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) offers an online BSPH that students can complete in less than two years. The degree includes a course (Preparation for the Public Health Workforce) that prepares students for a career in public health by partnering with UTA’s career services department. The online BSPH is taught by UTA faculty and is based on the most recent scientific findings and methodologies.
Whether educating the public on the efficacy of vaccinations, creating health interventions for public schools or providing better access to local health services and resources, public health workers improve the quality of life for those in their communities. They share a passion for serving others, using their knowledge and experience to create healthy workspaces and environments.
If you are passionate about helping others and improving the quality of life of those around you, an is the first step toward these and other public health professions.
Learn more about The University of Texas at Arlington online Bachelor of Science in Public Health program.
