Career of Environmental Health Specialist - Report Example

ENG 211 DE Formal Report – Work Plan Specific Audience for this report by s Career Consultants Incorporated 2. Purpose for the report based on the scenario: This formal report will provide basic information about the career field of environmental health specialist, in order to help them assist other consultants who work as career advisors. It will provide them information regarding the occupational outlook for graduates of environmental health. 3. Career field to be researched: Environmental health specialist 4. Research sources McMichael, A.J., Friel, S., Nyong, A., and Corvalan, C. (2008) Global environmental change and health: Impacts, inequalities, and the health sector, British Medical Journal, 336 (7637), 191-194. Miller, F.W., Alfredsson, L., Kostenbader, K.H., Kamen, D.L., Nelson, L.M., Norris, J.M., and De Roos, A.J. (2012) Epidemiology of environmental exposures and human autoimmune diseases: Findings from a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences expert panel workshop, Journal of Autoimmunity, 39 (4), 259-271. McMichael, A.J., Neira, M., Bertollini, R., Campbell-Lendrum, D., and Hales, H. (2009) Climate change: A time of need and opportunity for the health sector, Lancet, Retrieved from http://wwwlive.who.int/globalchange/news/our_lancet_viewpoint.pdf Pleil, J.D. (2008) Role of exhaled breath biomarkers in environmental health science, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Science, Part B, 11: 613-629. 5. Information to be provided to Consultants: Definition of career Environmental health science has been defined as “the study of the linkage from environmental pollution sources to eventual adverse health outcomes” (Pleil, 2008, p.613). Education requirements The education requirement is an authentic degree in environmental health science that incorporates “exposure assessment,” which is learned under the environmental discipline and “health effects,” which comes under the discipline of medical science (Pliel, 2008, p.613). Occupation information As “public health and medical science are becoming inextricably linked through the study of environmental factors”, this occupation relates with the identification and cure of exposure-linked human health changes (Pliel, 2008, p.615). The duties of an environmental health professional include, apart from diagnosing and treating environmental health problems, “promoting public understanding, monitoring and reporting the health effects of environmental change, and proposing and advocating local adaptive responses” (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.193). Personality types Professionals with social and environmental awareness and commitment are good for this profession (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.193). Placement opportunities The major opportunities in this sector have been evolving from the adverse impacts of climate and other environmental changes (McMichael, Neira, Bertollini, Campbell-Lendrum and Hales, 2009, p.1). Health inequalities caused by environmental pollution are on the rise and “health professionals have a vital contributory role in preventing and reducing the health effects of global environmental change” (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.191). Hence this career field presents placement opportunities in almost all industries and institutions. 6. Additional Resources a) The website, www.environcorp.com b) The government website, www.dhhs.ne.gov.com c) The Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program of the government in California. d) National Environmental Health Association and their website, www.neha.org e) Environmental Health Services Program f) Environmental health specialist registration norms of different state governments g) Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, UK 7. Graphics An instance of environmental health assessment: Environmental Health Specialist job trends: Alcoa-Köfém Environmental, Health and Safety Strategy: A graphical model Cover Page A Guide to Career of Environmental Health Specialist Prepared for: Career Consultants Incorporated Prepared by: Name Designation Address Date Letter of Transmittal Career Consultants Incorporated (Address) Dear Mr. ….., As you requested on -----(date), enclosed is the information on the career field, environmental health specialist. This report explains different aspects of the occupation and career potential of environmental health specialists. This includes, the definitions, occupation information and placement opportunities. While this report has drawn heavily from my professional expertise in the field of career counseling, I have also been careful to include a review of the current trends in the field and the latest career directions involved. I have included a list of references in the end, which are the best and latest sources available on the topic. Hence you can rest assured that you are getting information as highly updated as possible. This report is also as comprehensive as possible given the time span allotted to prepare it. You will find this information highly useful and up to date in fulfilling your consultancy needs. In case a need arises to have more relevant information, you can contact me at -----(phone number). It was a pleasurable experience to prepare this well-researched report for you and I look forward to working with you again. Sincerely, Name Designation. A GUIDE TO CAREER OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST 1.0 INTRODUCTION Environmental health science is a career field that has many application areas. Its main function is to provide health care and diagnosis in the backdrop of environmental changes and human exposure to them 1.1 Purpose This completed report is prepared for Career Consultants Incorporated. This report will provide basic information about the career field of environmental health specialist, in order to help them assist other consultants who work as career advisors. It will provide them information regarding the occupational outlook for graduates of environmental health. 1.2 Definition and explanation of the career field Environmental health science has been defined as “the study of the linkage from environmental pollution sources to eventual adverse health outcomes” (Pleil, 2008, p.613). This field of science has become necessary because: Human actions are changing many of the world’s natural environmental systems, including the climate system. These systems are intrinsic to life processes and fundamental to human health, and their disruption and depletion make it more difficult to tackle health inequalities. Indeed, we will not achieve the UN millennium development health goals if environmental destruction continues (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.193). The most affected people will be the most disadvantaged ones as well just because there is an existing imbalance of access to environmental health safety between the rich and the poor people of the world. In this backdrop, Pascal, Viso, Medina, Delmas, and Beaudeau (2012) have pointed to the rising demand for incorporating a “climate change perspective” into the public health surveillance, a prospect that will create immense opportunities for environmental health professionals. 1.3 Educational program information The profession of environment health specialist necessitates that “students interested in becoming an environmental health specialist should take high school courses in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, English, literature, computer skills, and health occupations/medical professions education” (“Environmental Health Specialist”, 2002-2004). The candidates for the environmental health sciences course must have a high school diploma or any equivalent qualification (“Environmental Health Specialist”, 2002-2004). The educational opportunities include: A bachelor’s degree in environmental health, but some have a degree in a related field such as biological/chemical sciences or environmental engineering. Career opportunities can be greatly advanced by earning a master’s or doctoral degree in this specialty. Optional certification may be obtained through the National Environmental Health Association (“Environmental Health Specialist”, 2002-2004). 1.4 Occupational information As “public health and medical science are becoming inextricably linked through the study of environmental factors”, this occupation relates with the identification and cure of exposure-linked human health changes (Pliel, 2008, p.615). The duties of an environmental health professional include, apart from diagnosing and treating environmental health problems, “promoting public understanding, monitoring and reporting the health effects of environmental change, and proposing and advocating local adaptive responses” (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.193). It is clear that apart from the medical angle, there is also a social angle to this career field. During the year 2012, the career opportunities for this field have been found to improve by around 10% (“Environmental Health Specialist”, 2002-2004). It is also observed, as the job opportunities in this career field abound in local, state, and federal agencies, there is a good level of job security (“Environmental Health Specialist”, 2002-2004). Every nation in the world has been creating new environmental protection laws day by day and this offers a vast job market for environmental health professionals (“Environmental Health Specialist”, 2002-2004). The average annual salary for this profession is, $45,656. The working conditions vary according to the specialized field that is selected by the candidate within this career field. For example, one can specialize in air and water pollution, food safety, occupational health or any similar specialized areas. There can also be job opportunities in hospitals, private industries and NGOs. The major opportunities in this sector have been evolving from the adverse impacts of climate and other environmental changes (McMichael, Neira, Bertollini, Campbell-Lendrum and Hales, 2009, p.1). Health inequalities caused by environmental pollution are on the rise and “health professionals have a vital contributory role in preventing and reducing the health effects of global environmental change” (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.191). Hence this career field presents placement opportunities in almost all industries and institutions. 1.5 Personality types Professionals with social and environmental awareness and commitment are the personality type suitable for this career field (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.193). Knight (2011) has listed the desirable personality features of a successful environmental health specialist as” Positive attitude; versatility and flexibility; practical perspective and common sense; strong principles and ethics; practitioner integrity; strong work ethic; tenacity; willingness to learn; focus on fair solutions; collaborative spirit; willingness to embrace change; involvement with community; calmness during conflict; understanding of other points of view; ability to observe; focus on team accomplishments; appropriate appearance and body language; ability to lead; big-picture perspective; respect for diversity; knowledge of when to ask for help. 1.6 Placement opportunities Schug, Barouki, Gluckman, Grandjean, Hanson, and Heindel (2012) have stated that “environmental exposures leads to altered programming and, thereby, to increased susceptibility to disease or dysfunction later in life.” It is also revealed by this study that “developmental toxicity” is an area of specialization in environmental health field that offers huge potential for application in various areas and future research. The major opportunities in this sector have been evolving from the adverse impacts of climate and other environmental changes (McMichael, Neira, Bertollini, Campbell-Lendrum and Hales, 2009, p.1). Health inequalities caused by environmental pollution are on the rise and “health professionals have a vital contributory role in preventing and reducing the health effects of global environmental change” (McMichael, Friel, Nyong, and Corvalan, 2008, p.191). Hence this career field presents placement opportunities in almost all industries and institutions. 1.7 General information The National Environmental Health Association (2012) has listed a number of specialized job opportunities in this career field. These include, Certified Installer of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Healthy Homes Specialist, Certified Professional- Food Safety, Certified Environmental Health Technician, Registered Hazardous Substances Professional, and so on. It is a proven fact that environmental health professionals like those who work as occupational medicine physicians, face a need to do an increased level of non-clinical work and this indicates their increased social role (Harber, Bontemps, Saechao, Wu, Liu, and Elsashoff, 2012, p.1329). Certain graphical representations that depict the nature of this career field, its growth through years, and the areas that it needs to cover are given as an appendix in the end of this paper. References “Environmental Health Specialist”, (2002-2004) Retrieved from http://www.mshealthcareers.com/careers/environmentalhealthspecialist.htm Harber, P. Bontemps, J. Saechao, K. Wu, Liu, and Elsashoff, S (2012) Career paths in occupational medicine, Journal of Occupational Environmental Medicine, 54 (11), 1324-9. Knight, M. (2011) Pay it forward….career assistance in the environmental health field, Journal of Environmental Health, 74 (4), 4-5. McMichael, A.J., Friel, S., Nyong, A., and Corvalan, C. (2008) Global environmental change and health: Impacts, inequalities, and the health sector, British Medical Journal, 336 (7637), 191-194. Miller, F.W., Alfredsson, L., Kostenbader, K.H., Kamen, D.L., Nelson, L.M., Norris, J.M., and De Roos, A.J. (2012) Epidemiology of environmental exposures and human autoimmune diseases: Findings from a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences expert panel workshop, Journal of Autoimmunity, 39 (4), 259-271. McMichael, A.J., Neira, M., Bertollini, R., Campbell-Lendrum, D., and Hales, H. (2009) Climate change: A time of need and opportunity for the health sector, Lancet, Retrieved from http://wwwlive.who.int/globalchange/news/our_lancet_viewpoint.pdf National Environmental Health Association, (2012) Credentials, Retrieved from http://www.neha.org/credential/ Pascal M, Viso A.C, Medina S, Delmas M.C, and Beaudeau P. (2012) How can a climate change perspective be integrated into public health surveillance?, Journal of Public Health, 126 (8), 660-7. Pleil, J.D. (2008) Role of exhaled breath biomarkers in environmental health science, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Science, Part B, 11: 613-629. Schug TT, Barouki R, Gluckman P, Grandjean P, Hanson M, and Heindel JJ. (2012) PPTOX III: Environmental stressors in the developmental origins of disease: Evidence and mechanisms, Toxicology Science, Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22956631 Appendix 1: Additional Information h) The website, www.environcorp.com i) The government website, www.dhhs.ne.gov.com j) The Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program of the government in California. k) National Environmental Health Association and their website, www.neha.org l) Environmental Health Services Program m) Environmental health specialist registration norms of different state governments n) Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, UK Appendix 2: Graphical Representations An instance of environmental health assessment: Environmental Health Specialist job trends: Alcoa-Köfém Environmental, Health and Safety Strategy: A graphical model Read More