PowerPoint Presentation
Chapter 35
Occupational Health and Environmental Science
Objectives
Identify types of occupational health and safety specialists.
Describe the role of occupational health and safety technicians.
Define environmental health specialist.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Inspect workplaces for compliance to regulations on safety, health, and the environment.
Design programs to prevent disease or injury to workers and damage to the environment.
Develop and conduct employee safety and training programs.
Work to prevent harm to property, the environment, and the public by inspecting workplaces for chemical, physical, radiological, and biological hazards.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (continued)
Investigate accidents and incidents; identify causes; determine how they might be prevented in the future.
Work closely with occupational health and safety technicians to collect and analyze data in the workplace.
Work with engineers and physicians to control or fix potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
Design and implement procedures to prevent potentially hazardous work conditions.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (continued)
Types of occupational health and safety specialists
Ergonomists
Health physicists
Industrial or occupational hygienists
Education and Training
Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)- qualified bachelor’s and master’s level programs in safety, health and environmental practices
Students who complete a degree that meets BCSP standards are eligible for graduate safety practitioner (GSP) designation; GSP designation is one pathway to sit for the certified safety professional exam.
Education and Training (continued)
Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
A safety professional who has met education and experience standards and successfully completed the certification exam and is authorized by the BCSP to use the CSP designation.
Employment Opportunities
Job opportunities for individuals with advanced degrees are expected to be good.
Candidates with certification may enjoy more job opportunities.
Table 35.1 Projections Data from the National Employment Matrix for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Work closely and often under the supervision of occupational health and safety specialists.
Conduct tests and collect samples and measurements as part of workplace inspections.
Examine and test machinery and equipment, such as scaffolding and lifting devices, to be sure that they meet appropriate safety regulations.
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians (continued)
Test and identify work areas for potential health and safety hazards.
Check that workers are using required protective gear, such as masks and hardhats.
Work with specialists to increase worker productivity.
Check that hazardous materials are stored co
ectly.
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians (continued)
Types of occupational health and safety technicians:
Health physics technicians
Industrial or occupational hygiene technicians
Certification
Construction health and safety technician certification (CHST) requires the applicant to have specific education or experience in construction safety.
Occupational health and safety technologist certification (OHST) is designed for workers who perform occupational health and safety tasks as part of their job duties.
Certification (continued)
Safety trained supervisor (STS) certification is for first-line supervisors or managers and requires 1 year of supervisory experience.
Technicians will be needed to collect and test data to maintain the safety of both workers and the environment.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Environmental health: a
anch of public health concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health.
An environmental health specialist inspects environmental health systems to make sure they are in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations established to keep citizens safe and healthy.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists (continued)
Specialists analyze environmental problems and develop solutions.
Work to reclaim land and water that have been contaminated by pollution.
Assess risks that new construction projects pose to the environment; make recommendations to governments and businesses on how to minimize the environmental impact of these projects.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists (continued)
Specialize in food safety and inspect food processing plants or restaurants.
Research and provide advice on manufacturing practices, such as advising against use of chemicals that harm the environment.
Focus on environmental regulations designed to protect human health.
Focus on regulations designed to minimize society’s impact on the ecosystem.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists (continued)
Types of specialists
Climate change analysts
Environmental restoration planners
Environmental health specialists
Industrial ecologists
Environmental chemists
Education and Certification
National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) is the accrediting agency for environmental health degree programs.
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) offers certification for workers in environmental health.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting health.
Work under the supervision of environmental scientists and specialists, who direct the technicians’ work and evaluate their results.
Inspect businesses and public places, and investigate complaints related to air quality, water quality, and food safety.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians (continued)
May be involved with enforcement of environmental regulations
May protect the environment and people’s health by performing environmental impact studies of new construction or by evaluating the environmental health of sites that may contaminate the environment
Work Environment
Spend most of their time on their feet; can be physically demanding
May work around streams and rivers monitoring the levels of pollution caused by runoff from cities and landfills
May have to use crawl spaces under a house to neutralize natural health risks such as radon
Certification and Opportunities
Can become certified as an environmental health technician (CEHT) by the National Environmental Health Association
Environmental science and protection technicians should have good opportunities for employment.
Job candidates with an associate’s degree and laboratory experience should have the best opportunities.
PowerPoint Presentation
Chapter 23
Health Education
Objectives
Explain the job focus of a health educator.
Compare the job duties of a school health educator and a community health worker.
Describe the types of clients with which an orientation mobility specialist would work.
Identify the goal of behavior analysis.
Health Careers Specializing in Education
Health educators use educational skills and knowledge of public health to educate about health and disease and how to maintain good health, prevent disease, or secure treatment.
Other work titles: health education teachers, patient educator, health coach, community organizer, public health educator, and health program manager
Health Careers Specializing in Education (continued)
Community health workers are support personnel who work with health educators to provide outreach and educate consumers on the importance and availability of healthcare services, such as cancer screening.
School health educators are concerned with the school environment; main concerns are classroom teaching and the factors that influence the knowledge, behavior, attitudes, and practices that affect the health of students.
Health Careers Specializing in Education (continued)
Orientation and mobility specialists and vision rehabilitation therapists work with people who have visual or other impairments.
Behavior analysts provide services to clients who have skill deficits in communication and problem behaviors, such as aggression and self-injury.
Health Educators
Teach people about behaviors that promote wellness.
Develop and implement strategies to improve health of individuals and communities.
Improve public health through community-wide education initiatives on topics from nutrition and fitness, to injury and disease prevention.
Help people make better use of health services, adopt self-care practices, and become active participants in their community's health system.
Health Educators (continued)
Participation of health educators is increasingly in demand due to the changes in the delivery of health care at local, regional, and national levels as a result of the Affordable Care Act.
Health educators may work through a wide variety of intermediaries in the community—teachers, health officers, public health nurses, trade-union program directors, scout leaders, and community group leaders.
Health Educators (continued)
In healthcare facilities, may work one-on-one with patients and families to teach about diagnoses and any treatments or procedures.
In colleges, create programs on topics that affect young adults. May advocate for campus-wide policies to promote health, such as ensuring healthy food options or making it easier for students to report incidences of rape.
Health Educators (continued)
In public health departments, administer public health campaigns on various topics, such as emergency preparedness, immunization, nutrition, or stress management.
In state and local departments of public health, administer state-mandated programs based on priorities and available funding.
May oversee grants and grant-funded programs to improve the public health.
Health Educators (continued)
In nonprofits (including community health organizations), create programs and materials about health issues for the community.
In private businesses and corporations, identify common health problems among employees and create programs to improve health.
Conduct research and evaluate programs.
Health Educators (continued)
Entry-level health educator positions require a bachelor’s degree in health education or public health.
Some employers require health educators to be a certified health education specialist (CHES).
There is also a master certified health education specialist (MCHES) credential for health educators with advanced education and experience.
Health Educators (continued)
Health educators held about 57,020 jobs in 2014.
Employment of health educators is projected to grow 21%.
Growth will be driven by efforts to improve health outcomes and to reduce healthcare costs by teaching people about healthy habits and behaviors and utilization of available healthcare services.
School Health Educators
Help children and adolescents develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed for a healthy life.
Work closely with school physician and nurse, teachers, social workers, dietitians, and food service directors and administrators to develop a health education program for schools.
Usually work in a classroom setting but may travel between classrooms and to other schools in the district.
School Health Educators (continued)
Requires 4 years of college education leading to a bachelor’s degree
Must be licensed and/or certified by the state where the educator is working.
All states require public school teachers to be licensed or certified.
High school teachers typically are awarded a secondary school certification that allows them to teach grades 7–12.
Community Health Workers
Provide a link between the community and health educators and other healthcare workers and develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities.
Collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities.
Work in underprivileged communities where people such as refugees or migrant workers have limited resources and lack access to quality health care.
Community Health Workers (continued)
Have an in-depth knowledge of their community and identify health-related issues.
Collect data and discuss health concerns with community members.
Address ba
iers to care and provide refe
als for needs: food, housing, education, and mental health services.
Community Health Workers (continued)
Work in a variety of settings: hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government, doctors’ offices, private businesses and corporations, and colleges.
May spend much of their time in the field, speaking with community members and holding events.
May need to work nights and weekends to attend programs or meetings.
Community Health Workers (continued)
Most entry-level jobs require a high school diploma, although some employers may require a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree.
Typically have a shared language, life experience, or understanding of the community
Orientation and Mobility Specialists
Teach individuals with visual impairments to travel safely, confidently, and independently in their environment.