Environmental health officer
Encyclopedia
Environmental health officers (EHOs) are usually employed by local government or state health authorities to advise on and enforce public health
standards. However, many are employed in the private sector
and in the military
.
accredits Australian Environmental Health Degree and Graduate Diploma programs in accordance with the Environmental Health Australia Accreditation Policy to ensure course content meets nationally consistent requirements for practice as an EHO anywhere in Australia. As at 1 July 2009 there are EHA-accredited Universities in every State and the Northern Territory.
, located at its Hawthorn Campus.
The undergraduate course, Bachelor of Public Health (Environmental Health) is being offered by La Trobe University
located at its Bendigo campus.
Currently Curtin University of Technology
and Edith Cowan University
offer Environmental Health degrees in Western Australia which are also accredited by Environmental Health Australia.
.
Similar provisions exist in Scotland, where the profession is regulated by The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
EHOs bring to the position an understanding of microbiology, risk assessment, environmental science and technology, food science, as well as skills and knowledge related to the tracking and control of communicable disease and the investigation and enforcement of legislation related to public health and the environment. Working in partnership with Government Ministries such as Health, Agriculture and the Environment, local municipalities, businesses, community groups and agencies as well as individual members of the community the EHO plays a major role in protecting public health.
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
standards. However, many are employed in the private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
and in the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
.
Jobs
- Food safety training
- Planning
- Pest control
- Emergency contingency planning and implementation
- Noise control
- Water testing
Australia - General
Environmental Health AustraliaEnvironmental Health Australia
Environmental Health Australia is the premier professional body for Environmental Health Officers or Environmental Health Practitioners in Australia....
accredits Australian Environmental Health Degree and Graduate Diploma programs in accordance with the Environmental Health Australia Accreditation Policy to ensure course content meets nationally consistent requirements for practice as an EHO anywhere in Australia. As at 1 July 2009 there are EHA-accredited Universities in every State and the Northern Territory.
Victoria, Australia
The current requirement to become an authorised officer under the Food Act 1984 in Victoria is a BHSc Public & Environmental Health or Bachelor of Public Health (Environmental Health). The PHSc Public & Environmental Health degree is being offered by Swinburne University of TechnologySwinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is an Australian public dual sector university based in Melbourne, Victoria. The institution was founded by the Honourable George Swinburne in 1908 and achieved university status in June 1992...
, located at its Hawthorn Campus.
The undergraduate course, Bachelor of Public Health (Environmental Health) is being offered by La Trobe University
La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
located at its Bendigo campus.
Western Australia
The Health Act 1911 (as amended) defines the role of 'environmental health officer', and empowers the Executive Director, Public Health to appoint EHOs to local government health authorities and as public health officials employed by State government. The Executive Director, Public Health is advised by the Western Australia Environmental Health Officer Professional Review Board on Environmental Health Graduate and Postgraduate qualifications that are deemed suitable to allow practice in Western Australia, and the qualifications are published from time to time in the Government Gazette.Currently Curtin University of Technology
Curtin University of Technology
Curtin University is an Australian university based in Perth, Western Australia, with additional campuses in regional Western Australia and at Miri , Sydney and Singapore...
and Edith Cowan University
Edith Cowan University
Edith Cowan University is located in Perth, Western Australia. It was named after the first woman to be elected to an Australian Parliament, Edith Cowan, and is the only Australian university named after a woman....
offer Environmental Health degrees in Western Australia which are also accredited by Environmental Health Australia.
New Zealand
Entrants to the profession must have either a BAppSc Health Protection or BHSc Environmental Health. Alternatively, suitably qualified science graduates can obtain a graduate diploma in environmental health.Republic of Ireland
To become an Environmental Health Officer it is necessary to hold an environmental health degree approved by the Department of Health & Children. The study of Environmental Health in Ireland also requires students to undertake a period of professional practice with the Health Service Executive. Following the period of professional practice, competence must then be demonstrated through an experiential learning logbook and oral examination.United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
EHOs must hold an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification recognised by (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) the Environmental Health Registration BoardEnvironmental Health Registration Board
The Environmental Health Registration Board is a body in the United Kingdom which issues certificates of registration on completion of approved professional qualification programmes and accredits courses of study....
.
Similar provisions exist in Scotland, where the profession is regulated by The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
Canada
Public Health Inspectors have a university degree in Applied Science and a national professional certificate in Public Health Inspection - C.P.H.I.(C).EHOs bring to the position an understanding of microbiology, risk assessment, environmental science and technology, food science, as well as skills and knowledge related to the tracking and control of communicable disease and the investigation and enforcement of legislation related to public health and the environment. Working in partnership with Government Ministries such as Health, Agriculture and the Environment, local municipalities, businesses, community groups and agencies as well as individual members of the community the EHO plays a major role in protecting public health.
See also
- Chief Green OfficerChief Green OfficerA Chief green officer , or Chief environmental commitment officer , is a corporate officer responsible for implementing and managing the corporation's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and protecting the environment...
(CGE) - Public healthPublic healthPublic health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
- Environmental healthEnvironmental healthEnvironmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health...
- Occupational Safety and HealthOccupational safety and healthOccupational safety and health is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of all occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe work environment...
External links
- The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
- New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (England and Wales)
- Irish Environmental Health Officers Association (Republic of Ireland)
- International Federation of Environmental Health
- Environmental Health Australia
- Malta Association of Environmental Health Officers
- Western Australia Environmental Health Officer Professional Review Board
- The Role of the Environmental Health Officer