Sunday 31 March 2013

Environmental Health Officers (also known as Public Health Inspectors)


The term health promotion refers to the process of helping people take control of their health through education and awareness. In recent years there has been a concerted and collective effort towards the spreading of health information. With the world population facing a number of challenges that range from a contaminated environment to the use of dangerous chemicals in foods, governments all over world have started paying attention. This has resulted in a number of awareness programs from both federal and private organizations. Introduction of the internet in the nineties played an instrumental role in spreading information. Sensing the change in attitudes, organizations like WHO are now available online, where people can access important information.
In addition to federal health promotion and informational sites, there are a number of dedicated websites available on the internet. The main purpose behind these websites is to help people share their experiences and bring them together. The mission behind our website is to provide users with authentic and credible information which can help them improve their health and lifestyle. The topics on this website range from baby health to common ailments such as acne and migraines. The website also takes serious issues into account where diabetes and heart diseases are discussed extensively. In order to get the information right, data is uploaded only when it has been cross referenced and checked against reliable databases. This not helps user access important information instantly, it also brings people with a common objective together which is health promotion.
The RIPH's origins date back to 1856 and the setting up of The Public Health Medical Society which was incorporated as the British Institute of Public Health in 1892. It gained royal patronage in 1897, and merged in 1937 with the Institute of Hygiene (established in 1903).
The RSH, also known as the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, was established in 1876 following the landmark Public Health Act of 1875. Previously known as the Sanitary Institute (1876–1904) and the Royal Sanitary Institute (1904–55), it was born into a period of great change within the areas of public health provision and sanitary reform to which it contributed significantly. During its first fifty years, the Society became the leading public health organisation both in Great Britain and the rest of the world. It was soon renowned for events and conferences on pioneering and topical issues, and developed qualifications for people working in public health professions. By the 1950s, the Society was a leading authority in its field, and was regularly consulted by governments and the international press on health-related issues. Since the 1970s, the Society has focused its activities on the most successful areas of its work - examinations, certification, and the journals 'Public Health' and Perspectives in Public Health'.
Today, the RSPH is the longest-established public health organization in the United Kingdom. It is incorporated by Royal Charter completely independent of government and of any special interest. Members are academics, health professionals and practitioners who share an interest in promoting health through their daily work, and come together through Society membership to provide cross-cutting, multidisciplinary perspectives on current health questions. The Society has a total membership is approximately 6.500.
Fellows of the RSPH are entitled to use the initials FRSPH after their names. Fellows of its predecessor organisation RSH were allowed to use the initials FRSH after their names.
The RSPH is a national Qualifications Awarding Body with some 100,000 people qualifying through the RSPH each year. The Society has almost 1,600 approved training centres. The organisation is also an Accreditation and certification Body, recognised by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). The RSPH also manages the national NGO Forum for Health and looks after the database of practitioners on health promotion. Working closely with the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and the Institute of Health Promotion and Education (IHPE), the RSPH leads the implementation of the 'Shaping the Future' initiative in health promotion. Additionally, the Society acts as the host for the Network of Health Promotion Academics. RSPH staff provide technical advice to the World Health Organisation and increasingly work on public health initiatives overseas.
The RSPH publishes two peer reviewed and much respected journals, Perspectives in Public Health and 'Public Health', both of which have rapidly improving impact factors. Alongside the journals, the Society runs an active programme of national conferences and events.
The RSPH has its headquarters at two sites in London and can be contacted through its website, www.rsph.org.uk, or by telephone on 02072657300.

Things Health Inspectors Look For
The health inspector is not there to shut a restaurant down. He or she is there to both enforce local food codes and educate staff on proper food handling practices. Listed below are some of the things an inspector will scrutinize when examining your restaurant.
Critical Items
Critical items are those that are directly related to foodborne illness. Many counties denote these as “red” items on inspection sheets. Here are some examples of critical items:
  • Observe proper handwashing  » Learn More
  • Make sure food is coming from an approved source
  • Ensure cooked foods are rapidly chilled in appropriate amount of time  » Learn More
  • Check to make sure commercial dishwashers have the correct sanitizer concentration
  • Assure there has been no cross-contamination between raw and cooked or ready to serve products  » Learn More
Non-Critical Items
Non-critical items are those that are not directly related to foodborne illnesses, but can become serious problems if not corrected. These are items are usually denoted as “blue” items on an inspection sheet. Here are some examples of non-critical items:\
  • Labeled food storage containers
  • Current operator permit
  • Properly calibrated meat thermometers
  • Floors, walls and ceilings properly cleaned
  • Employee changing or break area is separate from kitchen 
Potentially Hazardous Foods
Health inspectors pay special attention to potentially hazardous foods. 
These foods require precise time and temperature maintenance to prevent bacterial grown and food related illnesses. The health inspector will meticulously check cooking, holding and storage temperatures of all your meat, poultry, seafood and ready made food products to assure that they are at safe temperatures. They will also ask to see your records to assure you are doing the same.
Manager and Staff Knowledge 
Restaurant owners are required to know their local health codes in order to operate a commercial food establishment. Management staff must have up-to-date training on food safety practices, and employees must demonstrate knowledge of safe food handling and preparation. The inspector will ask questions to test this knowledge.
Employee Health 
When employees are sick, do not let them continue to handle and prepare food. Send them home, or put them on a task where they are not handling food or utensils. Person to person contact is a leading cause of foodborne illness, and sick employees can easily transfer their germs to your customers, no matter how cautious the workers may be. If an outbreak is linked to a sick employee, the health department has the authority to check the worker’s medical records and take samples in an effort to pinpoint an exact cause. Sometimes, an entire restaurant can be closed until every employee receives a clean bill of health and the restaurant is sterilized, so it is better all around to send one sick employee home for a couple of days.

Types of Premisses & Health Inspections
Though health regulations and inspection processes can vary from county to county, there are at least three types of health inspections that can occur at any establishment.
  • Routine Inspection: During this unannounced visit, the inspector looks at all aspects of an establishment to assure compliance with the local food regulations. Everything from employee handwashing practices to dumpster lids are looked at during routine inspections.
  • Complaint Inspection: Usually a customer has either become sick or filed a complaint about possible unsafe practices. Just because a complaint has been filed does not mean the condition exists, but you can be assured the inspector will give your facility the white glove treatment and can take samples of questionable material.
  • Follow-Up Inspection: This inspection will occur after an establishment has been given a certain amount of time to correct critical violations. If the inspector says, “I will be back in two weeks to check on your progress”, take them seriously.
Royal Society Public Health (RSPH) Qualification

Aston are an accredited centre for many of the RSPH qualifications our specialist area is health awareness and health promotion.  We have developed these programmes in partnership with the NHS
The RSPH Royal Society for Public Health is an independent charity formed in October 2008 with the merger of the Royal Society of Health (RSH Royal Society of Health) and the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH Royal Institute of Public Health).
 
We are a membership organisation and have over 6,000 members. Membership of the RSPH Royal Society for Public Health is open to anyone working in the area of public health. It is a widely recognised mark of commitment to public health and brings real professional benefits.
 
Almost 100,000 people take our qualifications each year in subjects such as food hygiene, health and safety and health improvements. We also run conferences in food safety, water, infection control and occupational medicine.
We run an accreditation service for health and safety related products and we also manage the second largest food packaging certification scheme in the UK
 
Please follow the links for further information of our offer;
 
Please feel free to contact us to discuss or require further information regarding these or any of our programmes we will be able to offer up to date information and guidance for this and any other sectors of interest, including any employer incentives available.
 

Environmental health officer

Environmental Health Officers (also known as Public Health Inspectors) are responsible for carrying out measures for protecting public health, including administering and enforcing legislation related to environmental health and providing support to minimize health and safety hazards. They are involved in a variety of activities, for example inspecting food facilities, investigating public health nuisances, and implementing disease control. Environmental health officers are focused on prevention, consultation, investigation, and education of the community regarding health risks and maintaining a safe environment.
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.
Some past/historic titles include inspector of nuisances, sanitarian, and sanitary inspector. Other titles that currently exist include environmental health specialist/practitioner/professional, public health officer, health officer, health inspector, and health official. The legal title used will depend on the definitions found in local legislation/jurisdiction.
Environmental health professionals 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.

Contents

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[edit]Jobs

The following represents jobs that can be found in either the public or private sectors:
  • Inspection and enforcement services
  • Environmental health consulting and education
  • Communicable disease investigations and outbreak control
  • Food safety course training
  • Community planning
  • Sewage disposal (septic) systems planning
  • Floor plan review and approval
  • Pest control
  • Emergency contingency planning and implementation
  • Noise control
  • Air quality monitoring
  • Water testing (drinking water & recreational water)
  • Tobacco control
  • Community care facilities licensing

Roles

A Public Health Inspector (also known as an Environmental Health Officer) is a public employee who investigates health hazards in a wide variety of locations, and will take action to mitigate or eliminate the hazards. Usually the public perception of a health inspector is someone who examines restaurants and ensures they maintain sanitary standards for food safety set by the regulating authority. However, public health inspectors have much broader job duties, including inspecting swimming pools, substandard housing conditions, public schools, day cares, nursing homes, and personal service establishments such as tattoo parlours. Depending on their jurisdiction, Registered Environmental Health Officers often permit and inspect wells, private water systems, and individual subsurface sewage disposal (septic) systems. Other tasks include: campground inspections, tanning salon inspections, beauty salon inspections, correctional facility inspections and mobile home park inspection. The public health inspector (environmental health officer) also plays a vital role in community projects such as those concerning health promotion, tobacco reduction, healthy built environments/healthy communities, food security, and emergency preparedness.
They may also respond to complaints such as animal bites, garbage complaints, odor complaints, or sewage overflows. Due to their educational background they can provide information and referrals with regards to; lead, radon, mold, and emerging diseases such as West Nile Virus and Avian Flu. The field also overlaps with hazardous materials (Hazmat) and many Hazmat responders are also Licensed Environmental Health Practitioners or Registered Environmental Health Specialists.

Working conditions

Environmental health officers work with many different people in a variety of environments. Their jobs often involve considerable fieldwork, and some travel frequently. Many environmental health officers work long and often irregular hours. They inspect pools, childcare centers, restaurants, septic systems, and many other types of establishments that relate to health and safety.
Environmental health officers may be exposed to many of the same physically strenuous conditions and hazards as industrial employees, and the work may be performed in unpleasant, stressful, and dangerous working conditions. They may find themselves in an adversarial role if the management of an organization disagrees with the recommendations for ensuring a safe working environment.

History

The field of environmental health can be traced back to the 1840s in England. Edwin Chadwick, a Poor Law Commissioner, conducted an inquiry into the causes of poverty which concluded that people often became poor because of ill health due to a bad environment. He believed that improving sanitation was the key to breaking this vicious cycle.
Chadwick led a vigorous campaign for change which eventually won over the establishment, resulting in the Public Health Act 1848. The Act provided for the appointment of Inspectors of Nuisances – the forerunners of today’s environmental health practitioners – in areas of need.
The Association of Public Sanitary Inspectors – the organisation which was to become the United Kingdom's Chartered Institute of Environmental Health – was established in 1883. Over subsequent decades, the role of environmental health practitioners changed and grew, with standards of qualification rising until, in the 1960s, it became a graduate profession. The grant of a Royal Charter in 1984 set the seal on this enhanced role and status. As a result of changing roles, the titles have changed over the decades from inspector of nuisances -> sanitary inspector -> public health inspector / environmental health officer. This is also true internationally, as the titles have changed to reflect the advanced education and roles of envivironmental health officers today.

Inspector of Nuisances

An Inspector of Nuisances was the title of an office in several English-speaking jurisdictions. In many jurisdictions this term is now archaic, the position and/or term having been replaced by others. For example, in the United Kingdom, this office was generally associated with public health and sanitation. Both the 1847 Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Act and the Metropolis Management Act 1855 defined such an office. Similar offices were established across the British Empire. The nearest modern equivalent of this position in the UK is an Environmental health officer. In the United States, a modern example is found in Section 3767[7] of the Ohio Revised Code which defines such a position to investigate nuisances, where this term broadly covers establishments in which lewdness and alcohol are found.

Qualifications

Environmental health is a graduate career in most countries. The minimum requirements in most countries include an approved university degree program, field training and professional certification & registration.

Australia – General

Environmental Health 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 Technology, 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.

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 and Edith Cowan University 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 Board.[1] Similar provisions exist in Scotland, where the profession is regulated by The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
Following the educational requirements and practical training period, competence must then be demonstrated through an experiential learning logbook and oral examination before registration is granted.

Canada

Environmental Health Officers/Public Health Inspectors have a university degree in environmental health and a national professional certificate – the Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada), C.P.H.I.(C).
Public Health Inspectors are highly trained individuals whose training include a bachelor's degree in environmental health followed by certification by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). To become nationally certified, public health inspectors must complete a field training practicum, submit a number of reports and pass the Institute's exam. Some inspectors have additional training in areas such as biology, toxicology and epidemiology.
Only five schools in Canada offer degree programs approved by the CIPHI as meeting the educational component for certification: Ryerson University, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Concordia University College of Alberta, Cape Breton University, and First Nations University of Canada. These programs are generally four years long, however fast-track programs are available in some schools for those who have completed a previous science degree.

See also

References

  1. a b "Environmental Health Officer"Careers Advice. Retrieved 2008-10-29.

External links


Penolong Pegawai Kesihatan Persekitaran/
Pegawai Kesihatan Persekitaran

Gred: U29, U32, U36, U41/42, U44, U48, U52, U54
Kumpulan: Pengurusan dan Profesional, Sokongan (Skim Perkhidmatan Bersepadu)
Kem/Jab: Kementerian Kesihatan
Jadual Gaji:
PERINGKATGAJI MINIMUMGAJI MAKSIMUMKADAR KENAIKAN GAJI TAHUNAN
U29RM1,311.58RM4,508.20RM145.00
U32RM2,214.00RM5,178.91RM155.00
U36RM3,454.82RM6,369.36RM180.00
U41RM2,259.08RM6,909.25RM225.00
U42RM2,259.08RM6,909.25RM225.00
U44RM3,422.66RM7,268.66RM250.00
U48RM5,007.64RM8,356.59RM270.00
U52RM5,641.31RM9,108.00RM290.00
U54RM5,941.64RM9,717.04RM320.00
Syarat Lantikan:
Calon bagi lantikan hendaklah memiliki kelayakan seperti berikut :
LANTIKAN KE GRED U29
(a)(i)Diploma Kesihatan Persekitaran daripada institusi-institusi latihan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia yang diiktiraf oleh kerajaan atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya.
GRED U29 [ Gaji Permulaan: RM1,687.59 ]
LANTIKAN KE GRED U41
(a)(i)ijazah sarjana muda kepujian dalam bidang berkaitan yang diiktiraf olah kerajaan daripada institusi-institusi pengajian tinggi tempatan atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya.
GRED U41 [ Gaji Permulaan: RM2,259.08 ]
Deskripsi Tugas :
PENOLONG PEGAWAI KESIHATAN PERSEKITARAN GRED U29
1.Pentadbiran
i.Menyelia dan menghantar laporan-laporan mengenai aktiviti yang dijalankan seperti pemeriksaan, penyiasatan, tindakan yang diambil dan pengawasan.
ii.Menyelia dan melatih kakitangan di bawah jagaannya.
2.Menguatkuasakan undang-undang, peraturan dan undang-undang kecil di bawah Ordinan dan Enakmen yang berkaitan dengan kesihatan umum.
3.Menyiasat dan menyediakan laporan ke atas semua kes penyakit berjangkit.
4.Memeriksa dan mengawas bahan-bahan makanan di premis-premis makanan seperti restoran, kilang, rumah sembelih dan pasar.
5.Mengawasi kebersihan alam sekitar.
6.Menjalankan aktiviti-aktiviti pendidikan kesihatan umum seperti ceramah kepada Institusi Kerajaan dan Swasta Badan-badan Sukarela.
PEGAWAI KESIHATAN PERSEKITARAN GRED U41
Bertanggungjawab dalam merancang, mengurus dan menilai program:
  • Kawalan Penyakit (Penyakit Berjangkit, Penyakit Bawaan Vektor)
  • Keselamatan dan kualiti makanan.
  • Kawalan Mutu Air Minuman (KMAM)
  • Perundangan dan Penguatkuasaan
  • Pengurusan dan analisis data
  • Promosi kesihatan dan risiko komunikasi
  • Merancang keperluan sumber manusia, kewangan dan logistik
  • Penyelidikan dan pembangunan
  • Merancang program intervensi

SEDIKIT SEJARAH PEN.PEG.KESIHATAN PERSEKITARAN @ INSPEKTOR KESIHATAN  

Public Health Inspector



Environmental Health Careers with State and County Health Departments

Employing science and engineering graduates from a variety of disciplines, environmental health programs offer meaningful and satisfying careers helping protect people and communities from public health risks. They provide an attractive variety of work assignments and settings, and ample opportunity for professional development and advancement. State positions and most county jobs offer excellent fringe benefits including subsidized health insurance coverage, reasonable and flexible work hours, generous amounts of leave time, and unrivaled pension plans. In combination, these factors allow science and technology graduates to experience gratifying careers while enjoying an enviable quality of life.
Recent surveys indicate there is a substantial shortfall of candidates for these jobs.

Job Description

Operating under the direction of sanitarians and other environmental health professionals, Public Health Inspectors conduct inspections and prepare reports that document compliance with the Public Health Law and the State Sanitary Code in settings such as: food service establishments (restaurants); children's camps; hotels; campgrounds; swimming pools; bathing beaches; and water and sewage treatment systems. Inspectors may also conduct investigations of public health complaints and emergencies.

Related Titles

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and some county health departments employ Public Health Inspectors. Other county health departments and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDHMH) have similar positions with titles such as Public Health Technician and Environmental Aide.

Qualifications

Candidates typically must possess an associate's degree or have completed 60 credit hours, including 12 credit hours in the natural sciences. Acceptable natural sciences include biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology or physics. Applicants who meet these minimum qualifications must complete a written exam to be placed on a civil service candidate list.

Locations

NYSDOH uses the title of Public Health Inspector primarily as a summer position (May through September) in the state's nine district offices (see the back for the locations of these offices). Some counties employ staff with this title in regular full-time positions.

Salary

Salaries and benefits will vary depending on location, title and grade level. For example, the state Public Health Inspector title (grade 11) has a salary range of about $32,500 to $41,500 (approximately $16.50 per hour), effective April 2008. In accordance with labor union contracts, this range will increase each of next several years.

Contact & Application Information

Vacancy announcements are issued periodically. Information for NYSDOH positions can be found on the agency's employment web page. Additional information on environmental health jobs and activities can be found at the Public Health Works! page. Questions about employment opportunities with the NYSDOH may be e-mailed to resume@health.state.ny.us or you may contact the agency's Bureau of Personnel Management at 518-486-1812.
Note: If there is no current candidate list when a job is being filled, the agency may directly hire applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Interested applicants, especially for seasonal jobs, are encouraged tocontact the district office in their area to determine if there are vacancies.
Employment opportunities at county health departments can be obtained by contacting the individual county (contact information for these can be obtained from the New York Department of Civil Service links, or through related links at the NYSDOH web site listed above.
New York City job postings and related information are found at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/hr/career.shtml, or information can be obtained at (212) 788-4655.



KURSUS DIPLOMA KESIHATAN PERSEKITARAN

Pengenalan
Kerjaya Penolong Pegawai Kesihatan Persekitaran meliputi aspek pengawalan, pencegahan dan penguatkuasaan undang-undang dalam aktiviti-aktiviti kesihatan umum seperti kawalan mutu makanan dan kawalan penyakit berjangkit serta kawalan penyakit bawaan vektor, kesihatan cara kerja, kesihatan antarabangsa, kebersihan alam sekitar dan aktiviti-aktiviti lain yang berkaitan.
Graduan yang lahir kelak diharap mempunyai pengetahuan saintifik, teknikal, kemahiran insaniah bagi membolehkan mereka memahami, menganalisis dan melaksanakan prinsip-prinsip kesihatan persekitaran yang berkaitan.
Deskripsi Tugas
Memberi perkhidmatan kepada unit-unit yang berada di bawah Kementerian Kesihatan atau agensi-agensi Kerajaan seperti berikut:
  • Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
  • Pihak Berkuasa Kerajaan Tempatan
  • Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia
Tugas-tugas Penolong Pegawai Kesihatan Persekitaran :
  • Menguatkuasakan undang-undang, peraturan dan undang-undang kecil dibawah Ordinan dan Enakmen yang berkaitan kesihatan umum
  • Mengawasi kebersihan alam sekitar
  • Keselamatan dan kualiti makanan
  • Menyiasat dan menyediakan laporan ke atas semua kes penyakit berjangkit
  • Keselamatan dan kesihatan sosial termasuk kesihatan luar bandar
  • Penyakit berkaitan cara hidup
  • Menjalankan aktiviti-aktiviti pendidikan kesihatan umum seperti ceramah kepada Institusi Kerajaan, Swasta dan Badan-badan Sukarela
Kurikulum Latihan Diploma Kesihatan Persekitaran

Tempoh latihan : 3 tahun (6 semester) meliputi subjek seperti berikut :
  • Anatomi
  • Sains Tingkah Laku
  • Toksikologi Persekitaran
  • Kebersihan Makanan
  • Kesihatan Antarabangsa
Kelayakan Akademik:

  • Krisis Kesihatan
  • Perundangan Kesihatan
  • Sains Am
  • Sanitasi Persekitara

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