How to Become an Online Public Health Director

People working in public health often find themselves motivated by large challenges. Public health professionals are often faced with time-sensitive, life-threatening issues that most people would prefer not to worry about. A Public Health Director professional may be involved in many areas such as diseases, epidemics, injustices within the health system, water contamination and sewage systems.

You can see that a career as a public health professional is based on the desire to improve the lives of whole populations. Public health is a broad field that can be influenced by both their natural and built environments as well as by each other. There are many options for public health professionals. Individuals who want to specialize in one area of the health field may choose to become an emergency and disaster specialist, an epidemiologist, or biostatistician. If you have a strong managerial drive, and are looking to make a difference in the health of a region’s public health, then becoming a Public Heath Director may be an appealing option. Learn how to become the Public Health Director online, in as little as 16 months.

What does a Public Health director do?

The Public Health director’s role is to coordinate the efforts of all parties involved in supplying programs and health care to people. The Public Health Director is responsible for leading and evaluating initiatives, as well as ensuring that policies are implemented and that reporting is done. Additionally, the Public Health director is responsible for:

The creation and management of a budget.
Advocate for all organization programs and responses.
Compliance with all applicable laws and policies relating to health, whether they are federal, state, or local.
Motivating and leading employees at all levels within the organization.
Maintaining a dialogue between governing boards and partners from the public or private sector.
As a public mouthpiece.
Recognizing the diversity of cultures in the community.

What education requirements are required to become a Public health director?

Public Health Director jobs require both education and experience. Here are the steps to becoming a Public Health Director.

Complete a graduate education.

Master’s degrees in public health (MPH), provide the knowledge and skills you will need to succeed in this field. A bachelor’s degree is necessary to enter a master’s program and be considered for Public Health Director positions. This is the only way to pursue graduate education.

Core curriculum such as Occupational and Environmental Health and Public Health Policy are part of an MPH program. Electives such as US Healthcare Delivery Systems and Public Health Preparedness enhance your understanding about the relationship between population and access, policy, plan, and delivery. Your education will allow you to make informed choices. That is why Goodwin University’s online MPH degree program also includes public health history and data mapping.

You can become a Public Health Director with many flexible options. You can earn your master’s degree online, which will allow you to work while maintaining other obligations like family and work. Online MPH programs can be completed in a shorter time frame than traditional MPH programs. For example, at Goodwin you can earn your MPH degree and become a Public Health Director in as little as 16 months.

You will gain experience in your field.

Public Health Directors have a lot to do within a health system. They are responsible for making key policy decisions that will affect people’s lives and livelihoods as well as directing how money is spent towards specific priorities. Public Health Directors need to have at least three years experience, and sometimes as much as five years, to make such decisions. Extra education, such as a second masters degree, may count towards these experiential years in some cases.

You can improve your soft skills and be a success.

You’ll want your skills to be highlighted, even if they aren’t directly related to your education. These include communication, leadership, motivation, and the ability for a team to work together. Public Health Directors are organized, fair and enthusiastic.

Is certification required to become a Public health director?

Public Health Directors are not required to have certification. There is an option for Public Health Directors who are interested in certification. It helps one stand out among peers and shows one’s dedication to the field. The National Board of Public Health Examiners recommends that you learn about the eligibility requirements, study the Board’s resources, and then apply to become a certified public-health professional. This certification is an excellent tool for professional growth. It helps you keep up-to-date with best practices, network and possibly increase your chances of being promoted or receiving a salary increase.

What is the work environment of a Public health director?

Public Health Directors typically work in an office environment. This could be in a hospital or government building, in a doctor’s office or anywhere else. Public Health directors are part of the community. This means that you might also see them at off-site meetings and health conferences. Engagement with the media, as well as other events, is part of their job.

How much does a Public Health director make?

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2020, Health and Wellness Managers average $104,280 per year. It is about $50 per hour. Pay is dependent on the industry. At $116,380 per year, the highest salary industry is the government sector. Closely followed by the hospital sector, which pays $112 870 annually. Outpatient care centers earn $100,690 per year while doctors’ offices make $94,880. The salary for a Public health director in a nursing facility or residential care center is $89 880.

Do you think the job of Public Health Director is in high demand?

Indeed! It is! Between 2019 and 29, the projected growth rate for medical and health services manager employment will be 32%. This compares to the 4% rate of U.S. employment growth.

Additional Resource:
https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/health/resource/what-is-public-health-and-why-is-it-important
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/health-sciences/about-us/school-blog/why-is-public-health-important