How to Get a Job Working for the Health Department

Want to work for the health department? As the world struggles under a global health crisis, it’s not surprising that many are starting to show interest in joining the healthcare industry. If you’re one of them, you will need to know what skills you possess that health departments need. 

In the U.S., the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) serves as the main office that works to protect the health and well-being of all Americans. Generally, the department’s tasks lie in extending effective health and human services to people. 

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Below, we have rounded up everything you need to know about working for the health department. Read on to know about the most common positions available, the duties involved, the education/qualifications required, and the salary costs that normally apply. Here they are:

Jobs at the U.S. Health Department

Generally, the jobs available at the HSS are as diverse as the healthcare demands of the population. Among the most common job titles you may find at the health department include:

Social Worker

Essentially, social work refers to a practice-based profession concerned in helping people deal with their problems. 

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Typical duties of a social worker include visiting clients and evaluating their needs, writing reports, delivering outreach services for a targeted population, and assisting in a variety of situations, such as diagnosing terminal illness, solving domestic violence, and more.

To become a social worker, the health department often requires that you must have a bachelor’s degree in social work or psychology. However, if the position you’re eyeing is beyond entry-level, you may be required to have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited institution.

Often, people who qualify for this position can expect for a monthly salary of $40,000 or more.

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Pharmacist

Another position you may often find available in the HSS is the title of a pharmacist. Under this type of career, you will be tasked to dispense drugs prescribed by physicians, evaluate prescription medications for accuracy and safety, and provide pharmaceutical information to healthcare professionals.

Generally, to qualify for this position, you must have completed a PharmD program from an accredited pharmacy program and have passed the needed licensure and law exams.

In the U.S., the average salary of pharmacists is about $120,006 per year.

Medical Technician

Another position you may find interest in is the job of a medical technician. 

Among the main duties of a med tech include operating and calibrating medical equipment, as well as collecting, testing, and recording the results of complex scientific tests on blood and bodily fluids.

To become a medical technician, you must have a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology or life sciences and must be professionally certified. The average salary of medical technicians in the U.S. is $53,120 a month.

How to Apply

To apply for your preferred job in the HHS, you may simply visit the department’s official site. From its Home Page, scroll down to find the “Careers” option. By clicking it, you will be redirected to the department’s job openings page. Enter the job title you are looking for as well as your preferred job location and click “Search Jobs.”

You will be presented with a list of available job positions that are relevant to the keywords you’ve provided. Once you see an opening that matches your skills and expectations, click on the “Apply” button to start your application.

 

Conclusion

When people of the healthcare profession, they often just zoom in on doctors, but it takes so many more people to support this industry. So, if you are interested in healthcare, there are many opportunities for you to utilize the skills you have to help.