Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Public Health Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

As a Public Health Assistant, you will be the crucial link between our health initiatives and the communities we serve. You are the backbone of our public health programs, providing essential support to epidemiologists, health educators, and program managers. Your work will directly contribute to the well-being of the public by facilitating outreach, collecting vital data, and ensuring the smooth execution of health campaigns. This role requires a proactive and compassionate individual who is eager to make a tangible impact on community health outcomes and drive forward our mission of a healthier future for all.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Community Health Worker
Medical Assistant or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Recent Graduate (Public Health, Health Science, Biology)
Administrative Assistant (in a healthcare or non-profit setting)

Advancement To:

Public Health Program Coordinator
Health Educator
Research Associate (Public Health)
Junior Epidemiologist (with advanced degree/training)

Lateral Moves:

Clinical Research Assistant
Health Policy Assistant
Non-Profit Program Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct community outreach and engagement activities to promote public health programs, services, and health education initiatives to diverse populations.
Assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of community health events, such as health fairs, screening clinics, and vaccination drives.
Provide direct, culturally sensitive health education and information to individuals and groups on topics including chronic disease prevention, nutrition, physical activity, and infectious diseases.
Collect, enter, and manage confidential public health data from various sources (surveys, interviews, clinical records), ensuring high levels of accuracy and integrity for analysis.
Support disease surveillance and investigation activities by conducting patient interviews, performing contact tracing, and documenting case information under the guidance of an epidemiologist.
Schedule and coordinate appointments for clients, follow up on missed appointments, and assist clients in navigating the healthcare and social services systems.
Maintain accurate and organized records, case files, and documentation in accordance with program guidelines and HIPAA regulations.
Distribute health promotion materials, resources, and supplies to community partners, clinics, and the general public.
Assist in preparing reports, summaries, and presentations by compiling data, creating simple charts, and summarizing program activities and outcomes.
Serve as a primary point of contact for public inquiries, providing accurate information and referring individuals to appropriate internal and external resources.
Participate in community coalition meetings and stakeholder forums to represent the organization and gather feedback on community health needs.
Administer standardized questionnaires and screening tools to assess health risks, needs, and program eligibility.
Provide logistical support for public health training sessions and workshops, including preparing materials, setting up venues, and tracking attendance.
Perform basic data cleaning and verification to ensure the quality of programmatic and surveillance datasets.
Support grant-related activities by gathering necessary documentation and tracking program deliverables.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify trends and inform program adjustments.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by providing frontline feedback on data collection processes and tools.
Collaborate with business units and program managers to translate data needs into clear engineering and reporting requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data and program teams to ensure alignment and timely execution of tasks.
Assist in the development and revision of data collection instruments, surveys, and interview guides.
Monitor inventory of educational materials and clinical supplies, placing orders as needed to prevent shortages.
Provide administrative support to the public health department, including scheduling meetings, taking minutes, and managing correspondence.
Help test and provide feedback on new software or database systems being implemented for program management.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Data Entry & Management: Proficiency in accurately entering and managing data in databases or systems like MS Excel, Access, or REDCap.
Microsoft Office Suite: Strong skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for creating documents, analyzing data, and communicating.
Bilingual Proficiency: Fluency in a second language (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Haitian Creole) is often highly preferred or required.
Knowledge of HIPAA: Understanding of privacy rules and regulations for protecting patient and health information.
Electronic Health Records (EHR): Familiarity with navigating and extracting information from EHR or similar case management systems.
Community Health Principles: Foundational knowledge of public health, epidemiology, and social determinants of health.

Soft Skills

Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Excellent ability to communicate clearly and compassionately with diverse community members, colleagues, and stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
Cultural Competency & Empathy: Ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to data entry, record-keeping, and following protocols to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Time Management & Organization: Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Problem-Solving: Resourcefulness in handling client issues, navigating complex systems, and adapting to unexpected challenges.
Teamwork & Collaboration: A strong team player who can work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to achieve shared goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED combined with 2-3 years of relevant experience.
Associate's Degree in a related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Public Health
Health Science or Health Education
Community Health
Sociology or Social Work
Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in a community-based, healthcare, or public health setting.

Preferred: Experience working directly with diverse or underserved populations. Experience with community outreach, health education, or case management is a significant asset.