Environmental Health Practitioner
Environmental health practitioners ensure that the places where people live, eat and work are safe and hygienic. They do this through inspecting shops, restaurants, houses, factories and offices to see that health standards comply with the law. They may be involved in all aspects of the work or may specialise in an area such as:
· Food safety - investigating food standards and safety and hygiene complaints, or incidents such as food poisoning and outbreaks of communicable diseases;
· Health and safety - giving advice, for example, on health and safety issues when plans are being made for a new building;
· Housing - arranging grants for renovations and dealing with incidents such as rat infestations and blocked drains;
· Environmental protection - monitoring levels of noise, air, land and water pollution and dealing with issues such as contamination of land and toxic waste or a complaint about noisy neighbours.
Entry level
To become an environmental health practitioner, you would need a degree or postgraduate award accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health or the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
Entry to an accredited first degree requires GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) in English language, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics, together with at least 160 points at AS and A2 level/H grades, with a science subject at A2 or 200 points at AS and A level/H grades without a science subject. Alternative qualifications are also considered. Entry to a suitable postgraduate course requires a degree from a United Kingdom university in an appropriate science or technology subject, or qualifications and experience considered equivalent.
Environmental health degree courses cover a range of topics, including human health, sustainability and environmental management, acoustics, food safety, occupational health and safety, waste management, environmental protection and pollution control, public health and housing, and infection control.
Adult entrants may be preferred, as the job requires a mature approach. People who have worked in scientific or technical environments may have an advantage. Mature applicants may be accepted onto degree courses without the usual entry requirements, particularly if they have relevant work experience or have done an Access course.
Making the grade
You would have to undertake a period of practical training - for a minimum of 48 weeks - in addition to your academic studies. This is often combined in a sandwich course that integrates both the academic course and practical training and is four years long. Alternatively, you could complete your work experience after graduation or you could study for a degree part-time while working as an environmental health technician. You would also have to complete a logbook and pass a professional exam.
There is a clearly defined promotion structure that leads to senior, principal and chief officer posts in environmental health, although you may need to move to other authorities to gain wider experience or to secure promotion.
Personal qualities
You would need a concern both for the environment and for the welfare of people living and working in the community. An investigative and methodological mind, good written and spoken communication skills, and a high level of scientific and technical understanding would all be essential.
Your presence at a contaminated landfill site or in a dirty kitchen might not be welcome, so you would need a certain level of mental toughness in order to go about your work. You must be honest, firm and impartial in the way you interpret relevant legislation and standards.
Looking ahead
There is intense competition for trainee posts but, once qualified, there is a steady demand for qualified staff.
With around 10,000 environmental health practitioners in the UK, there are opportunities in local authorities and in central government organisations such as the Environment, Food Standards, Health Development and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agencies. There are also some opportunities in the armed services and for working overseas.
Alternative suggestions
You could also consider training as a food scientist/technologist, forensic scientist, health and safety adviser, quality control inspector or trading standards officer.
Take-home pay
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on your employer and where you live. The current trainee rate starts at around £20,000 (more in the inner London area), rising to over £24,000 on successful completion of a training programme.
With experience and promotion, you could earn around £70,000 as a director of public health.
In Scotland, you would receive paid employment during your practical training, whereas in the rest of the UK a local authority might sponsor you while in training.
Effects
You would normally work between 35 and 39 hours a week, Monday to Friday, although the job often requires flexible starting and finishing times, and you may occasionally have to work evenings or weekends.
This is not a job for the squeamish, as it may involve visits to dangerous, smelly, unpleasant environments and you may encounter some hostility from people who resent your inspection. You would need to drive from one site to another and you would normally carry protective clothing, such as a hat, mask, boots and overalls.
Sources of information
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health: www.cieh.org.uk and www.ehcareers.org
Food Standards Agency: www.food.gov.uk
Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland: www.rehis.org
Scottish Environment Protection Agency: www.sepa.org.uk
Health and Safety Executive: www.hse.gov.uk
CRCI: AC
More information on careers in Environmental Health
