Public Health Consultant: Career Overview.
What Is a Public Health Consultant?
A public health consultant is a professional who bridges the gap between the field of public health and other healthcare industries, including healthcare. They often work with healthcare organizations to increase operational efficiency and improve patient outcomes.
Public health consultants are typically specialized in particular areas of public health, which enables them to provide healthcare organizations in particular with niche services. They may advise healthcare administrators and healthcare providers, create and implement training programs for healthcare workers or complete specific projects for their healthcare clients. This position is quite flexible, appealing to those passionate about public health and ready to make an impact in a specific area.
What Does a Public Health Consultant Do?
The scope of a public health consultant’s work will vary significantly based on their areas of expertise and the type of clients with which they contract. Those who specialize in public health consulting may:
- Work with healthcare organizations to identify challenges and develop impactful solutions that help improve operations and enhance patient care at the facility.
Develop and implement initiatives for healthcare facilities that help expand resource availability, increase engagement and boost overall patient outcomes. - Evaluate processes at the healthcare facility and make recommendations to optimize efficiency. Public health consultants may work with healthcare facilities to improve resource allocation, better manage staffing levels and streamline patient caseloads.
- Perform strategic analysis of healthcare facilities to extract data and develop actionable insights that can improve operational efficiency.
- Aid in the strategic management of the organization, providing healthcare facilities with objective feedback about processes, policies and protocols.
Common Responsibilities
Public health consulting professionals will find that no two days are alike. The tasks accomplished each day will vary based on the clients you are working with and the specialty areas you focus on as part of your consulting services. Some day-to-day tasks for which you may be responsible include:
- Performing data analysis and creating reports about budget, revenue, staff and operations at the healthcare facility.
- Providing recommendations based on actionable insights in order to improve operational efficiency, patient satisfaction levels and patient outcomes.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of technology in the healthcare facility (such as electronic health records systems and telehealth technology).
- Determining if a healthcare facility is in compliance with regulations and industry guidelines.
Common Workplace Skills Needed
Public health professionals need to have a solid grasp of human health and the social determinants of health that can affect an individual’s quality of life. In addition to a background in science, medicine and health, public health consultants should possess well-developed business acumen, financial skills, technical skills and soft skills.
The following section outlines common workplace skills for public health consultants to develop before they begin actively partnering with clients and delivering consulting services.
Technical Skills
In the realm of public health consulting, you work with a wide range of digital tools and advanced software to provide your clients with the data-based insights they need. Several technical skills required to succeed as a public health consultant include:
- Financial acumen – You must be able to successfully read, interpret and analyze financial statements and budgets to make recommendations to help an organization improve its financial standing and operational efficiency.
- Systems analysis – Leverage data analysis skills to evaluate the systems currently in place and create actionable insights for your clients.
- Healthcare knowledge – You should have an advanced understanding of the healthcare industry (including the policies and regulations that govern it) in order to provide clients with sound advice and determine that they are in compliance with all regulations.
Soft Skills
While the technical skills for public health consulting allow you to provide clients with the exact information and recommendations needed to enhance operations, it’s your soft skills that will determine your overall success in this field. Soft skills crucial to public health consulting include:
- Communication – Expert communication skills help effectively relay information and recommendations to clients. It is important to rely on the best health communication strategies when working as a public health consultant.
- Attention to detail – You must be able to look beyond the basics and uncover patterns and relationships of which your clients may not be aware.
- Cultural competency – When emphasizing the importance of accessibility, you should be comfortable working with diverse populations. A public health consultant will ideally possess a deep sense of cultural awareness, helping facilities create personalized recommendations that accommodate the specific needs of their clients.
- Critical thinking – Critical thinking is essential for public health consultants, who must analyze complex data, assess community needs, and develop effective strategies based on evidence. This skill allows them to make informed decisions, solve problems efficiently, and adapt to shifting public health challenges.
Becoming a Public Health Consultant
Public health consulting is a niche career path that demands a specific background and skill set. By prioritizing your education and gaining experience in the public health field, you could be on your way to pursuing public health consulting positions.
Education Experience
Relevant education is essential as a public health consultant. Most consultants have both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public health. A graduate degree can equip you with an advanced understanding of the public health landscape so you can make expert recommendations for your clients.
Work Experience
In addition to gaining experience in the field of public health, you will also want to pursue professional opportunities in healthcare settings before pursuing a career in public health consulting. This work experience will give you valuable insight into the current healthcare landscape, allowing you to better connect with your clients as well as help build up your expertise in an area of interest.
Build Up Your Network
Building a professional network before becoming a public health consultant is important because it can lead to referrals, partnerships, and job opportunities. A strong network also provides access to expert insight, potential clients, and collaborators who can support your work and help establish your credibility in the field.
Job Outlook
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment levels in the healthcare industry to grow over the next decade. For instance, health education specialists will see a 7% increase in demand from 2023 to 2033. Thus, the job outlook for public health consultants is positive, particularly as healthcare facilities continue to work toward developing and implementing innovative solutions that will improve patient care, equity and accessibility.
Learn More at Boston University
Demand for intuitive and precise public health consulting will continue to rise in the years to come — making now an excellent time to begin exploring this field. At Boston University (BU), we offer a Master of Public Health degree as well as an online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program that have been recognized for their holistic curriculum emphasizing the importance of health equity. Learn how a Master of Public Health degree can prepare you with the advanced knowledge skills required to pursue a career as a public health consultant.
Learn about our MPH program by getting in touch for more information, or take the next step and fill out your online application for admission today.