A health inspector, also called an environmental health specialist, health and safety specialist, or safety and health professional, works to ensure that all health and safety regulations of an entity are in compliance. By examining health hazards, the health inspector can help prevent harm to the public, work force, environment, and property. When conditions are not up to par or in compliance, the health inspector has the authority to take the necessary action to minimize or eliminate the any hazard that they find.
Educational Needs for a Career Path in the Health Inspection Field
Health inspectors must learn the regulations and procedures of health inspection that are required to determine compliance. Depending on specific local, state, federal, and industry requirements, there may be an opportunity for on the job training. Some employers will hire someone with a high school diploma and offer on site health inspector training. However, the health inspector can not be certified until they have three years of health inspection experience; only then can the person take the certification exam. Many establishments will require at least a bachelors degree. Pursuing the following five steps is the typical path to becoming a health inspector:
Step One: Obtaining a Bachelor's Degree
Health inspectors with a health-related bachelor's degree ( industrial hygiene and health physics for example) are usually given preference by employers. These health related bachelor's degree programs will include classes in biology, engineering, chemistry, occupational health, etc.. Completing other specialized courses (risk communication or hazardous material management for example) can be an incentive for the employer during the hiring process.
Step Two: Entering into Internship Programs
Start gaining some health inspector experience while still working toward the bachelor's degree. If you can not find employment as a health inspector without a degree, try an internship program. Many colleges and universities will work with local businesses and government agencies to provide an internship to a student working toward a bachelor's degree. Typically, the program will pair an already established health inspector with a student. This is the perfect opportunity to gain work experience, while also learning health regulations and safety rules firsthand.
Step Three: Obtaining Voluntary Credentials and Certifications
Credentials for health inspection vary based on what field the health inspector opts to work in and job location. Credentials are not something that is required to work as a health inspector, but many employers favor hiring employees that have health and safety accreditation. The requirements for health and safety accreditation vary greatly. Many involve a certification exam... after the completion of a bachelor's degree. The Board of Certified Safety Professionals, American Board of Health Physicists, and American Board of Industrial Hygiene are three of the main organizations that offer credentials for health inspectors.
Step Four: Begin Work in the Field of Health Inspection
It's time to get to work after obtainment of a bachelor's degree, an internship, and credentials. First, it is vital that the health inspector learn laws, safety regulations, and patterns that are unique to the chosen workplace and area. This will enable the health inspector to look for violations with ease and preciseness. Most organizations will usually train their newly hired health inspector and get them accustomed to specific job responsibilities. There are also training sessions available to explain newly formed health regulations and improve health inspection identification skills.
Step Five: Consider Graduate School for Advancement Opportunities
A health inspector has a tremendous responsibility when it comes to safety. So, it shouldn't be a surprise that the path to advancement usually requires advanced education. A health inspector that desires to move forward in the field should consider obtaining a health-related master's degree (industrial hygiene or health physics for example.) There are different rules and regulations for the various industries that are subject to health inspection. Specializing in a particular area of expertise and gaining work experience makes the path to supervisory and management positions much easier.
Multiple Career Options
There is a false assumption that all health inspectors only examine restaurants and other food establishments. However, health inspectors have a much more extensive scope of practice and function: inspection of swimming pools; inspection of assisted living and long-term care homes; inspection of housing for substandard conditions; personal service areas, such as a tattoo parlor; etc.
Health inspectors are usually employed by a private business, local government agency, state government agency, or federal government agency. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that about two in every five health inspectors work for a government agency.
Health Inspector Salary
The average salary for a health inspector is between $39,750 and $47,215 per year. Of course, salary depends on the employer, physical location, education level, and credentials of the health inspector.