The medical industry is one of the largest and most important in the world. But, within the industry itself, medical professionals need to be on their toes, continually learning as medical technology evolves and the methods by which they provide care to others advance. Below are 10 emerging skills that public health professionals need in the medical industry.
Defining Public Health
Public health can be described in many different ways, but at its heart, it’s a field of healthcare designed to improve the lives of people within their communities. Public health is devoted to protecting fundamental rights, ensuring communities have access to essential services, including healthcare, a roof over their heads, and running water.
Why are certain skills necessary in Public Health careers?
Public health encompasses not only science and health knowledge. The field has changed significantly in recent years, and employers now seek professionals who can communicate clearly, manage programs, analyse data, and understand the communities they serve. The role has become more holistic and more strategic.
Skills such as communication, research, program management, and leadership have increased in demand by more than 100% over the last few years. Even more surprising is the rise in skills such as advocacy, marketing, and program development.
These barely appeared in job postings before, but are now requested more often. These shifts reflect what public health looks like today. Whether you are distributing health resources during a pandemic or teaching people how to stay safe during extreme heatwaves, you need to be adaptable, informed and able to reach communities in the right way.
Key Skills Public Health Professionals Need
Every person working in public health needs to have some basic soft or common skills to effectively do their job, but there are also some more complex skills that are needed. Below we’ve separated them for you:
Specialized Skills
Public Health Fundamentals: Anyone entering the public health field needs to have a basic understanding of it. This includes topics like social determinants of health, biostatistics, research methods and community health planning
Epidemiology: While you may not work as an epidemiologist, understanding how diseases spread is helpful
Ability to teach: Public health professionals spend a lot of time teaching communities about health. You might lead workshops, give presentations or run classes on different topics
Administration: You might have administrative tasks to perform. This might include creating budgets, hiring staff, handling equipment needs or writing proposals and reports
Data reports: By nature, public health is data-driven, so you would need to be able to record and read statistics, etc
Common Skills
Communication: As a public health professional, you would need to be able to communicate clearly and confidently. You need to deliver accurate information clearly, whether you are talking to community members, coworkers, stakeholders or health agencies
Leadership: Public health professionals often lead teams, guide communities through complex challenges and act as a voice of authority during health events. Leadership skills help you inspire others, solve problems and stay calm during fast-changing situations
Program management: You would normally manage projects. This might involve coordinating research, scheduling outreach events, running a campaign or managing resources
Research: Public health relies heavily on research. Understanding how different research methods work, including case control studies, surveys and database analysis, helps you interpret findings correctly. It also helps you make recommendations based on strong evidence
Problem-solving: You will often be faced with problems that need to be solved. You need to be able to look at issues and constructively provide solutions to them without being overwhelmed
Program development: You also need to be able to develop effective programs. That means planning the goals, strategies, timeline and resources needed. Program development shows employers that you can take an idea and turn it into something structured and effective
Where can you study Public Health?
If you want to build these skills and prepare for a strong career in public health, a formal qualification is the best place to begin. Many professionals complete a Master of Public Health, which gives them both the knowledge and hands-on experience they need. A great option to explore is the Public Health course at VU Online. Their programs are designed with industry needs in mind and give you opportunities to apply what you learn in real settings. It is a practical way to build the skills employers are looking for.
Final thoughts
Public health is an exciting field because it is constantly evolving and always in demand. The world relies on professionals who can understand data, lead communities, create effective programs and communicate clearly. The more skills you build, the more opportunities you open for yourself. If you are considering a public health career or looking to advance in your current role, now is the perfect time to develop the skills that will keep you competitive.
