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Army Air Force Navy

Public Health Officer

OFFICER | Full Time, Part Time

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Overview Training Entry plans Part time options
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    • Overview

    Public Health Officers work to reduce and prevent the public health threats to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members to keep them healthy and ready for operations. They inspect facilities to ensure proper hygiene measures are followed; assess the potability of water in various settings; provide public health threat assessments to command teams; assist local medical authorities in the prevention and management of communicable diseases; and provide information sessions and educational materials to CAF members on a variety of health topics, such as field hygiene and travel health.

    Public Health Officers are specialists in public health and the hygiene dimensions of military operations, as well as the everyday public health needs of CAF members on base. Their role is to ensure that the people they serve remain healthy and ready for service through counselling, inspections, and the application of civilian and military regulations, standards, and best practices in the following areas:

    Site Inspections

    • Food service establishments;
    • Personal service establishments;
    • Lodging facilities;
    • Field installations;
    • Reconnaissance of operational sites;
    • Naval vessels; and
    • Integrated pest management program evaluations.

    Water Analysis

    • Potable water system quality control;
    • Indoor recreational waters; and
    • Outdoor recreational waters.

    Communicable Disease Prevention

    • Public health threat assessments in operational settings;
    • Education and counselling for troops and command teams;
    • Recommendations for mitigation measures to chains of command; and
    • Outbreak investigations to identify the source and cause, implement remediation measures, and prevent similar events in the future.

    Providing Public Health Expertise to:

    • Command teams;
    • Medical personnel (from combat medics to physicians);
    • Civilian public health organisations; and
    • The general public.

    Work environment

    Public Health Officers typically work in Canadian Forces Health Services Centers, CAF Health Services Headquarters, or operational medical units. They may be assigned to a Health Hazard Assessment Team, the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Center or the Medical Intelligence Team. They may be posted to support the operations of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Canadian Air Force, in Canada or around the world.

    If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

    Related Civilian Occupations

    • Public Health Inspector
    • Public Health Inspector Supervisor
    • Medical Intelligence Analyst
    • Environmental Health Officer

    Training

    After enrolment, Public Health Officers attend Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 12 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic Military Officer Qualification training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

    Learn more about Basic Training here.

    Public Health Officers must complete the Common Health Services Officer Course (CHSOC), an eight-day e-learning course available through the Defence Learning Network (DLN). The CHSOC introduces Public Health Officers to Canadian Armed Forces policies and procedures, as well as the human resources management of military members and civilian personnel.

    Public Health Officers work under the supervision of a Public Health Officer holding the Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada) [CPHI(C)], granted by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI), until they obtain the certification themselves. This requirement ensures that CAF Public Health Officers are trained to the same standard as their civilian counterparts and supports the development of an operationally competent and independent level of practice as quickly as possible while they continue to serve as CAF members.

    Public Health Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses, professional conferences, and on-the-job training, including:

    • Military Leadership;
    • Instructional Techniques; and
    • Project Management and Administration.

    As they progress in their career, Public Health Officers who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training through graduate studies in the field of public health.

    Entry plans

    The minimum required education for this position is a four-year honours bachelor’s degree from a Canadian university accredited by the CIPHI Board of Certification (BoC), and/or the CPHI(C) certification. The CAF will assess whether your academic program and certification meet the training and employment requirements for the occupation and will consult with the CIPHI BoC CAF representative, as required, to confirm your eligibility for the certification practicum and examination. Following successful completion of Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ), candidates may be placed directly into an on-the-job training program. BMOQ and the required military occupation training must be completed before being assigned to a position as a Public Health Inspector.

    For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca

     

    Learn more about CIPHI and its accredited programs here.

    Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP)

    Due to the requirement for CAF officers to obtain a university degree, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a bachelor’s degree program at a civilian Canadian University. Recruits will receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for working in the CAF for a period of time. Candidates must attend a civilian Canadian University as the Royal Canadian Military College System does not offer a degree that matches this occupation. If you are applying for this program, you must apply to the CAF and a Canadian university concurrently as the CAF does not have reserved seats.

    For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca

    Learn more about our Paid Education programs here.

    Part time options

    The role of the Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves is to provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain Canadian Forces Health Services organizations for CAF operations and training activities, while building and maintaining links between the CAF and the local community.

    As a health care professional in the Health Services Reserves, you must hold the CPHI(C) certification or be eligible for the certification practicum and examination. You must also be able to maintain your certification and complete the required professional development hours through your civilian employment. 

    This position is available for part-time employment through the Reserves. Reservists generally work part-time for a Reserve health services unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

    Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. Applicants with an undergraduate degree from a CIPHI-accredited program who are eligible for the CIPHI BoC practicum and examination may be placed directly into the required military occupation training program following BMOQ.

    Reserve Public Health Officers may serve part-time at a Health Services unit, such as a Field Ambulance unit, and may also have opportunities to serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms. They are paid 92.8% of Regular Force pay rates and receive a benefits package.