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Public health internship vs health specialist

The differences between public health interns and health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a public health internship and a health specialist. Additionally, a health specialist has an average salary of $47,740, which is higher than the $37,987 average annual salary of a public health internship.

The top three skills for a public health internship include environmental health, EHS and patients. The most important skills for a health specialist are patients, health education, and public health.

Public health internship vs health specialist overview

Public Health InternshipHealth Specialist
Yearly salary$37,987$47,740
Hourly rate$18.26$22.95
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs102,17872,463
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a public health internship do?

A public health internship provides students with a great learning opportunity to put into practice those educational principles and skills learned in the classroom. They will gain a better understanding and appreciation for the duties and responsibilities of full-time professionals in public health. This exposure will provide students with leadership skills and professional development learning opportunities. In addition, students have an opportunity to contribute to various health-related agencies and organizations. The internship location should be at a primary public health agency whose work reflects the best in the industry.

What does a health specialist do?

A health specialist is primarily responsible for the health and welfare care of patients in a community or medical facility. They are also responsible for providing consultations, conducting assessments and examinations, providing prescriptions, and recommending care methods. A health specialist may also diagnose and treat ailments and injuries, coordinate with other health experts, and discuss conditions with patients and their families. Furthermore, a health specialist may participate in public discussions to raise awareness of health issues and lifestyles.

Public health internship vs health specialist salary

Public health interns and health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Public Health InternshipHealth Specialist
Average salary$37,987$47,740
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $55,000Between $31,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-City of Seattle
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between public health internship and health specialist education

There are a few differences between a public health internship and a health specialist in terms of educational background:

Public Health InternshipHealth Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPublic HealthPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Public health internship vs health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between public health interns' and health specialists' demographics:

Public Health InternshipHealth Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 32.1% Female, 67.9%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between public health internship and health specialist duties and responsibilities

Public health internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage busy immunization clinics overseeing the administration of thousands of immunizations per day.
  • Assist in employee training for LOTO, fork truck operation and behavioral base safety program.
  • Provide assistance during internal safety audits, asbestos abatement management, OSHA respirator fitting.
  • Train and educate large groups on job safety awareness and CPR.
  • Familiarize with ISO 14001 and the control systems that support certification standards.
  • Assist in the development of strategies to improve education of TB contacts.
  • Show more

Health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain medical and legal case files in compliance with HIPAA.
  • Hire, manage payroll and provide oversight for research and administrative assistants.
  • Provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling and case management services to disable veterans and other eligible individuals.
  • Coordinate and facilitate workgroup and committee meetings.
  • Assist in running a life skills group for young adults with autism.
  • Work one-on-one with an individual who have autism and are visually impair.
  • Show more

Public health internship vs health specialist skills

Common public health internship skills
  • Environmental Health, 14%
  • EHS, 11%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Public Health, 7%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
Common health specialist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • Public Health, 8%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Veterans, 5%
  • Technical Assistance, 5%

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