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Careers in Environmental Health
Environmental Health recognises that our well-being depends on our social and physical environment, as well as our lifestyle. Put more simply, our health depends on the food we eat, the air we breathe, our work places and the homes we live in. For further information on becoming an Environmental Health Officer (Powerpoint 1mb) please visit the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's guide to a career in environmental health at: www.ehocareers.org

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) work to improve quality of life now and in the future. A career in environmental health field involves anything and everything that affects public health whether at a local, regional or national level. In practice, on a day-to-day basis, this means that you'll use your specialist skills to develop, co-ordinate and implement public health policies designed to ensure that everyone has the same chance of a better quality of life in a healthier society.

EHOs are committed to improving public health. There are four important aspects to this work:

  • improving food safety and nutrition
  • improving housing conditions
  • improving the environment
  • improving workplace health and safety
  • How to become an Environmental Health Officer (EHO)
Environmental Health is a challenging and rewarding profession. EHOs work within Local Authorities but there is more opportunity becoming available for EHOs in the private sector. Becoming qualified as an Environmental Health Officer involves both academic study and practical training. Environmental health is a graduate profession and all would-be EHOs have to pass a CIEH accredited degree course at either an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

EHOs operate in a number of different areas including food safety, health and safety, housing and pollution control. You will be trained in all these areas and many others, including management and IT, during the path to becoming an EHO.

In order to become an EHO there are two things that you need.

  • A degree in Environmental Health
  • Registration and membership of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Further information is available on:

  • Full time accredited BSc and MSc degree courses
  • Part-time BSc degree courses
  • BSc course content
  • Practical training
  • Professional examinations
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website can be found at: www.cieh.org.uk