Health Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers
(NOC 4165)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesHealth policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, produce reports and administer health care policies and programs. These jobs often involve communicating with the media and the public, as well as providing information and advice to healthcare professionals, politicians, and government officials. They are employed by government departments and agencies, consulting establishments, universities, research institutes, hospitals, community agencies, educational institutions, professional associations, non-governmental organizations and international organizations. Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers may specialize in a particular area of health policy development, research or program administration such as addiction research.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Health Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.
The median employment income for 62% of Health Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $67,263. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$22.50
Minimum$31.91
Median$47.18
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,258
Minimum$54,616
Median$93,835
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$26.88
Median$46.15
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, produce reports and administer health care policies and programs. These jobs often involve communicating with the media and the public, as well as providing information and advice to healthcare professionals, politicians, and government officials. They are employed by government departments and agencies, consulting establishments, universities, research institutes, hospitals, community agencies, educational institutions, professional associations, non-governmental organizations and international organizations. Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers may specialize in a particular area of health policy development, research or program administration such as addiction research.
Job duties
Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assist in developing government health policy by reviewing relevant literature, conducting interviews, collecting and analyzing statistical data, and providing advice to senior managers and officials on issues such as health promotion, regulation, standards and financing.
- Design and implement health projects or programs.
- Maintain, update and manage health information databases.
- Compile and analyze statistical information provided by private and public health care institutions and organizations and produce reports.
- Monitor and evaluate health care programs operated by government departments and agencies or private organizations.
- Assess compliance with health standards and identify remedial action if necessary.
- Conduct evaluations and assessments of health projects and programs.
- Provide consulting services to clients in private establishments or government departments or agencies.
- Respond to internal and external program and policy information requests.
- Produce newsletters, magazines and other documents to provide information to association or organization members or the general public.
- Present the views of an association or organization to politicians, government officials, the media or the general public.
Sample job titles
- clinical research program manager
- coroner
- health and social services liaison officer
- health care planning consultant
- health policy research analyst
- health promotion program officer
- home-care programs consultant
- long-term care program consultant
- mental health programs consultant
- occupational health and wellness consultant
Skills
To work in these fields, you should be organized, resourceful, and able to cooperate with others in a team. You must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. You will need an interest in research and familiarity with computers. Advanced computer and technical skills for data manipulation and statistical analysis may be required in some positions.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree or college diploma in health science, public administration, recreation administration or hospital administration, or a bachelor's degree in social science, is required.
- A graduate degree in health, social science or an administrative discipline may be required.
Other considerations
Both part-time employment and self-employment are relatively common in this group. Several years of experience in the health field as a health care professional or as a community or social service worker are usually required.
Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Annapolis Valley
North Shore
Cape Breton
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health Care and Social Assistance
Public Administration
Other Professional Services
Other Services
Retail Trade
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Doctorate
N/ABachelor's degree
$56,689 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$60,199 median annual incomeHigh school
$44,676 median annual incomeMedicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry
N/ACompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor's degree
$43,533 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$28,183 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$35,978 median annual incomeHigh school
$25,801 median annual incomeDoctorate
$60,991 median annual incomeEducation & training
Bioethics/medical ethics
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the application of ethics, religion, jurisprudence, and the social sciences to the analysis of health care issues, clinical decision making, and research procedures. These programs include courses in philosophical ethics, moral value, medical sociology, theology, spirituality and health, policy analysis, decision theory, and applications to problems such as death and dying, therapeutic relationships, organ transplantation, human and animal subjects, reproduction and fertility, health care justice, cultural sensitivity, needs assessment, professionalism, conflict of interest, chaplaincy, and clinical or emergency procedures.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Dietetics and clinical nutrition services - Other
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program not listed above that relates to Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Health law (LLM, MJ, JSD/SJD)
This program is typically offered at the university graduate level (Masters, PhD)This instructional program class includes any advanced, professional study of the law, policies and regulations affecting the health care industry, health professions, health services and insurance industries, and patients.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Health services administration
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the application of policy analysis, public administration, business management, and communications to the planning and management of health services delivery systems in the public and private sectors, and prepares individuals to function as health services administrators and managers. These programs include courses in health systems planning, public health organization and management, pubic health policy formulation and analysis, finance, business and operations management, economics of health care, organizational and health communications, marketing, human resources management, and public health laws and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Health services/allied health/health sciences - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any general, introductory, undifferentiated, or joint program in health services occupations that prepares individuals for either entry into specialized training programs or for a variety of concentrations in the allied health area. These programs include courses in the basic sciences, research and clinical procedures, and aspects of the subject matter related to various health occupations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
Health/health care administration/management
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to develop, plan, and manage health care operations and services within health care facilities and across health care systems. These programs include courses in planning, business management, financial management, public relations, human resources management, health care systems operation and management, health care resource allocation and policy making, health laws and regulations, and applications to specific types of health care services.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Human development and family studies - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on basic human developmental and behavioural characteristics of the individual within the context of the family. These programs include courses in the conditions that influence human growth and development; strategies that promote growth and development across the lifespan; and the study of family systems.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Human nutrition
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the relationships between food consumption and human development and health. These programs include courses in the cellular and molecular processes of food processing in the human body, related metabolic processes, the relationship of food and nutrition to disease, and nutritional needs across the lifespan.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Parks, recreation and leisure facilities management
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. These programs include courses in supervising support personnel, health and safety standards, public relations, and basic business and marketing principles.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Public administration
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of government; and that focuses on the systematic study of executive organization and management. These programs include courses in the roles, development, and principles of public administration; the management of public policy; executive-legislative relations; public budgetary processes and financial management; administrative law; public personnel management; professional ethics; and research methods.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Public health (MPH, DPH) - General
This program is typically offered at the university graduate level (Masters, PhD)This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services and to function as public health officers. These programs include courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, preventive medicine, health policies and regulations, health care services and related administrative functions, public health law enforcement, health economics and budgeting, public communications, and professional standards and ethics.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Public health education and promotion
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the application of educational and communications principles and methods to the promotion of preventive health measures and the education of targeted populations on health issues, and prepares individuals to function as public health educators and health promotion specialists. These programs include courses in human development; health issues across the lifespan; population-specific health issues; principles and methods of public health education; administration of health education campaigns and programs; evaluation methods; public communications; and applications to specific public health subjects and issues.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Public policy analysis
This program is typically offered at the university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. These programs include courses in the role of economic and political factors in public decision making and policy formulation; microeconomic analysis of policy issues; resource allocation and decision modelling; cost/benefit analysis; statistical methods; and applications to specific public policy topics.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
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