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 work for government departments and agencies, consulting firms, universities, research institutes, hospitals, community agencies, professional associations, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers may specialize in an area of health policy development, research, or program administration like addiction research.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other 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 moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat 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 58% 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
$26.15
Minimum$33.94
Median$48.72
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,258
Minimum$54,616
Median$93,835
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.74
Minimum$33.28
Median$46.76
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 work for government departments and agencies, consulting firms, universities, research institutes, hospitals, community agencies, professional associations, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers may specialize in an area of health policy development, research, or program administration like addiction research.
Job duties
Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers:
- Help develop government health policy by reviewing relevant literature, conducting interviews, collecting and analyzing statistical data, and providing advice to senior managers and officials on issues like 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.
- Help comply with health standards and identify corrective action if necessary.
- Conduct evaluations and assessments of health projects and programs.
- Provide consulting services to clients in private companies 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 public.
- Present the views of an association or organization to politicians, government officials, the media, or the 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
- 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
$55,855 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$39,449 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$58,608 median annual incomeCape Breton
$46,598 median annual incomeSouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Public administration
Professional, scientific and technical services
Other services (except public administration)
Retail trade
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
25-34
35-44
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Master
$60,186 median annual incomeBachelor
$54,227 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$45,761 median annual incomeHigh school
$16,728 median annual incomeDoctorate
$59,537 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
Bioethics/Medical Ethics
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on applying ethics, religion, jurisprudence, and the social sciences to the analysis of health care issues, clinical decision making, and research procedures. They 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
Dietetics/Dietitian (RD)
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to integrate and apply the principles of the food and nutrition sciences, human behaviour, and the biomedical sciences to design and manage effective nutrition programs in a variety of settings. They include courses in human nutrition, nutrient metabolism, the role of foods and nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention, planning and directing food service activities, diet and nutrition analysis and planning, supervision of food storage and preparation, client education, and professional standards and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Health Policy Analysis
University ProgramThese programs focus on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to domestic and international health and health care systems. They include courses in contemporary health issues and policies, politics and economics of health care delivery, epidemiology, public health, comparative and global health, medical law and ethics, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
Institutions providing this program
Health services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
College, Trades, or University ProgramThis includes any general, introductory, undifferentiated, or joint program in health services occupations that prepares students 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
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to develop, plan, and manage health care operations and services within health care facilities and across health care systems. They 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
Sydney, NS
Human Development and Family Studies
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on basic human developmental and behavioural characteristics of the individual within the context of the family. They 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
Human Nutrition
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the relationships between food consumption and human development and health. They 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
Sydney, NS
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to promote mutual tolerance, inter-group cooperation, and the leadership and management of diverse groups and diversity issues in family, educational, recreational, and work settings. They include courses in ethnic and cultural studies, group psychology, sociology, anthropology, conflict resolution, human services and resources, and applications to various functional environments.
Institutions providing this program
Neuroscience
University ProgramThese programs focus on the interdisciplinary scientific study of the molecular, structural, physiologic, cognitive, and behavioural aspects of the brain and nervous system. They include courses in molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain science, anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system, molecular and biochemical bases of information processing, behavioural neuroscience, biology of neuropsychiatric disorders, and applications to the clinical sciences and biomedical engineering.
Institutions providing this program
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. They include courses in supervising support personnel, health and safety standards, public relations, and basic business and marketing principles.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Public Administration
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to serve as managers in the executive arm of government and focus on the systematic study of executive organization and management. They 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
Sydney, NS
Public Health (MPH, DPH)
University ProgramThese programs prepare students to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services and to function as public health officers. They 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
Public Health Education and Promotion
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on applying 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. They 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
Sydney, NS
Public Policy Analysis
University ProgramThese programs focus on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. They 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
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile