During this pandemic, workers in the Public Health Sector especially, are tirelessly doing their part so that we as a people can be safe and recover from this virus. In the region, there are provisions of education and opportunities in this field, and there are many locations where you can enrol for your desired career to become a reality. In this edition, there will be a list of courses/careers within the sector that can get you started on your journey.
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Academic Routes Technical RouteAcademic Routes
Before you start an academic course, there are a few things that you should consider:
- Entry Requirements
- What subjects should I choose to get to be suitable for the career/s I have in mind.
Be sure to speak to us at Brain Food TCI or any career advisor you may have access to, if you need assistance where entry requirements are concerned.
Secondary and Post Secondary towards Higher Education
Most, if not all high schools require you to do CXC’s, GCSE’s or any other equivalent, to be able to excel to Higher Education (college/university). In institutions in the Caribbean such University of West Indies for example you are required to have 5 CXC (CSEC & CAPE) OR IGCSE & GCE Subjects including Mathematics and English. If an institution does not have any of these listed when searching what is required, search for equivalencies through their admissions page or contact them directly for more information. Also, some courses may require you to have certain subjects that relate to the course, so be sure to check the entry requirements to know exactly what is required.
Higher Education
As mentioned earlier, CXC’s and or other equivalents are required to proceed to this level. In higher education, you have the ability to obtain:
Undergraduate
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
Postgraduate
- Masters Degree
- PhD
Depending on your journey and your career, you can decide how far you are willing to go in terms of further education. You do not need to go towards a Masters/PhD level unless it is required based on your field.
Academic Public Health Related Courses
Northern Caribbean University
BSc Nursing
In Jamaica, Northern Caribbean University aims to make sound clinical judgments based on nursing science and instil accountability for professional growth, through the provision of appropriate nursing care and lifelong learning. Pursuing this course can steer you to career pathways such as Public Health Nurse and Nursing Administrator.
Entry requirements may vary. However for NCU’s Nursing course they require five subjects, including three compulsory options, English A, Mathematics and Science. See requirements here to see what else needs to be obtained.
BSc Environmental Science
The Environmental Science course was created so that an individual can obtain a wide variety of positions in the industry and public service, and pursue careers in conservation, policy and government and non government organisations.
Entry requirements for NCU’s Environmental Science course require five subjects, including English A, Mathematics and Chemistry. See requirements here to see what else needs to be obtained.
MSc Public Health
NCU Public Health course qualifies you for jobs such as Health and Safety Engineers, Epidemiologists and Health Educators. The purpose of pursuing this degree, is to teach the individual to create successful public heath plans that will be required for the management of health institutions and hospitals dealing with the public.
Entry requirements vary, for NCU’s MSc Public course requires you to have Bachelors degree in any health related disciples an accredited or approved institution. See requirements here to see what else needs to be obtained.
University of Common Wealth Caribbean
UCC Executive Certificate (Occupational Safety and Health)
This is a short online course is created for the introduction to essential principles and legal framework, for the development and maintenance of health and safety programmes to individuals. It also has the intends for individuals increase in knowledge on factors such as controlling hazards in the workplace to prevent accidents and diseases.
As for entry requirements for this course, there are no prerequisites needed, meaning no subjects or anything else is needed in order to be considered for the course. Click here for more information.
MBA Health Care Management
If you already have a public health related undergrad degree, taking this course will elevate you to the next level. UCC’s Healthcare Management course, is a management development programme with core courses in areas such as strategy and organisational growth and information systems in organisations. Within this programme they include specialist courses for health care management such as:
- Healthcare Management and Delivery
- Healthcare Quality Management
- Business Innovation and Healthcare
- Advanced Study Healthcare Project
Entry requirements for this course requires you to have Bachelors degree in any health related disciples an accredited/recognised institution, work experience and other requirements. See requirements here to see what else needs to be obtained.
University of Technology
At UTECH’s School of Allied Health and Wellness, they have a three suitable courses that would be useful to the Public Health Field:
- BSc Medical Technology
- BSc Health Science (with Majors in Health Administration and Health Information Management)
- ASc (Associate of Science) Health Information Technology
All courses have their individual requirements and career opportunities. Medical Technology will lead to opportunities in research assisting and in licensed medical technology. Health Science and Health Information Technology provides career opportunities in Health administration, Vital Statistics and Hospital Administration.
General entry requirements five CSEC or any other equivalent passes, however for specific courses they vary. For more targeted information based on these courses click here.
University of the West Indies (Cave Hill, Barbados)
BSc Health Science
The programme is designed to develop and train professionals to pursue and establish careers in the health care and health science industry. The programme focuses on areas such a community health, environmental health and humanities and biomedicine.
Entry for this course requires the successful completion of science related subjects/courses at the secondary level or you can have natural and applied sciences at the tertiary level. Click here for more information on entry requirements.
Technical Routes
Rotation Program and Volunteering
Participate in local volunteering and public health related programs
The technical routes in this field are quite similar but 100% practical. With the both options below, you can obtain skills and experience that can lead you to a successful progression in the field and make it easier to get your foot in the door.
Rustic Pathways
Rustic Pathways provides individuals with the opportunity to work with health care professionals through this program on high impact public health projects in the Dominican Republic. Beyond the opportunity to work in a public health setting, they also highlight the opportunity to embrace local culture and practice/learn Spanish while you are there. The sixteen day program focuses on your exposure to specific global issues that exists in these communities and intends to expand your knowledge and exploration of key topics in this area.
To learn more about this program and Rustic Pathways click here.
Turks and Caicos Island Clinic Exploration Program
Right here in the Turks and Caicos, there is a opportunity that would be strongly encouraged to take part in. The program’s goal is to equip the next generation of health care professionals with a community oriented knowledge. They provide you with the opportunity to shadow health care professionals in their work environment for your best interest and they intend to steer you into a health care field that is suitable for you. Some of their rotation sites include:
- Paradise Smiles
- TCI Government Ministry of Health
- TCIG Veterinarian
- Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs
To get involved and to seek further information click here.
As we can tell, as life progresses, public health is very crucial and is definitely a vital field to focus on. Starting a career in this field is an admirable step and from the information provided to you, can start right here in your region and at home. Feel free to embark on those opportunties. Always remember, embrace all opportunities near or far.
Resources
Below is a list of articles that will help you on educating yourself about public health in the Caribbean.
Brain Food TCI 