Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide
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Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide September 2018 The Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide This page intentionally left blank 2 Version: September 6, 2018 The Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide This document is an endorsed project of the Environmental Health Officer’s Professional Advisory Committee (EHOPAC). It is intended to serve as a guide for all Environmental Health Officers – with an emphasis on those newly commissioned – who would benefit from a compilation of critical take-home messages to augment the start of their career. Multiple Officers have contributed to this document and as such, varying styles and opinions are expressed in manners that may or may not be representative of the EHOPAC, the Commissioned Corps, or the Department of Health & Human Services. It has been edited for clarity, accuracy, and relevance; however, it should be noted that a fervent attempt to retain the individuality and passion of the contributors has been a key goal of this project. The ranks of officers who submitted and contributed to articles in this guide have not been updated to maintain the integrity of the First Edition. 3 Version: September 6, 2018 The Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide This page intentionally left blank 4 Version: September 6, 2018 The Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide Table of Contents FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION ............................................................................................................................................ 7 ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION – Your Commitment to the EHO Category and the Commissioned Corps ................................. 10 Chapter 1 – Historical Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2 – PHS Etiquette and the Uniform ............................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3 – Career Assignments and Opportunities ................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter 4 – How to Put Your Best Foot Forward When Working With Other Services ............................................ 30 Chapter 5 – What to Expect While on Deployment ................................................................................................................. 36 Chapter 6 – The Competent Environmental Health Officer ................................................................................................... 42 Chapter 8 – Leadership Attributes .................................................................................................................................................. 55 Chapter 9 – The EHO Mentoring Program.................................................................................................................................. 61 Chapter 10 – Fostering Esprit de Corps ........................................................................................................................................ 65 Chapter 11 – The JRCOSTEP Program........................................................................................................................................ 67 Chapter 12 – Personal Occupational Health and Safety – CliffsNotes™ .......................................................................... 72 Chapter 12.5 – Taking Care of Yourself ...................................................................................................................................... 76 Appendix A – Environmental Health Officer History Milestones ....................................................................................... 82 Appendix B – U.S. Military Enlisted Rank Chart ..................................................................................................................... 85 Appendix C – Balancing the Seven Dimensions of Wellness ............................................................................................... 88 Appendix E – Basic Readiness Compliance Checklist ............................................................................................................ 94 Appendix F – Common Functions of EHOs ............................................................................................................................... 95 5 Version: September 6, 2018 The Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide FOREWORD The Environmental Health Officer community is one that I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of for my nearly 30 years with the U.S. Public Health Service and the Commissioned Corps. I’m proud to have worked in many diverse environments, different agencies, and among some of the most capable, resourceful, and competent people out there. As I wrap up my career with the Corps, my favorite memories center on those diverse opportunities that one just doesn’t get outside the U.S Public Health Service. Opportunities such as investigating a newly emerging disease (hantavirus); participating in an Alien Migrant Interdiction Operation with the Coast Guard; responding to New York City after 9/11; and leading a team of EHOs and other disciplines to assess shelters and schools in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita. I have also had the privilege of mentoring, both officially and unofficially, many EHOs who continue to amaze me with their skills, knowledge, and passion for public health. The point is, there is no greater opportunity to do truly unique and amazing things to support and provide for the public’s health than serving as an Environmental Health Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service. You are now part of a cadre of professionals that has the opportunity to keep the proud tradition of service to the public alive and thriving. Embrace the chance to do great things for those you serve. Do not take your commission for granted either. It took 8 years, five applications, and three appeals to get mine because of a previous medical condition. To put the uniform on and assume the obligations that go with it was one of the most humbling moments of my life. None of us do it alone. I am forever grateful to those who helped me over the years. Many have now retired and some have passed on. We all have mentors through all stages of our careers. When you get the chance, serve your fellow Officers by being an enthusiastic, wise, and humble mentor. If I had some advice to give, it would be to grab your career by the horns and make the most of it. While doing that, keep service to the public’s health first and foremost – they are the reason you wear the uniform. Consider geographic moves and changing agencies; the rewards of a well-rounded career are tremendous. As a uniformed service, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service has a rich and proud history with a promising future. Hopefully, this document will share insight to help you walk the walk and be instrumental in maximizing your role in advancing and promoting the nation’s health. Good luck on your Commissioned Corps journey! CAPT Richard Turner Editor and Contributing Author 6 Version: September 6, 2018 The Environmental Health Officer Survival Guide PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION This book is an unofficial guide intended to complement the many circulars and directives of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. It is written primarily for new Environmental Health Officers who may benefit from a sort of “boiled down” peer guidance. Officers with some experience may also gain useful information, tips, and guidance as they continue to navigate their career and contribute to this working document. Hopefully, all Environmental Health Officers will gain an appreciation for the information contained in this guide and will be able to relate it to their growth and progression as an Officer and as a public health servant. This guide is not meant to be a summary or CliffsNotes™ version of U.S. Public Health Service directives and circulars. So, if you are looking for an answer to whether your white blouse may be worn with your khaki pants as an optional summer uniform, then you are looking in the wrong place (the answer though, is a resounding NO!). Please refer to https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis for all official circulars and directives. Rather, what your fellow Officers are attempting to achieve in this reference is a sort of “field manual.” It may be best described as a “survive to thrive” guidance document. It is a peer-to-peer resource that will be helpful to fill in the gaps in the application of the PHS rules and orders. So much gratitude is owed to my fellow compilation authors, LCDR Elena Vaouli and CDR Luis Rodriguez for shepherding several of the chapters and to our editor, CAPT Richard Turner for all of their tireless efforts and continued passion and energy for over a year! I will miss working with them. I will miss the conversations with all the Officers and the dedication and adventurous spirit that allowed these pages to shape themselves. We are very proud to say that this guide also came from a wide cadre of our own