Public Health Investigator Resume Guide

Public Health Investigators are responsible for conducting research, collecting data, and analyzing information related to public health issues. They investigate the occurrence of diseases or other health-related problems in order to identify causes and develop interventions that will prevent them from occurring again. Additionally, they collaborate with other healthcare professionals in order to ensure the safety of individuals and communities through effective prevention strategies.

You have a passion for public health and the investigative skills necessary to help protect communities from disease. However, potential employers don’t yet know about your abilities – you must create an impactful resume that demonstrates why you are the perfect fit for their team.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

Public Health Investigator Resume

Table of Contents

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Public Health Investigator Resume Sample

Bella Kirlin
Public Health Investigator

[email protected]
395-348-4076
linkedin.com/in/bella-kirlin

Summary

Dependable public health investigator with 5+ years of experience conducting disease surveillance, researching outbreak control measures, and managing epidemiological studies. Seeking to use skills in data management and analysis at ABC Public Health Department to drive community-level initiatives that ensure public safety. At XYZ organization identified a previously undetected vaccine-preventable illness that resulted in 20% fewer cases within the first year following implementation of targeted interventions.

Experience

Public Health Investigator, Employer A
San Francisco, Jan 2018 – Present

  • Demonstrated strong investigative skills by gathering and analyzing data from over 250 public health cases each year, resulting in a 5% increase in successful resolution rates.
  • Reorganized case management system to streamline investigations, reducing the time needed for case processing by 15%.
  • Structured comprehensive preventative measures based on current epidemiological trends and identified risk factors; improved public safety standards across five county areas within the state.
  • Improved community outreach capabilities through educational programs regarding disease prevention strategies and proper hygiene practices; successfully reduced hospital admissions due to infectious diseases by 12%.
  • Effectively communicated with healthcare professionals, local government agencies & members of the general public when providing assistance or disseminating important information related to outbreaks or other threats to public health security.

Public Health Investigator, Employer B
Anaheim, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

  • Inspected and monitored over 500 restaurants, hotels and other food service establishments for health code violations; enforced regulations to ensure compliance with public health standards and reduced violation rates by 15%.
  • Mentored new personnel on the principles of environmental surveillance, risk management strategies and epidemiological research methods.
  • Represented the county in regional meetings related to food safety initiatives and collaborated closely with local agencies to develop action plans aimed at reducing contamination incidents in commercial kitchens.
  • Utilized laboratory test results along with interviews & surveys of restaurant staff members to identify sources of potential outbreaks within communities; took appropriate steps such as issuing warnings or citations when necessary.
  • Thoroughly investigated 25+ reports of suspected cases of communicable diseases across a 10-county region, providing detailed recommendations regarding follow-up actions based on assessment findings from each site visit.

Skills

  • Epidemiology
  • Data Analysis
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Risk Assessment
  • Health Policy
  • Program Evaluation
  • Research Methods
  • Health Communication
  • Health Promotion

Education

Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified in Public Health (CPH)
National Board of Public
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary/objective for a public health investigator should highlight your ability to collect and analyze data, identify potential risks, and develop strategies for preventing the spread of disease. You could mention any relevant certifications you have obtained or awards you have won in this field. Additionally, it’s important to emphasize your communication skills as well as your ability to work with diverse groups of people from different backgrounds.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Accomplished public health investigator with 10+ years of experience in epidemiology and disease surveillance. Skilled at collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating public health data to inform policy decisions. At XYZ Public Health Agency, led a team that identified an outbreak of foodborne illness by applying laboratory techniques for the identification of pathogens in food samples. Received commendation from the CDC for creating effective strategies to prevent future outbreaks.

Determined public health investigator with 8+ years of experience investigating, identifying, and mitigating public health risks. At ABC Health Department, conducted investigations into alleged cases of foodborne illness and other environmental hazards in order to identify the source. Developed a comprehensive mitigation plan that resulted in reducing potential outbreaks by 75%. Awarded for outstanding performance during outbreak investigation initiatives at XYZ Inc.

Amicable and detail-oriented public health investigator with 7+ years of experience in disease surveillance and outbreak investigation. Proven ability to work independently or within a team setting, analyze data from multiple sources, and develop effective strategies for mitigating the spread of communicable diseases. Seeking to join ABC Health Department as a Public Health Investigator and use my knowledge base to effectively protect citizens’ health.

Detail-oriented public health investigator with over 10 years of experience in analyzing and interpreting data to identify public health trends. Adept at developing effective strategies for preventing, controlling, and treating infectious diseases. Skilled in epidemiological methods, including outbreak investigations and disease surveillance. Proven record of success conducting research studies on the impact of environmental factors on human health.

Passionate public health investigator with 5+ years of experience in epidemiologic research and data analysis. Seeking to join ABC’s team as a public health researcher, leveraging deep knowledge of biostatistics software, statistical methods, and qualitative/quantitative data collection techniques. At XYZ Research Institute developed an innovative protocol for collecting vital statistics that resulted in more accurate disease surveillance outcomes.

Diligent public health investigator with 5+ years of experience in conducting epidemiological studies and field investigations to identify public health threats. Experienced in utilizing various data sources, including laboratory results, surveys, and interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the population’s needs. Seeking to join ABC Health Services as an Investigator where I can apply my skillset for the benefit of local communities.

Seasoned public health investigator with 10+ years of experience in epidemiology, infectious disease control, and public health surveillance. Adept at utilizing analytical methods to identify public health trends and assess the impact of interventions on population-level outcomes. Experienced in developing data collection systems for community surveys and designing programs to improve access to care among vulnerable populations.

Well-rounded public health investigator with 8+ years of experience in public health surveillance, analysis and research. Proven track record of providing timely data-driven insights to inform effective programmatic decisions. Seeking to leverage expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics and GIS applications at ABC Public Health Department to help promote better community health outcomes.

2. Experience / Employment

In the experience section, you should list your employment history in reverse chronological order. This means that the most recent job is listed first.

When writing this section, use bullet points to make it easier for the reader to digest what you have said quickly. You want to provide detail here and explain exactly what tasks you completed and any results or achievements obtained from them.

For example, instead of saying “Investigated health issues,” say something like “Conducted interviews with local residents regarding their healthcare needs; identified gaps in access to care which resulted in a successful grant application for additional resources.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

  • Investigated
  • Monitored
  • Assessed
  • Analyzed
  • Collected
  • Reported
  • Documented
  • Educated
  • Interviewed
  • Inspected
  • Researched
  • Evaluated
  • Coordinated
  • Collaborated
  • Facilitated

Other general verbs you can use are:

  • Achieved
  • Advised
  • Compiled
  • Demonstrated
  • Developed
  • Expedited
  • Formulated
  • Improved
  • Introduced
  • Mentored
  • Optimized
  • Participated
  • Prepared
  • Presented
  • Reduced
  • Reorganized
  • Represented
  • Revised
  • Spearheaded
  • Streamlined
  • Structured
  • Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

  • Prepared detailed reports on the spread of communicable diseases among local communities and identified risk factors; reduced outbreak incidents by 28% over six months.
  • Educated healthcare professionals, community members and students in public health principles, emphasizing prevention strategies to minimize disease transmission within high-risk populations.
  • Evaluated existing policies related to communicable disease control measures and proposed necessary updates for consideration of health authorities; successfully implemented 4 new regulations that improved compliance with safety standards at all levels.
  • Facilitated communication between stakeholders from diverse backgrounds including medical staff, policy makers, researchers & administrators during crisis situations involving suspected outbreaks or pandemics; ensured effective coordination of resources across various departments in times of need.
  • Accurately collected data from field sites using a combination of questionnaires, interviews & focus groups to assess the impact of certain interventions designed for controlling infectious diseases; generated comprehensive reports highlighting key findings which were used as reference materials for further research studies into public health initiatives.
  • Achieved a 30% reduction in the spread of communicable diseases among a population of 100,000 through intensive health education and outreach initiatives.
  • Advised local healthcare providers on best practices for diagnosing and treating public health issues; developed an educational program for medical professionals to identify emerging epidemics quickly.
  • Reduced the rate of hospital-acquired infections by 40%, leading to a $20,000 yearly savings in medical costs across four hospitals within two years.
  • Coordinated with other government agencies and community organizations to host weekly events focusing on prevention methods such as vaccinations, hygiene workshops, etc.; educated over 1,200 people at these events every month.
  • Independently conducted field investigations into foodborne illnesses that had affected 500+ individuals; identified source of contamination and implemented corrective measures resulting in 0 new cases reported post-investigation closure report filing date.
  • Spearheaded investigations into potential public health violations, conducting over 50 field visits and interviews to identify sources of contamination in the area.
  • Interviewed more than 150 members of the community regarding hazardous situations or exposure to infectious agents; identified key areas requiring immediate attention and intervention.
  • Analyzed data collected from each visit, including patient histories, lab results and environmental samples; generated reports highlighting findings with actionable recommendations for local government agencies that resulted in a 25% reduction in disease outbreaks within three months.
  • Proficiently used epidemiological software systems such as EPICURVE to track cases of illness among affected populations, recommending preventative measures based on research outcomes that led to improved containment efforts throughout the region.
  • Documented all investigations conducted by writing detailed case reports which were reviewed by supervisors prior to submission; approved reports served as evidence during court trials related to public health concerns resulting in successful litigation outcomes for clients involved.
  • Formulated and implemented public health policies and protocols to reduce the spread of communicable diseases by 30% over a 6-month period.
  • Resourcefully identified, investigated and reported on potential outbreaks in underprivileged communities while maintaining strict adherence to local laws & regulations.
  • Monitored at-risk populations for signs of infectious disease; conducted over 200 interviews with healthcare professionals, community members and other stakeholders regarding prevention methods & interventions.
  • Revised existing sanitation plans based on environmental data collected from local areas; reduced number of diseases related incidents per month by 15%.
  • Participated in various medical symposiums throughout the region as an expert speaker; educated 500+ doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals about best practices when dealing with contagious illnesses or epidemics.
  • Introduced and implemented innovative public health policies and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations; successfully reduced the spread of infectious diseases by 35%.
  • Researched, analyzed and documented up-to-date trends in disease prevalence within a given population; identified high risk areas for intervention programs.
  • Compiled detailed reports on outbreaks based on investigations conducted at medical facilities, schools or other community settings; contributed to an improved rate of reporting accuracy by 28%.
  • Competently conducted field interviews with individuals exhibiting symptoms of illness or infection in order to identify sources as well as potential contacts; effectively quarantined over 100 patients during outbreak situations.
  • Investigated suspected cases of foodborne illnesses linked to restaurants, grocery stores or catered events using laboratory tests; averted further contamination through timely implementation of safety measures resulting in zero fatalities reported across all inspected locations this year alone.
  • Collected data on disease exposure and epidemiological trends from over 500 individuals, analyzed the findings to identify potential health risks in the community and proposed solutions for preventative measures.
  • Presented comprehensive research reports to local government agencies that outlined long-term strategies for reducing public health disparities; proposals were approved within 6 months of submission.
  • Efficiently managed a team of 8 junior investigators by delegating tasks, providing guidance on project timelines and ensuring regulatory compliance at all times; increased productivity by 40%.
  • Reported outcomes from investigations directly to senior leadership regarding hazardous environmental conditions or outbreaks related to food poisoning or water contamination; improved response time by 50% with accurate data collection techniques adhering to strict safety regulations.
  • Expedited resolution of emergency cases involving communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, measles and HIV/AIDS through thorough contact tracing methods which resulted in improved containment rates throughout the region.
  • Reliably conducted interviews and investigations of infectious disease outbreaks in order to identify risk factors and provide recommendations for prevention; reduced cases by 25% over the course of 6 months.
  • Developed comprehensive public health interventions through epidemiological studies, data analysis, field surveys and other research methods; improved compliance with regulations throughout the city by 40%.
  • Streamlined administrative processes related to case management, record keeping & reporting requirements while working with multiple stakeholders; saved 4 hours per week on average due to increased efficiency.
  • Collaborated closely with health care providers, local authorities & community organizations on various initiatives such as vaccination campaigns that aimed at increasing awareness about preventive measures against communicable diseases among vulnerable populations across different neighborhoods.
  • Optimized existing protocols for investigation procedures based on new evidence-based guidelines set forth by regulatory bodies; cut time spent investigating each case from 3 weeks down to 1 week without compromising quality or accuracy of results obtained.

3. Skills

Even though two organizations are hiring for the same role, the skillset they want an ideal candidate to possess could differ significantly. For instance, one may be on the lookout for an individual with a background in epidemiology, while another may be looking for someone with experience in data analysis.

It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume according to each job you are applying for. This way, it will contain all the keywords and phrases that might appear on an employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS). The ATS scans resumes for certain characteristics before passing them onto human recruiters; therefore, if yours doesn’t have those words or phrases listed, then it won’t make the cut!

Besides listing relevant skills here, you should also discuss them further in other sections like summary or work experience.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

  • Data Analysis
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Communication
  • Health Education
  • Health Policy
  • Health Promotion
  • Program Evaluation
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Research Methods
  • Risk Assessment

4. Education

Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, mentioning your education below the resume objective is a good idea. However, if you have extensive job experience to showcase, it’s not necessary to include an education section at all.

If including this information is appropriate for your public health investigator role application, try to mention courses related to public health that may be relevant such as epidemiology or biostatistics.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a particular field. They show potential employers that you have taken the time to gain additional qualifications, which can be beneficial when applying for certain roles.

If you possess certifications related to the job position or industry, make sure they are included on your resume as it could give you an edge over other applicants who do not hold such credentials.

Certified in Public Health (CPH)
National Board of Public
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Bella Kirlin, this would be Bella-Kirlin-resume.pdf or Bella-Kirlin-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Providing a cover letter with your job application is an excellent way to express yourself and show potential employers why you are a great fit for the role. It gives you the opportunity to describe who you are, what makes you stand out from other candidates, and how your skillset aligns with the position on offer.

Typically made up of 2-4 paragraphs in length, cover letters should be kept concise yet informative. They act as a supplement to resumes by providing more detail about who you are professionally and giving recruiters further insight into why they should consider hiring you for their team.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Vern,

I am writing to apply for the position of Public Health Investigator with the Doe County Health Department. As a public health professional with five years of experience in epidemiology and disease surveillance, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

In my current role as an Epidemiologist with the XYZ State Public Health Department, I have gained extensive experience conducting field investigations, managing data collection efforts, and leading teams of public health workers. My work has helped to control outbreaks of communicable diseases such as influenza and measles, and my skills in data analysis have been critical in identifying risk factors and developing prevention strategies. I am also experienced in working with electronic data systems such as Epi-Info and CDC WONDER, and I have created several custom databases for use in public health surveillance activities.

I believe that my combination of skills and experience makes me an ideal candidate for the position of Public Health Investigator at your department. In addition to my technical expertise, I am a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills. I am confident that I can quickly develop relationships with key stakeholders such as healthcare providers, law enforcement personnel, and community members while still maintaining objectivity in my investigations.

If given the opportunity to join your team, I would be eager to put my skills to work helping you protect the health of Doe County residents. Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my qualifications or suitability for this position.

Sincerely,

Bella

Public Health Investigator Resume Templates

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