How important is public health practitioner registration to UK public health employers?

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to understand the extent to which public health practitioner registration is encouraged by UK employers through recruitment, i.e. by including registration as an essential or desirable criterion in job descriptions and person specifications.

Study design: A repeated survey was conducted on two main UK public health job websites.

Methods: Data were collected via a repeated structured search of all public health practitioner posts advertised in two specified weeks in March and September 2018 on two main UK public health jobs websites: local government jobs and National Health Service (NHS) jobs.

Results: Fifty-six posts were identified for inclusion in the study. Only one post (2% of the total) required UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) registration or working towards registration. It was more common but still a minority (13% or 23%) of posts to require registration with any relevant register (e.g. UKPHR, Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health and Care Professions Council). Most employers demonstrated a desire for flexibility with none requiring an MSc Public Health and a majority requiring any relevant degree or equivalent experience (46% or 82%). Evidence of continuing professional development was also commonly required (34% or 61%).

Conclusion: There is currently a mismatch between UK national policy support for public health practitioner registration and the value that registered practitioners place on it and the recruitment polices of many UK public health employers.

Keywords: Public health employers; Public health practitioner; Registration.