How to Become a Health Inspector in 5 Steps: Salary, Qualifications, Career in India

Health Inspectors are professionals who look after the health and sanitation in various industries such as hospitality, healthcare, logistics, etc. by conducting various quality checks from time to time. As per the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the job outlook of Health Inspectors is projected to grow at the rate of 13% between the year 2022 to 2032. There are around 1,38,000 openings for health inspector job roles every year over the decade. 

The average Health inspector's salary per month ranges from INR 27,500. The average Health inspector's salary ranges from INR 2.4 to 5.4 LPA based on the domain knowledge and experience. The Health Inspector salary in India with 3-5 years of experience can go up to INR 8 LPA and the salary ranges from INR 8.5 to 22 LPA with 5-10 years of working experience. 

How to become a Health Inspector in India? To become a Health Inspector, the candidate should begin by identifying the relevant skills and enhancing them followed by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field of Health Sciences, gaining experience by applying for internships, and building a strong portfolio. 

Table of Contents

• How to Become a Health Inspector?
• Who is a Health Inspector?
• What Does a Health Inspector Do?
• How Long Does it Take to Become a Health Inspector?
• Types of Health Inspectors
• Health Inspector Jobs and Salary
• Benefits of Becoming a Health Inspector

How to Become a Health Inspector?

Candidates who are highly interested in maintaining public safety, sanitation, maintenance and protocol can opt for a career as a Health Inspector in India by following simple steps such as gaining the required skills, education, etc. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to become a Health Inspector.

• Step 1: Meet the Health Inspector Educational Qualification
• Step 2: Acquire Relevant Skills
• Step 3: Get Certified
• Step 4: Apply for Internships and Build a Network
• Step 5: Apply for Health Inspector Jobs

Step 1: Meet the Health Inspector Educational Qualification

The first and foremost step is to meet the health inspector education qualification such as completing 10+2 in the science stream, preferably with subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s degree and enrolling in health inspector courses or certification programs to gain the required knowledge about the industry. 

Listed below are the health inspector courses that can be opted for by candidates to become a Health Inspector in India:

Health Inspector Diploma Courses

Candidates can also opt for diploma courses which are offered for the duration between six months to three years to become a health inspector in India. Listed below are the diploma courses that can be opted by students after class 12 to become a health inspector:

Health Inspector Undergraduate Programs

How to become a Health Inspector after 12th? To become a health inspector after 12th, candidates can opt for a bachelor’s degree in biology, food technology, health sciences, etc. Listed below are some of the undergraduate programs students can opt for to become a health inspector:

Health Inspector Postgraduate Courses

To enhance their knowledge further and for better career progression candidates can opt for a master's degree such as MSc in Health Sciences, MSc in Food Technology, etc. Given below is the list of postgraduate courses and colleges for health inspector courses:

Step 2: Acquire Relevant Skills

Candidates need to sharpen their skill set to be eligible for the health inspector job role. To become a Health Inspector in India candidate must have soft skills such as communication skills, attention to detail, observation skills, etc and must demonstrate hard skills such as inspection skills, computer literacy, safety measurements, code violation, etc. Listed below are the skills that a candidate must possess to become a Health Inspector:

Hard Skills

Listed below are the hard skills that a health inspector must possess

Soft Skills

Listed below are the soft skills that a health inspector must possess:

Step 3: Get Certified

To enhance their knowledge further and for better career prospects, candidates can pursue certification courses online or offline by various platforms and colleges. Listed below are some of the courses students can opt for to become a certified Health Inspector:

• Registered Environmental Health Specialist: Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS)
• Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP)
• Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC)
• Advanced Health Sciences Literature
• Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Health Sciences
• Change Agent in Health Informatics
• Leading Change in Health Informatics

Step 4: Apply for Internships and Build a Network

The next step to becoming a Health Inspector is to apply the skills and knowledge learned in a practical scenario to gain some experience and confidence. Candidates can proceed with applying for internships to build their resume and network.

During the Health inspector internship, the candidates will be involved in observing and assisting the senior health officers in various duties such as reporting, documentation, inspection, site visits, etc.

Also, Check: How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview

Step 5: Apply for Health Inspector Jobs

The Health inspector job opportunities are vast in both government and private sector in various designations such as Health Officer, Sanitation Officer, Health Safety Officer, etc. The average entry-level Health Inspector's salary ranges from INR 2.3 LPA. 

Candidates can start by building an impactful resume and cover letter including all important information. The job application can be made in the following ways:

• Competitive Exam: Many states conduct written entrance exams for recruitment as health inspectors. Most government organizations release Health Inspector recruitment notifications every year. These exams typically assess knowledge of public health principles, environmental science, food safety, hygiene regulations, and relevant local laws.
• Direct Application: The candidates must ensure they meet the health inspector qualification in terms of age criteria, educational requirements, nationality etc. before applying for the job. The job applications can be submitted online on the conducting body's official website. 

Listed below are some of the Health Inspector job designations and entry-level salary details:

Also, Check: How to become a food inspector?

Who is a Health Inspector?

A Health Inspector is a professional who looks after the sanitation, health and safety protocols, and risk management in various industries to prevent any health hazards. They are generally employed by industries such as Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing Units, Food Processing Units, etc.

Health Inspectors are skilled in handling various types of roles and responsibilities such as inspection, monitoring, and maintenance by collaborating with sanitation workers and health officers to promote safety in the work environment and public places. 

What Does a Health Inspector Do?

Health Inspectors are involved in various duties in a job role from coordinating with the team members, documentation, reporting, maintenance, quality assurance, etc. Listed below are some of the important Health inspector roles and responsibilities:

• Responsible for assuring the quality of the machines and equipment used for cleaning, cooking, and production and making sure they are maintained and sterilised accordingly
• Should make sure that the team and the organisation are adhering to the safety measures and hazard control protocols to prevent any accidents
• Regular inspection and maintenance of the workplace and ensuring that the officers are trained in health safety and emergency procedures

How long does it take to Become a Health Inspector?

It typically takes three years to become a Health Inspector in India as the process involves completing a diploma or a bachelor’s degree, earning the relevant skills and experience, building a network and applying for jobs and interviews. 

To enhance the skills and knowledge further, some candidates can also apply for Health inspector certification programs and doctoral degrees for better career opportunities in India and abroad. 

Types of Health Inspectors

Health inspectors are of different types depending on the area of the workplace, background, specialisation, industry, etc. Here are some of the types of Health inspectors and their job descriptions:

1. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists are public health professionals who research and investigate the causes and the diagnosis of various diseases which could cause hazards to the community and environment. They are generally employed in Healthcare facilities, laboratories, research centres, etc. 

2. Community Health Inspector

Community Health Inspectors are professionals who visit the community to inspect health and public safety, identify any hazards, implement prevention promotion programs and report to the authorities for any assistance required. They are generally employed by municipalities, corporations, the railway sector, etc. 

3. Radiation Safety Inspector

The Radiation Safety Inspector or Officers work in places or communities where there is a high radiation hazard such as cancer therapy centres, diagnostic centres, manufacturing units, research and development centres, etc. to ensure that the units comply with the radioactive hazard protocols by conducting frequent inspection and documentation. 

4. Occupational Health and Safety Inspector

Manufacturing units and healthcare facilities in India must hire an Occupational Health and Safety officer in the centre or unit to ensure that the emergency and safety protocols are being followed. The Occupational Health and Safety Inspector identifies and addresses any hazards to ensure the safety of the workers. 

5. Infection Control Inspector

Inspection Control Inspectors are responsible for maintaining the safety protocols to prevent any contamination or infection from being spread from one patient to another or to the healthcare practitioners by following all the hygiene and infection control guidelines such as proper hand hygiene, proper waste disposal, right techniques, etc. 

6. Food Safety Inspector

Food Safety Inspectors are generally responsible for making sure that the quality of food and ingredients meets the industry standards by coordinating with various levels right from procurement to final delivery. 

7. Public Health Inspector

Public Health Inspectors are majorly responsible for examining and identifying any health hazards to the community or to the workplace. They are also responsible for ensuring that everyone follows and abides by the rules and regulations to promote health and safety.

Health Inspector Salary in India

The average Health Inspector's salary in India ranges from INR 2.4 to 5.4 LPA based on the domain experience and knowledge. The salary range can go up to INR 22 LPA with atleast 5-10 years of experience.

Listed below are the health inspector job roles and the average salary:

Benefits of Becoming a Health Inspector

The Health Inspector's scope and benefits are enormous in India with an increase in health and safety awareness programs. Here are some of the benefits of becoming a Health Inspector:

• Job Security: With the increase in public health concerns and awareness programs there will be a constant demand for health inspectors to promote the safety and well-being of the public. 
• Networking Opportunities: The job role opens a wide range of opportunities to connect with people from different backgrounds and industries as the process involved in public safety maintenance is huge. 
• Work-Life Balance: Though the job demands emergency demands occasionally, the candidate will be able to maintain a well work-life balance with proper and periodic inspection and control measures
• Global Opportunities: Health inspectors are in demand in the global job market with the increased in demand for public safety and infection control activities not only in the workplace but also in public gatherings, events, etc.