Table 2.

Taxonomy for Documenting the Essential Elements of Public Health Work Done in Any Local Health Department

Tasks	Knowledge	Resources
1.1 Administrative Tasks Manage files, prepare reports and/or correspondence Phone communication with the public Use the Internet to get information Use e-mail Manage inventory Manage personnel (e.g., recruit, schedule, train, and/or evaluate staff) Supervise, plan, or distribute work to others Postinformation for staff use Process requests from the public (for services, information, or appointments) Schedule services and inspections Process billing, fees, and payments Financial management (including manage budgets) Prepare applications for external funding Manage contracts or service agreements Establish fees for public health services Develop public policy and/or regulations Enforce regulations Develop community partnerships Plan public health programs Manage public health programs Evaluate program performance 1.2 Service Tasks Serve on committees, boards, or task forces Register and enroll clients Deliver direct health services to clients Meet with clients Review medical records Conduct site visits, home visits, or inspections Perform health or environmental screenings Review facility operational plans Develop information and training materials Provide education to the public Conduct community assessments Represent the department at community meetings Interact with local or regional media Develop surveillance procedures Investigate health problems, including environmental health Obtain information, specimens, or samples Report data to the county or state Vector control Issue permits Plan for emergencies Respond to emergencies Take part in public health research	2.1 Administrative Knowledge Workplace safety General office skills (filing, record keeping, writing reports, correspondence) Job descriptions (yours, those who work with you) Chain of command in the health department General operating policy and procedures Mission of the health department The health department's plan for emergency response Human relations/managing people Principles of team learning EEO guidelines Accounting and budget management Contract requirements for the health department Federal or state grant requirements Quality improvement and performance measurement Strategic planning 2.2 Analytic Knowledge Problem solving Assessment (community or individual) Data collection Data analysis Case investigation Program evaluation 2.3 Policy and Program Knowledge Assets and resources in the community HIPPA regulations on confidentiality Multicultural diversity and tolerance Ethics, social justice, human rights principles Authority to operate (laws, regulations, and ordinances related to your work) Health education and training methods Social marketing Health needs and health risks of the community Distribution and determinants of disease in the population Community health improvement methods Community channels for communicating information Ecological model of population health Emerging public health issues (e.g., chronic diseases, bioterrorism) Local policy makers and leaders Utilization of health department services by the public Evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies Strategies for partnership and policy development Benefits and costs of public health programs Risk communication principles Principles of public health screening Participatory decision making Steps of program planning Definition of public health Core functions and essential services of public health Healthy People 2010 goals, objectives, indicators 2.4 Public Health Science Knowledge Biostatistics Epidemiology Basic human biology Environmental health science Social or behavioral science Routine lab tests and diagnostic procedures Genetics and genomics issues in public health	3.1 Administrative Resources E-mail access Internet access Personal computer workstation Desk space Mobile phone Mobile data collection device (PDA, laptop, tablet) Reliable communication with management team The health department group e-mail (list serve) Trained coworkers Epidemiology staff expert(s) Information technology support (IT staff) Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint) Geographic information software (GIS) Transportation Distance learning or other continuing education Safe, secure working conditions 3.2 Data and Information Resources Library of resources and scientific evidence (journals or publications) Population health registries (e.g., immunization, lead, cancer, toxicology) Referrals from community providers State health alert network (HAN) State health information network (HIN) Local surveillance data National and state surveillance data Data sharing agreements Public health websites (e.g., CDC, HRSA, EPA) 3.3 Material Resources The health code or local public health laws, regulations and ordinances Health department's media communication plan Healthy People 2010 Community health assessment or improvement plan Up-to-date directory of community groups and organizations Up-to-date directory of laboratories Up-to-date staff directory Time and activity schedules for staff Consumer satisfaction assessment Consumer complaint log Staff development plan and training log Staff performance evaluations Lab kits for collection and testing Health information that is translated and/or culturally appropriate for your clients Surveys, questionnaires, forms for data collection Health department emergency response plan County emergency plan 3.4 Outside Partner Resources State health department consultant Translator Community health advocate State epidemiologist Public health veterinarian State laboratory Other city, county, or state government agencies (private or public agencies) Area health education Center (AHEC) Medicaid and/or Medicare program staff Local emergency planning committee Researchers Legal counsel