Join the movement:
apply to become a contact tracer

How it works

You can make a difference in your community in the fight against COVID-19 by applying to become a contact tracer.

CONTRACE Public Health Corps is an urgent national effort to identify, screen & train individuals interested in working or volunteering as contact tracers.

We provide this information to organizations that are hiring contact tracing teams, helping them launch or expand their teams more quickly and efficiently.

What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is the tracking down of infected people, and then finding everyone who has been near them and encouraging them to self-isolate at home.

Contact tracing has been used for decades to control the spread of infectious diseases. The basic idea is simple: track down infected people, then find everyone who has been near them and encourage those people to stay home until it is clear they are not sick.

How does contact tracing work?

First, public health investigators find out everyone an infected person has seen, and everywhere that person has gone over the previous several days.

“Almost every infection has a period of time during which a person with the infection is considered contagious,” said Dr. Prathit Kulkarni, from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Contact tracing is the process of figuring out who was in enough contact with the person during the time they were infectious that they may have been exposed.”

If investigators find people with symptoms, they may ask them to self-quarantine for two weeks and provide a rundown of contacts. People without symptoms may also be asked to self-quarantine and may be monitored to see if they remain symptom-free.

The above text on contact tracing is excerpted from the World Economic Forum explainer “What is Contact Tracing and how can it help fight coronavirus” by Lisa Rapaport

What does the position involve?

The Contact Tracer will use a web-based client resource management (CRM) platform to call all contacts of anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 to document a symptom check, refer them for testing according to established protocols, and provide them with instructions for quarantine. Contact Tracers will be required to follow all scripts, policies and procedures provided by the hiring organization, and comply with Department of Public Health training regarding confidential information related to personal information.

Qualifications

• US resident

• Ability to exhibit a professional, positive attitude and work ethic

• Excellent interpersonal skills required and ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse individuals during a time of crisis and distress

• Ability to show empathy to distressed individuals

• High school diploma, or equivalent required

• Excellent organizational and communication skills

• Ability to speak, read, and write English

• Second or multiple languages a plus

• Critical thinking and sound judgment required

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism

• Proficiency with computers

• Technology requirements: PC with Windows 10 and antivirus protection, and Windows Firewall; or Mac with Apple OS X 10.13 and antivirus protection; and personal mobile device to use for this job. A headset is preferred.

• Experience in clinical medicine and/or public health a plus.

• Strong preference for nurses or other clinical staff.

Qualifications based on standards determined by Partners in Health

FAQ

Does CONTRACE hire directly?
No. CONTRACE Public Health Corps is an urgent national effort to identify & pre-screen individuals interested in working or volunteering as contact tracers. We provide this information to organizations that are hiring contact tracing teams, helping them launch or expand their teams more quickly and efficiently.

Can I check the status of my application?
Due to the volume of applications CONTRACE receives we are not able to respond to inquiries regarding individual applications. Once you submit your application, we work with our partners to find opportunities for applicants suited to their location and background. If an opportunity is found, the hiring organization will contact you directly.

Is there a fee to apply?
No.

Do I need a clinical medicine or public health background?
No, but priority is given to those with that experience.

Are the positions home-based?
Yes. In the future they could move to an office.

How much does the position pay?
The positions average between $17-$22 an hour.

Is this full or part-time?
Full time.