Thousands Of Contact Tracing Jobs Just Opened Up — Here’s How To Apply
At this point, you have probably heard of contact tracers–a team specializing in ensuring those who have been exposed to COVID-19 are informed in an appropriate and timely manner. The United States is hiring for thousands of contact tracer positions across the United States in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The position is full-time, completely remote, and offers some great benefits. According to CONTRACE Public Health Corps (CONTRACE), contact tracers 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 given training on policies and procedures as well as on the importance of confidentiality in the position.
If you want to apply, you must be a United States citizen, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have written and spoken English fluency, and be proficient with computers (there are more specific computer software requirements you can find here). If you’re proficienct in multiple languages or you have experience in the public health field, you’ll be particularly well qualified for this job.
Of course, what we all want to know is, how much does it pay?
Benefits and pay seem to vary depending on the location, but CONTRACE says pay is between $17 and $22 an hour, while a job posting by the Fund for Public Health NYC cited a salary of $57,000 per year, and that includes benefits. If you have management experience, it is also worth considering a Supervising Contact Tracer position. A Supervising Contact Tracer oversees the work of a select group of contact tracers, making sure they’re following appropriate protocols and procedures.
On the other hand, this is a job that could feel super emotionally draining. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contact tracing requires the ability to provide basic crisis counseling, a sensitive interpersonal approach, and a deep understanding of the importance of patient confidentiality. Some of the online training for contact tracers is free and available now if you’d like to learn more about the role–for example, Coursera is offering a class titled “COVID-19 Contact Tracing” by John Hopkins University.
If the position sounds like a fit for you, you can apply via the CONTRACE website here. The application is quick and only involves 23 questions. Their team will then send the responses out to organizations hiring for contact tracers. Alternatively, you can look for Contact Tracer roles in your city and apply directly there.
Simplicity Bryan is deeply entrenched in the worlds of self-help, gratitude, personal finance, and organization. She’s happiest paddleboarding with her pup and storytelling with a purpose. You can follow her here.
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