GET A GREAT JOB AS A CONTACT TRACER
DCA is partnering with Tallo, the largest online professional networking platform for high school graduates, to help our recent grads find employment as contract tracers!
WHAT DOES A CONTACT TRACER DO?
Contact tracers work with public health departments to get in touch with all contacts of anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, determine exposure, assess symptoms, refer them for testing according to established protocols, and provide them with instructions for isolation or quarantine.
They also maintain contact with affected individuals throughout their isolation or quarantine and record any symptoms and other medical and personal information in specialized databases, while maintaining patient confidentiality.
WHAT SKILLS AND BACKGROUND DOES A CONTACT TRACER NEED TO HAVE?
The great news is many contact tracer positions do not need a college degree. Knowledge of medical terminology is helpful but not required. World language skills are a plus, as many affected individuals do not speak English.
All contact tracers must be able to:
Communicate in an empathetic and professional manner
Pay attention to details
Accurately record information
Problem-solve
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A CONTACT TRACER JOB?
A contact tracer position not only allows you to do meaningful work in the fight against COVID-19 but also could be a great stepping-stone to a career in public health. These jobs:
Typically pay $17—$25 an hour
Frequently can be done remotely
Often do not require a college degree
Many jobs are one-year temporary positions, so this will give you time to look for additional opportunities while earning good money and gaining valuable experience.
WHAT ASSISTANCE CAN DESTINATIONS PROVIDE IN GETTING A CONTACT TRACER JOB?
You can take advantage of this opportunity for free training and assistance by following these steps:
Register for the Career Opportunities in Contact Tracing webinar hosted by Tallo on Friday, August 14, 2020, at 11 AM and 2 PM ET. While we strongly encourage you to attend one of the live sessions, you may watch the video recording available afterwards if you are unable to do so.
Take this free 6-hour course on COVID-19 contact tracing offered by Johns Hopkins University through Coursera. After you complete the course, Tallo will update your profile with a contact tracing badge that will help you stand out from other candidates for the job!
Visit your state's website for recruiting contact tracers and follow the instructions for applying for these positions. (If you’re not sure where these positions are listed, check out our handy state-by-state listing of contact tracing positions.)
Be sure to emphasize your:
Communication skills
Knowledge of healthcare confidentiality requirements and medical terminology, if applicable
Experience with collecting healthcare data, if applicable
Any world languages you speak
You should also highlight relevant:
Class projects
Internships
Job shadowing experience
And of course, mention the Johns Hopkins course on contact tracing that you completed!
If you’d like a sample cover letter to help you get started, download this cover letter template and fill in the blanks with your information.
TALLO
Tallo is a web-based networking platform that allows students to connect with employers and colleges across the country. With Tallo, students create a profile that showcases their skills, experience, and interests—allowing colleges and companies to find them easily. Students can also use Tallo's built-in scholarship app to search and apply for college scholarships. In short, Tallo connects talent (you) with opportunity.
