DFPM-Administration Hourly Research Assistant PRN10675N

In response to the global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, the University of Utah is working with the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) to recruit individuals with a public health background to be a part to “bending the curve” in Utah. The Division of Public Health has multiple paid positions available for contract tracers who will play an essential role in the COVID-19 pandemic response. Those selected for these roles will be trained by the University of Utah and follow current UDOH processes to trace and interview people infected with or exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

This position is considered Category IIA: Not required on campus and has the ability to telework remotely for the duration of the University of Utah’s response to COVID-19. An employee hired into this role will be responsible for providing space, telephone, printing, networking and/or internet capabilities at the telecommute location and agree to the terms of the University of Utah campus and Health Academics COVID-19 Telecommuting Agreement.

Responsibilities

In this role, Case Investigators/Contact Tracers will utilize an online system to aid them in calling people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and interview them to collect information about their health, possible exposures, and close contacts. The Contact Tracer will then notify all close contacts of their exposure to someone with COVID-19 and provide appropriate public health recommendations. The Contact Tracer, while talking with the person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (index case), provides information about isolation time periods and answers any questions they have; Contact Tracers are not expected to answer medical questions. Contact Tracers often link the index case and other contacts with community resources. This allows them to provide information regarding self-isolation to those exposed. The information collected from the index case and any contacts of the index case are entered in a specific way to meet data requirements.

Contact Tracing staff utilize a web-based surveillance system to monitor contacts, collect information, and send testing referrals. Contact Tracers need to be comfortable talking with people in a kind and friendly manner. They need to be comfortable asking personal questions, as this information is often critical in identifying the contacts of the index case. Staff are required to follow all scripts and standard operating procedures provided, and comply with the University of Utah as well as UDOH policies regarding the security and confidentiality of personal information.