Contact Tracers

A minimum of a high school diploma is required for this position. Most employers do not require any previous experience in public health.

Contact tracers need excellent interpersonal and communication (including listening) skills because most of their workday is spent talking with a culturally diverse group of individuals on the phone, via e-mail, through videoconferencing technology, or through other means. They also need to demonstrate tact and empathy because they will need to convey bad news to people (i.e., that they could be infected and that they will have to quarantine themselves). Contact tracers must have strong investigative and analytical skills in order to effectively gather and assess information provided by contacts to understand the extent of their movements while infected. Other important traits include a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, the ability to work quickly, excellent organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism. Proficiency with technology is also important. Tracers must be able to use client resource management, word processing, spreadsheet development and management, and database management software.