Contact Tracer

Contact Tracer
University of Puget Sound
Job ID: 6264
Location: Counseling Hlth & Wellness Svc
Full/Part Time:  
Regular/Temporary:  

Staff Posting Details
Appointment: temporary, full-time, (1.0) FTE. Anticipated to end in June, depending on continued university needs.

Position Summary:

The Contact Tracer is non-licensed staff member at Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services integral to supporting COVID-19 mitigation efforts at the University of Puget Sound. The Contract Tracer will support COVID-19 mitigation efforts on campus including: testing, contact tracing, vaccine clinics, and other outreach events.

Testing (30%)

The Contact Tracer will support the COVID-19 testing efforts on campus. They will scan samples into the testing platform, ensure that adequate supplies are available at the test drop-off table, disinfect work areas, and monitor follow-up testing for close contacts of a positive case.

Contact Tracing (50%)

The Contact Tracer will call UPS students, faculty, and staff after they have been informed that they tested positive for COVID-19. The Contract Tracer will obtain information about their close contacts and provide information about the isolation period and connect the person with COVID-19 to resources for isolation on campus if necessary. The Contract Tracer will also notify close contacts of the person with COVID-19. The Contract Tracer will provide education, guidance, support, and resources to close contacts of a person with COVID-19. The Contract Tracer will also provide information about follow-up testing or the quarantine period (if applicable) and connect close contacts to resources for quarantining on campus if necessary. Phone calls with people who have COVID-19 and close contacts will be guided by standard protocols to provide instructions for isolation and quarantine, and information about testing, clinical services, and other essential support services on and off campus.

Outreach (10%)

The Contract Tracer will support outreach evens and publicizing outreach events including vaccine clinics, mass testing, and health education outreach.

Other duties as assigned (10%)

The Contact Tracer will support other necessary functions related to COVID-19 mitigation on campus.

This position will require prioritization, prompt action, and attention to detail in documentation. Accuracy of data entry and data management are key skills. Contact Tracers are required to follow designated scripts and comply with policies and procedures provided by Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services regarding confidentiality and data security for handling of sensitive information and protected health information.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Accurately enters names and scan samples into the testing platform. Prepare lab samples for shipment. Ensure that protocol for safe handling of samples is followed. Maintain a clean and organized workspace including management and organization of testing supplies. Support campus-wide mass testing events and other outreach events as needed (vaccine clinics). Employ dynamic communication and interpersonal skills cultural competency/sensitivity, respectful language, and empathetic interviewing skills to build rapport and maintain trust with members of the UPS community. Contact people who have tested positive to perform contact tracing and connect them to resources regarding isolation on or off campus by following a script and/or standard set of guidelines. Verify a person's identity during initial communication prior to disclosing confidential information. Assure confidentiality and carry out efforts to locate and communicate with clients in a manner that preserves the confidentiality and privacy of all involved. Notify contacts of a positive case of their exposure to COVID-19, following a script and or standard set of guidelines. Conduct notifications of exposure in a manner that maintains the confidentiality of the person who tested positive for COVID-19 and ensures that the identity of that person is not disclosed. Conduct check-ins to assess the signs/symptoms via locally designated method. Facilitate referrals for testing and medical evaluation for people who become symptomatic. Assess a person's ability to isolate or quarantine safely. Elevate complex situations to supervisor for futher guidance. Utilize a computer and phone with appropriate access to required applications, databases, and/or web-based platforms daily. Document pertinent information in COVID-19 contact tracing forms, and conduct data entry into health department data/surveillance systems while adhering to protocols for completeness, timeliness, and frequency. Collaborate and coordinate with supervisor to efficiently complete contract notification and monitoring assignments. Inform the team and supervisor when attempts to communicate with a contact are unsuccessful. Elevate complex situations to supervisor for futher guidance. Collaborate with other departments on campus such as security services, dining and conferences services, and residence life to faciliate placing students in isolation and quaratine spaces on campus. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position. Most work is performed in an office environment while seated at a desk. Some tasks may require lifitng up to 25lbs. CHWS is a medical and counseling clinic. All offers of employment are contingent upon providing proof of current vaccination for influenza, COVID-19, and MMR.

Qualifications:

Stong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, emotional intelligence. Ability to interact in a non-judgemental manner with culturally diverse populations and persons experience a wide range of social conditions. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to use sound judgement in responding to issues and concerns. Ability to read and write in English. Ability to multitask by listening and accurately recording information in a desired format. Ability to adapt to changing environments and receive constructive feedback. Ability to use discretion, maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct. Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff, establishing and maintaining collaborative professional relationships. Strong time management skills (organization, prioritization, multitasking). Ability to work independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team. Proficiency with use of computers (desktop, laptop). Proficiency with MS Office 365 (i.e., Outlook, Work, Excel) and equivalent Google Drive applications. Proficiency with use of mobile devices (smartphone, mobile apps). Ability to respectfully work, communicate and demonstrate collegiality within a diverse campus community.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience conducting telephone-based or in-person interviews, data collection and data entry are preferred. Experience with health education, community outreach, linkage to care, social services, or other public health services.

Minimum Educational Qualifications

High School diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent with up to two years of applicable community experience.

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Associate degree or equivalent with up to one year of applicable community experience. Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with no experience.

Compensation and Benefits : Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Application Deadline: Review of application materials will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.

Required Documents:

Resume Letter of Interest

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks. All new hires will be required to submit proof of current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster) or receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the university.

Diversity Statement:

We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives.

We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.

We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.


How to Apply
For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment

About Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college.

As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA



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