Finding a job during this time won’t be easy. Even if you want to work, there is no assurance that a company will hire you, despite your qualifications. Unfortunately, this pandemic affected most business, with many forced to close down to avoid incurring further losses. Until there is a vaccine that could put an end to the Covid-19, it will take time before we can all go back to our normal lives.
What can you do? Putting up your own business while waiting for deployment is a good idea. Apparently, there are many who are already venturing into this and it won’t be long before the market gets saturated.
If you’re looking for a good way to earn extra, then consider becoming a contact tracer.
But first, what is contact tracing?
Contact tracing is the process of identifying, evaluating, following up, and managing individuals that could have been or were exposed to the Covid-19 virus. If conducted effectively, contact tracing could:
- Interrupt ongoing transmission
- Lower the risk of spreading the virus
- Inform and alert individuals who are at risk of getting the infection
- Offer preventive care or counseling
As of this writing, the government allocated P5-billion for this and are currently open to hiring 50,000 contact tracers. 20,000 will be deployed in Luzon while Visayas and Mindanao will have 15,000 contact tracers each.
What does it mean to be a contact tracer?
According to the World Health Organization, a contact tracer has three main responsibilities:
- Identification
As a contact tracer, you need to identify the possible individuals that the person with Covid-19 came in contact or interacted with. This includes members of the family, friends, co-workers, and even people in the places s/he went to.
- Contact Listing
This responsibility covers creation of list of all contacts of the infected person. Consequently, those included in the list will be notified regarding the status of the person with Covid-19 as well as what they can do in case of close contact. Contact tracers must also provide necessary information on how to prevent transmission.
- Follow Up
Contact tracer must also monitor symptoms and follow up contacts for possible signs of infection.
What do you need to be a contact tracer?
- Ability to collect data
- Understands and respects the concept of patient confidentiality
- Great interpersonal skills
- Can explain Covid-19 clearly and in a manner that is easy to understand
- Must have ethical and professional conduct
- Ability to conduct interviews while maintaining patient confidentiality
- Must be resourceful in collecting, locating, and communicating not just with the infected person but also individuals with possible exposure
Application is open to ALL, although applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Health-related course will be given priority.
Is there a required training before you can become a contact tracer?
As of this writing, TESDA is offering an online course for contact tracer training.
With the help of the Department of Health and other health industry experts, TESDA was able to develop a training program that equips potential tracers with necessary skills needed for the job. The aim is to provide “world class and competent human resources for contact tracing.”
The training program will run for 15 days, which includes both online and face-to-face learning.
You can access the free training here.
How much can you earn?
Contact tracers have a salary grade 9, which means you can earn at least P18,000 every month.
Take note that the job is only temporary. although the agency is pushing for one year employment. Nevertheless, this is a good source of income in the meantime.
Where to Apply
The Department of Interior and Local Government, including its regional offices, are responsible for handling applications of potential contact tracers.
Are you interested? Simply visit the DILG office near you to apply because who knows, you might be qualified.