Epidemiology, Contact Tracing
The coronavirus brought us more than social distancing and fashion-forward face coverings. It brought an increased focus on epidemiology, the branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution and control of diseases. It also brought a whole
WHAT DO EPIDEMIOLOGISTS DO?
Epidemiologists gather health information pertaining to diseases or frequency of factors that influence health, analyzing data and disseminating the findings. They find work as university faculty, in research, in public health settings, government agencies, in private industries and with nonprofits.
HOW DO YOU BECOME ONE?
Epidemiologists typically hold graduate degrees, either in public health or in science. They can also earn a Ph.D. and focus on research projects and managing research teams. No matter what degree you get, epidemiology is a growing field. These trained specialists’ skills at designing studies and managing data fit in a variety of occupational settings.
HOW MUCH DO THEY MAKE?
According to the
Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary for epidemiologists was $76,230. Salary depends on lots of things, including degrees earned, experience, industry and geographic location.
CONTRACT TRACING
Contract tracing is a normal part of investigating public health, but it’s gotten more attention as the COVID-19 pandemic has raged on. Contact tracing is working with the patient diagnosed with an infectious disease to identify and support people who may have been infected through close contact with that patient.
Contract tracers are health professionals, but they don’t require any special licensure. They reach out to people exposed to a disease and provide health education and guidance to help head off any further disease transmission. Contract tracers may provide instructions for testing and quarantine or arrange for clinical and other services for the patient or potential patients.
These people are organized and detail-oriented. They take action quickly and can manage large volumes of data and documentation. As contract tracers deal with patients and potential patients, they follow designated scripts and comply with their health department’s policies and procedures. They must also follow all regulations regarding confidentiality and data security.
If you’re interested in becoming a contact tracer, you should have:
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to be non-judgmental and non-confrontational, especially when working with culturally diverse populations.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.