Communicable Disease Investigator COVID-19 Response

Job Description Template

Introduction: 

Case investigation and contact tracing is the process of working with a person (patient) who has been diagnosed 

with an infectious disease to identify and provide support to other people (contacts) who may have been infected 

through close contact with the patient. This process is a core disease control measure that has been employed 

by health department personnel for decades and is a key strategy for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The 

Communicable Disease Investigator position focuses on activities involving people with laboratory-confirmed, 

probable, and suspected diagnoses of COVID-19 (patients), AND people (contacts) who may have been exposed to 

the virus through close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Position Summary:

A communicable disease investigator is a public health professional providing support to a health department 

in the fight against COVID-19. The communicable disease investigator is responsible for reaching out to people 

with laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspected diagnoses of COVID-19 and providing health education and 

guidance in order to interrupt ongoing disease transmission. The communicable disease investigator will conduct 

interviews with patients to gather information including symptom history, source of illness, list of close contacts, 

and activity history while infectious. The communicable disease investigator will provide patients with instructions 

for isolation and make appropriate referrals to testing, clinical services, and other essential support services, as 

indicated. While dialogue can be guided by standard protocols, the interaction with the patient necessitates 

flexibility, cultural competency, and application of motivational interviewing techniques. A successful case interview 

allows for the collection of critical information about the case and potentially exposed contacts, while providing 

support, referrals, and answers to questions the patient may have. Developing a warm, empathetic rapport with the 

case is paramount to providing the most effective support and collecting the most accurate information to inform 

the next steps in the contact tracing investigation. 

The communicable disease investigator is also responsible for reaching out to people (contacts) who have been 

exposed to COVID-19 and providing health education and guidance to help them interrupt ongoing disease 

transmission. When notifying contacts they have been exposed, the investigator will need to talk with contacts to 

assess their symptom history and other relevant health information, provide instructions for self-quarantine, and 

make appropriate referrals to testing, clinical services, and other essential support services. This position will require 

prioritization, prompt action, attention to detail in documentation, and data management as the investigator will 

be conducting multiple investigations simultaneously. Communicable disease investigators are required to comply 

with policies and procedures provided by the health department regarding confidentiality and data security for the 

handling of sensitive client information and protected health information. 

Essential Functions:

• Obtain and review demographic, locating, laboratory, clinical, and risk information in order to determine 

investigation priorities, per local protocols. Depending upon local triage protocols, follow-up with healthcare 

providers to obtain additional medical and socio-demographic information and confirm patient receipt of test 

results and/or diagnosis of COVID-19. 

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• Initiate prompt communication with patients 

diagnosed with COVID-19 and their contacts 

through texts, phone calls, emails and other 

communication platforms as necessary. Every 

effort should be made to interview the patient or 

contact by telephone or video conference instead 

of in-person. For in-person interviews, 

guidance on recommended infection prevention and 

control practices at a home or non-home residential 

setting can be found on CDC’s Interim Infection 

Control Guidance for Public Health Personnel . 

• Use dynamic communication and interpersonal 

skills, cultural competency/sensitivity, tactful 

language, and empathetic interviewing skills to 

build rapport and maintain trust with patients and 

contacts of varied backgrounds. 

• Verify the patient’s or contact’s identity during initial 

communications and before disclosing confidential 

information. Assure confidentiality and carry out 

efforts to locate and communicate with patients 

and contacts in a manner that preserves the 

confidentiality and privacy of all involved. 

• Notify or verify receipt of a positive laboratory 

report or probable or suspected diagnosis of 

COVID-19. Provide patient with COVID-19 health 

education, per local protocols. 

• Obtain and document detailed information 

regarding patient diagnosis, demographics, 

COVID-19 symptoms and their onset date(s), 

clinical course, underlying medical conditions, and 

other risk factors. 

• Review clinically documented and patient’s selfreported COVID-19 symptom history to determine 

the time frame when the patient was infectious and 

not under isolation (contact elicitation window). 

Work with the patient to identify close contacts 

during the contact elicitation window, including 

household members, co-workers, and others 

who might have been exposed. Document date, 

duration, and location of exposure along with 

name, locating information (e.g., home, phone, 

email, work), pre-existing conditions and risk 

factors (if known) for each close contact, as defined 

by CDC or local jurisdiction protocols. Identify 

community settings (e.g., workplace, retail, travel) 

that may require further investigation. Identify 

inter-jurisdictional exposures (e.g., live in one 

county/state and work in another county/state, 

travel for work or leisure to another county/state/

country). Identify most appropriate methods for 

notifying household contacts. Depending on the 

circumstance, the investigator may be coaching and 

supporting the client to notify contacts (e.g., parent, 

spouse/significant other, children) in the home. 

• Notify the individual they were exposed to 

COVID-19, following a script or guidance to 

provide COVID-19 health education. Obtain and 

document relevant information, including contact 

demographics, underlying medical conditions, and 

other risk factors. Conduct all case investigation 

activities in a manner that maintains the 

confidentiality of the patient (or person who was 

diagnosed with COVID-19) and ensures that the 

identity of the patient is NOT disclosed.

• Provide guidance on COVID-19 control measures, 

per local protocols. This may include situations 

requiring the exclusion of individuals from work, 

daycare, or specific activities within a group 

setting. Identify appropriate referrals to a health 

care provider when needed.

• Provide approved information on isolation or 

quarantine procedures, including what to do if 

symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop. 

Coordinate any needed referrals for testing or 

healthcare, per local protocols. As necessary, 

conduct specimen collection and transport, per 

local protocols, following required training in 

specimen collection procedures and personal 

protective equipment (PPE).

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• Assess patient or contact’s ability to safely and 

effectively isolate or quarantine at home, with 

adequate water, food, and other necessities. 

Identify barriers to necessary interventions and 

facilitate appropriate referrals, per local protocols. 

Collaborate with key service providers to ensure 

expedited initiation of appropriate medical or 

social support services, per local protocols.

• Ensure daily monitoring of patients during 

isolation and contacts during quarantine—

temperature check, signs/symptoms—via 

application or other designated method. Facilitate 

referrals for additional testing and medical 

evaluation as indicated (e.g., clinical assessment 

due to symptoms, medical clearance prior to 

return to work) per local protocols. As necessary, 

conduct specimen collection and transport, per 

local protocols.

• Document pertinent information in COVID-19 

case investigation forms, entering data into 

health department data/surveillance systems. 

Document detailed information on close contacts 

and initiate contact investigations to be assigned 

to appropriate staff per local protocols. Facilitate 

inter-jurisdictional referral of patient or contact 

information as relevant. 

• Use a computer, tablet, and/or cell 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 a team of 

public health professionals (e.g., surveillance 

coordinators, surveillance triage and support 

staff, contact tracers, care resource managers, 

epidemiologists, clinicians) to efficiently obtain 

clinical information, provide necessary supportive 

services during for isolation, and notify close 

contacts of exposure to COVID-19. Inform the 

team and supervisor when communication 

attempts are unsuccessful, and practice problemsolving to find alternate methods for outreach. 

Elevate complex situations to supervisor for 

further guidance.

• As needed and appropriate, refer selected cases 

and contacts (e.g., clinically complex, living or 

working in congregate settings) to appropriate 

health department infection control or clinical 

personnel for further investigation or case 

management.

• Provides peer to peer mentorship, demonstrating 

case investigation and contact tracing activities 

for newly hired case investigators and contact 

tracing staff. Active participates in group 

discussions regarding problem solving and 

innovations for case and contact management.

• Participate in requisite trainings, regular program 

meetings, and quality monitoring improvement 

activities to ensure and enhance the quality 

of case investigation activities and program 

outcomes. 

• Maintain patient confidentiality and ensure that 

all information is collected in concordance with 

local data privacy and confidentiality standards.

Work Environment and Physical 

Requirements

The position will require responding to public 

health emergencies with rapid turnaround times 

for communication, initiation and completion of 

assignments. The position will require daily use of a 

computer, telephone or cell phone, and access to a 

secure internet connection. This position may require 

moderate physical effort including lifting materials 

and equipment of less than 50 pounds and involves 

viewing a computer screen 50 to 75 percent of the 

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time. The position may require both onsite and telework 

activities, while complying with all requirements for client 

confidentiality, records, and data security. The position 

may require appropriate training on specimen collection, 

infection prevention and control practices, and provision 

of any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) 

prior to conducting in-person activities The position 

may require working non-standard hours (i.e., evenings, 

weekends). The position may require some travel and 

occasional participation in off-site functions. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, 

including active listening, emotional intelligence

• Ability to interact in an empathetic and nonjudgmental manner with culturally diverse 

populations and persons experiencing a wide range 

of social conditions

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and 

the ability to use sound judgment in responding to 

client issues and concerns

• Ability to read and write in English

• Ability to adapt to changing environments and 

receive constructive feedback 

• Ability to use discretion, maintain confidentiality, 

and practice 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 part of a 

multidisciplinary team

• Proficiency with MS Office 365 (i.e., outlook, word)

• Proficiency with use of computers (desktop, 

laptop, tablet)

• Proficiency with use of mobile devices 

(smartphones, mobile apps) 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience conducting telephone-based or inperson interviews and collecting and entering data

• Experience with health education, community 

outreach, linkage to care, social services, or other 

public health services

• Experience in customer service industry

• Experience in public health

• Valid driver’s license and car insurance.

• Bilingual skills —fluency in the primary 

language(s) of the geographic area and 

communities assigned to support.

Minimum Educational Qualifications

• High school diploma or General Education 

Development (GED) equivalent with up to three 

years of applicable community experience. 

Preferred Educational Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent with up to two years 

of applicable community experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited 

college or university, with no experience 

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