Case Investigator COVID-19 Response Job Description Template

Introduction: 

Case investigation and contact tracing are the processes 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. 

Depending on the agency or jurisdiction, the case investigation and contact tracing roles may be carried out by 

separate cadres of personnel. The Case Investigator position focuses on activities involving people with 

laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspected diagnoses of COVID-19.

Position Summary:

A Case Investigator is a public health professional providing support to a health department in the fight against 

COVID-19. The case investigator is responsible for contacting 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 case 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 case 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 competence, 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 patient is paramount to providing the most effective support 

and collecting accurate information to inform the next steps in the contact tracing investigation. This position 

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

multiple investigations will be conducted simultaneously. Case 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 patient demographic, location, laboratory, clinical, and risk information available in health 

department surveillance systems or other data systems 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. 

• Initiate prompt communication with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 through text, phone calls, email, 

and other communication platforms as necessary. Every effort should be made to interview the patient 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. 

cdc.gov/coronavirus

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• Employ dynamic communication and 

interpersonal skills, cultural competency/

sensitivity, tactful language, and empathetic 

interviewing skills to build rapport and maintain 

trust with patients of varied backgrounds. 

• Verify patient’s identity during initial 

communications and prior to disclosing 

confidential information. Assure confidentiality 

and carry out efforts to locate and communicate 

with patients 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), preexisting 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. 

• Provide guidance on COVID-19 control measures, 

per local protocols. This may include conveying 

information on situations requiring the exclusion of 

individuals from work, daycare, or specific activities 

within a group setting. Identify appropriate referrals 

to a healthcare provider when needed. 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 approved information on self-isolation 

procedures, including what to do if symptoms 

worsen or new symptoms develop. Coordinate 

any needed referrals for testing or health care, per 

local protocols. As necessary, conduct specimen 

collection and transport, per local protocols, 

following required training in specimen collection 

procedures and personal protective equipment.

• Assess patient’s ability to safely and effectively 

self-isolate at home, with adequate water, food, 

prescription medicines, 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 selfisolation—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, facilitate specimen 

collection and transport, per local protocols.

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• 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 and sociodemographic 

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 with 

patients are unsuccessful, and practice problem 

solving to find alternate methods for outreach. Elevate 

complex situations to supervisor for further guidance.

• As needed and relevant, refer selected patients 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.

• Participate in requisite trainings, regular program 

meetings, and quality monitoring improvement 

activities in order 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 time. 

The position may require both on-site 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 the provision of any necessary personal protective 

equipment 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, 

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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 

• 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 year 

of applicable community experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited 

college or university, with no experience

cdc.gov/coronavirus