CCAC to launch contact tracing course in effort to help safely reopen the economy

PITTSBURGH—The Community College of Allegheny County is offering a noncredit course that will train individuals to do contact tracing, which is essential to slowing the spread of COVID–19. Developed in consultation with regional health authorities, the course will comprise up to 45 hours of training delivered online via Zoom over a two-week period.

The aim of contact tracing is to connect with individuals diagnosed with COVID–19, identify individuals with whom they have come into contact, and proceed to get in touch with every contact discovered. Contact tracers may be able to work remotely and conduct contact tracing via phone or using other technologies, but some may need to go to people’s homes to follow up on contacts and conduct interviews.

This course is one of the many ways that CCAC is stepping up to quickly respond to the workforce needs in the region. It will support Governor Tom Wolf’s plan to create the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps, a public service initiative that will boost efforts to increase testing and contact tracing and provide critical new job opportunities in the public health sector. Due to the COVID–19 pandemic, the United States will need a rapid scale-up in the public health workforce dedicated to case identification and contact tracing.

The course will begin later this month and will be taught by an experienced health care educator with more than 20 years’ experience. Students must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or the equivalent. A health care background is helpful but not required. The course is also ideal for individuals seeking an entry-level position in the health care field. The training is free to those who qualify.

To register for the course, call 412.788.7507 or contact Jodi Campano at jcampano@ccac.edu.