A Contact Tracer gathers and records private information, including a patient's name, date of birth and address. When conducting interviews, they may also ask patients to describe their symptoms and recall the names of people they have recently interacted with. Some people may be hesitant to disclose this type of information, so ask this interview question to find out if a Contact Tracer candidate is able to communicate effectively to build trust and make people feel comfortable. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to empathize
• Desire to help others
• Strong listening and speaking skills

Many people a Contact Tracer speaks with are happy to receive support and guidance, but some may not respond as positively. Interactions with uncooperative contacts are bound to happen, whether due to underlying stress, frustration, skepticism or an unwillingness to participate. However, the way a Contact Tracer responds has the potential to turn an uncooperative contact into one willing to provide the necessary information. What to look for in an answer:

• Effective persuasive skills without appearing confrontational
• Ability to respond positively in stressful situations
• Sense of compassion and understanding for others

On top of performing administrative duties, including placing phone calls following a script, recording data and using computer software programs, Contact Tracers should also have certain soft skills. Having a sense of curiosity, sound judgment and interpersonal skills (e.g., empathy, persuasiveness, active listening) can help contacts feel comfortable and make them more likely to comply with suggested medical and self-quarantine advice. What to look for in an answer:

• Good understanding of the role’s duties and responsibilities
• Comfortable managing various administrative tasks
• Transferable soft skills

Contact Tracers work in a fast-paced environment where they must accurately collect, document and track a large amount of information. This means that time management and organizational skills are essential to their success. Asking questions specific to each patient’s situation and medical status is also important, so this interview question will help you pinpoint a Contact Tracer who can think critically and problem-solve — and will likely adapt well to the role. What to look for in an answer:

• Shows an interest in performing detail-oriented tasks
• Ability to work independently
• Experience successfully managing multiple projects and deadlines

When Contact Tracers conduct interviews, they collect private information that should only be stored and shared for the purposes of contact tracing. To protect patient privacy, Contact Tracers should never disclose the names of infected individuals and should follow patient confidentiality best practices, such as limiting the possibility of someone overhearing an interview. What to look for in an answer:

• Understanding of patient confidentiality
• Discretion
• Knowledge of HIPAA

Part of a Contact Tracer’s role is to get in touch with people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease. Receiving this news can be unsettling, which places extra importance on how a Contact Tracer delivers it. This interview question uncovers a candidate’s ability to be compassionate and deliver information concisely, which are good signs that they’re equipped to have these difficult discussions tactfully. What to look for in an answer:

• Experience delivering bad news
• Understanding of how to communicate with individuals in distress
• Ability to stay calm in stressful or uncomfortable situations

Much of a Contact Tracer’s role relies on their ability to enter data into spreadsheets. Not only should a Contact Tracer be detail-oriented and attentive to gather all of the necessary facts, but they must also be able to record this information accurately and completely. What to look for in an answer:

• Attention to detail
• Data entry experience
• Typing speed