Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Working Life

Contract tracers work to connect with people who are newly diagnosed with COVID-19, inform them of their positive test result and later ascertain who they may have come into close contact with and offer advice in order to prevent the further spread of the virus.

The majority of the contact tracing role involves telephone based work in which the contact tracer will make a series of three calls-

Call 1- to inform the person of a positive COVID-19 result, to build a relationship with them and inform them how to protect themselves and others.

Call 2- to collect information about all of the people that the infected person may have come into close contact with so as to identify the others who are at risk of being infected.

Call 3- The close contacts who have been identified are then called and given advice on what to do if they begin to feel symptoms.

 It is then hoped that this series of calls will help to stop the spread of the virus.

During these calls they will be required to

• Communicate professionally and empathetically with clients in an investigative yet engaging manner.
• Advise clients on the steps they need to take in order to protect themselves and others.
• Identify and contact close contacts of clients to inform them of the need to restrict their movements and organise tests.
• Analyse the information gathered during the calls and translate to the risk assessment stage.
• Input data accurately into HSE COVID-19 related software

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
• Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
• Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
• Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
• Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
• Refer community members to needed health services.
• Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.
• Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.
• Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.
• Advise clients or community groups on issues related to risk or prevention of conditions, such as lead poizoning, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prenatal substance abuse, or domestic violence.

Further Information

• Contact Tracer- from: HPSC
• Contact Tracer- from: HSE
• Contact Tracing- from: Citizens Information

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Contract tracing is one of the key elements of the Contact Management Programme (CMP), the key public health strategy used in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Experience of or a qualification in Public Health is a great asset. Also sought is candidates with some clinical training, as you will be dealing with people undergoing illness or who are a close contact of one.

Contact Tracer- Level 1 Contact Tracer (these are clinically qualified) and Level 2 Contact Tracer (these are not clinically qualified). 

In line the National Vetting Bureau Children & Vulnerable Persons Act (2012) all persons working in patient facing roles will need to be Garda Vetted.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: office administration, care.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: office administration, care, clinical.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, administration, clinical, care work.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: business, administration, clinical, care work.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €24k - €43k

Salaries vary by Tracer type. There are 2 types of Contact Tracer
Level 1 Contact Tracer (these are clinically qualified)

€28,749k-€43,628k

Level 2 Contact Tracer (these are not clinically qualified)
€24,601k-€33,928k

Data Source(s):
CPL Health Care 2022/ HBS 2022

Last Updated: April, 2022

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: National government administrative occupations, Local government administrative occupations, Officers of non-governmental organisations.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

The strong employment growth rate for this occupation relates mainly to growth between 2020 and 2021, with employment levels falling by 7,000 since 2022. Despite this there was a relatively high level of recent job hires for this occupation in 2023, and it also featured strongly in online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) data. At 59%, this occupation had the highest share with third level qualifications across the group potentially leading to a level of skills mismatches.

Job openings are likely to continue, particularly given the size of the occupation and the slightly higher than average share of older workers. Upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

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