KFL&A Public Health has immediate need for volunteers

KFL&A Public Health has urgent need of volunteers to help with contact tracing, related to an upswing in case numbers this week.

After recent outbreaks at Third Day Worship Center, and the LiveWell Centre in downtown Kingston, Public Health is looking for people willing to undergo training, and who are able attend the main Public Health office for two or three shifts ranging from four to eight hours January through April 2021.

On the KFL&A Public Health website they say this work is very important to the community’s health and contact tracers play a critical role. If you are interested in joining their current volunteer complement to strengthen the agency’s capacity to respond to COVID-19, please review the requirements below to see if this is a fit for you.

If you are comfortable speaking with people about uncomfortable topics, have strong computer skills (will be using a web-based contact tracing software), can work independently and are able to physically come to the main office for training and to work (may be remote opportunities in future),

AND

You can commit to completing the training outlined below (average 7-10 days) and are available to work 2 to 3 shifts (4 or 8 hour shifts) per week between January and April 2021,

Public Health urges you to apply as soon as possible, to help keep the community informed.

Please note: the actual requirement and timing of shifts will be dependent on the outbreak numbers in the community.

Public Health says training will include:

• John Hopkins Contact tracing modules– approximately 5 hours that can be done independently by December 31st;
• General orientation (1 day – date first week of January TBD);
• Specific procedural training and basic legislative training required for all volunteers;
• Position specific training (2 days split between the classroom and the unit – dates in the first and second week of January);
• Approximately 6 buddy shifts to become proficient (early January following position specific training).

Email [email protected] by Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, including a resume or summary of your skill set that would support this type of work together with more detail regarding your time availability. Public Health says they will be screening based on the above criteria and giving those with similar healthcare experience priority. It is important that there is a good fit between the volunteer and the work that is required.