Fight Covid-19
UH CONTACT TRACER PROGRAM
Help your community fight the COVID-19 pandemic by learning a new skill that is in high demand.
Contact tracers — known as “disease detectives” — are a powerful workforce that can help reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. To combat COVID-19 in Texas, we need thousands of contact tracers. The University of Houston has launched two contact tracing training programs:
Training for the General Public
The University of Houston Epi Corps program trains the general public to conduct high-quality contact tracing, and provides an overview of COVID-19 related topics, through a 22-hour, online course on Coursera.
Until December 31, the public training course can be taken at no cost (free), with receipt of a certificate upon completion.
Training for UH Students, Faculty or Staff Only
The University of Houston Epi Corps program trains UH students, faculty or staff to conduct high-quality contact tracing through a free, 12-hour, online program.
Registration for this course is closed.
If you are a UH faculty, student, or staff, you can register for the General Public Course through the link provided above.
Students currently enrolled in the internal course should complete all modules by August 7.
All certificates must be printed by August 7.
WHAT DOES A CONTACT TRACER DO?
- In contact tracing, public health staff work with an individual to help them recall everyone with whom they have had close contact during the timeframe while they may have been infectious.
- Public health staff (contact tracers) then warn these individuals (contacts) of their potential exposure as rapidly and sensitively as possible.
- Contact tracers provide contacts with education, information, and support to understand their risk, what they should do to separate themselves from others who were not exposed, monitor themselves for illness, and that it is possible for them to spread the infection to others even if they themselves do not feel ill.
About the Programs
Students will learn:
Training for the General Public
Course Name: Population Health During A Pandemic: Contact Tracing and Beyond
Course Organizers:
Bettina M. Beech, Dr.PH., M.P.H.
Chief Population Health Officer, University of Houston
Clinical Professor, Health Systems and Population Health Science,
Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
LeChauncy D. Woodard, M.D., M.P.H.
Founding Director of the Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute
Clinical Professor, Health Systems and Population Health Science,
Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
Fee:
No Fee (free) with certificate upon completion - Until December 31
Delivery:
On-line Modules
Schedule:
22 hours, self-paced
For more information about the Contact Tracer Program email contrace@uh.edu.
Training for the UH Students, Faculty or Staff Only
Course Name: Epi Corps COVID-19 Case Identification and Contact Tracing Certification
Instructors:
Bettina M. Beech, Dr.PH., M.P.H.
Chief Population Health Officer, University of Houston
Clinical Professor, Health Systems and Population Health Science,
Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
LeChauncy D. Woodard, M.D., M.P.H.
Founding Director of the Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute
Clinical Professor, Health Systems and Population Health Science,
Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
Eligible Participants:
Only UH students, faculty or staff
Fee:
No Fee (free)
Delivery:
On-line Modules
Schedule:
12 hours, self-paced
Trainees will receive a certificate upon completion of the program.
Registration for this course is closed.
If you are a UH faculty, student, or staff, you can register for the General Public Course through the link provided above.
Students currently enrolled in the internal course should complete all modules by August 7.
All certificates must be printed by August 7.
FAQs
When can I start the course?
Training for UH Students, Faculty or Staff
Registration to this course is closed. If you are a UH student, faculty or staff you can register today and take the General Public Course.
Training for the General Public
Once you’ve signed up, you will be able to start the course immediately on Coursera.
What is the cost?
Training for UH Students, Faculty or Staff
Free
Training for the General Public
No Fee (free) with certificate upon completion - Until December 31
Will I receive UH credits for the course?
Training for UH Students, Faculty or Staff
Credit hours are dependent upon each student’s area of study. Students should consult with their academic advisor regarding credit hours.
Training for the General Public
If you are a college student, you should consult with your academic advisor regarding credit hours.
Once I complete the training, where can I put it to work?
Contact tracers are in high demand by state and local health departments. Once you complete the course, reach out to health departments if you are interested in putting your training to work.
Please note: UH is not hiring contact tracers.
Is there any difference between the course for UH students, faculty or staff and the general public course?
Yes. While the courses are both online modules that provide an overview of contact tracing, the training for the general public also includes topics specific to COVID-19’s impact on special populations such as children, pregnant women and vulnerable communities and available community resources for each group.