CoVID-19 : Giving Way to New Jobs That Never Existed
CoVID-19 has ripped a lot of people out of their jobs. More than 40 million people — the equivalent of one out of every four American workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the coronavirus pandemic grabbed hold in mid-March. This astounding number has even surpassed the losses experienced during the 2007-09 great recession.
But contrary to expectations, CoVID-19 has also given birth to some new jobs especially in the healthcare sector. In an attempt to keep people safe from this public disaster, these jobs are focused on providing needed care and support to patients as well as frontline workers.
Read More: 4 Tips to Hire Healthcare Workers During CoVID-19
Besides, demand for safety-related roles will continue to grow till the CoVID-19 vaccine is abundantly available across every nook and cranny. Even if the pandemic comes to an end, these jobs will continue to exist with a focus to mitigate the CoVID risk.
1. Contact Tracers
Contact tracing is a control measure that prevents the spread of CoVID-19. It is an age-old method of controlling contagious diseases. However, it came to light only during the pandemic and since then has seen an upsurge in demand.
Contact tracers are responsible for reaching out to people who have been exposed to CoVID-19. These professionals provide health education and guidance and communicate with contacts to collect relevant data. Besides, they provide instructions for self-quarantine and make appropriate referrals to testing, clinical services, and other essential support services.
They follow designated scripts and comply with policies and procedures provided by the health department regarding confidentiality and data security for the handling of sensitive client information and protected health information.
2. Temperature Screeners
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on March 18 gave employers the green light to take employees’ temperatures to ward off the spread of coronavirus (previously this was considered a medical examination and was more or less a barred practice).
As a result, from boarding plans to entering shops, temperature checks have become a new normal. Due to this rising importance, few organizations are dedicatedly hiring employees to do temp checks. And, many companies are also repurposing their existing workers to perform the job. Before CoVID-19, there were barely any jobs related to temp check in the job market.
3. CoVID-19 Testers
These roles are mostly filled by nurses or nursing assistants with a typical wage range between
$20-$45 per hour. These individuals perform nasal and oral COVID-19 swab tests at testing sites, hospitals, nursing homes, or offices. Their major responsibility is to,
- Administer testing, skillfully and correctly, per standing protocols and practices
- Perform swab testing and sample collection.
- Ensure proper labeling and storing of collected samples.
- Enforce strict adherence to Infection, Prevention and Control measures, policies, and procedures ensure no cross-contamination occurs.
- Implement proper disposal of waste and biohazard following the organization’s policies.
- Provide excellent customer service for all clients receiving testing.
Eligible people for this position are EMT, Phlebotomists, Pharmacists, Respiratory therapists, CNA’, Dentists, Dental hygienists, Veterinarians, Vet techs, Students in nursing and medical programs.
4. Social Distancing Monitors
The Social Distancing Monitor is responsible for enforcing compliance policies and procedures following the COVID-19 Pandemic response plan especially the company’s social distancing policy. They ensure a safe and healthy working environment to prevent any CoVID related mishaps. Major responsibilities of the position are to,
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- Assist in the daily screening of employees’ health including temperature checks and questions around COVID-19 symptoms.
- Ensure employees and visitors follow all current policies and procedures.
- Adhere to all company rules, regulations, and enforce all preventative measures.
- Check if all employees are acting in adherence to rules and regulations.
- Place Social Distancing placard instructions and tape distancing floor markers at high traffic areas like the main entry, coffee areas, time-clocks, and hand-washing sinks.
- Ensure employees and visitors are keeping a distance of approximately 6 feet from the nearest person.
- Assist with the implementation and maintenance of programs to ensure company compliance with federal, state, and local safety-related regulations.
- Maintain the highest level of confidentiality at all times.
- Ensure compliance with company food safety policies and procedures including adherence to FDA regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
5. CoVID-19 Caregivers
Older people are more vulnerable to CoVID-19 disease than any other age group. Research shows that adults over 60, especially those with preexisting medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or cancer are more likely to have severe — even deadly — coronavirus infection than other age groups.
Read More: How CoVID-19 Will Impact the Future of Nurses?
This is where the role of the CoVID-19 caregiver plays a critical role. Handling such a vulnerable population requires a lot of precaution, medical attention, and constant care. Home health care services include,
- Primary Nursing care
- Illness-specific Care
- Medical social services
- Daily Care Services
