Thousands of source and contact researchers (BCO) called hundreds of thousands of Dutch people infected with corona in the past two years to find out where they had become infected and who they may have infected. Their job is now done. What are these BCOs doing now?
On 1 June last year, a total of 11,000 people worked as source and contact researchers, according to figures from GGD GHOR, the umbrella organization of the 25 GGD regions. Some of them (5,000) worked at one of the 25 GGD regions themselves. The others (6000) were active within a national pool. At the time, almost all source and contact researchers worked through an employment agency.
As BCO’er they called people after a positive PCR test, which was taken at the GGD. They “advised these people about the isolation and quarantine measures,” writes a spokesperson for GGD GHOR. ‘In addition, the BCO employee found out with whom the infected person had been in contact.’
Meanwhile, there are still 900 to 1000 full-time source and contact researchers working for all GGDs together. ‘They form the basic capacity.’ The national pool was abolished at the end of May. As compensation, these BCOs were helped by various GGDs to find a new job. GGD Utrecht, for example, organized a job fair. They are doing this now.
Also read at intermediary: This is how you take advantage of the shortage on the labor market
Roel Blok (36) was a source and contact researcher, active throughout the Netherlands
,,After my master’s degree in sociology, I was going to do research at the municipality of Amsterdam. Unfortunately, that was not possible due to corona. That’s why I looked for another job. And that had to be something where I wouldn’t come into contact with other people too much, because I still live with my parents. I definitely didn’t want to light them. Moreover, I wanted to actively contribute to the fight against corona. That is why I became a source and contact researcher in February 2021.”
,,The training to become a BCO’er was short. I learned most in practice. During telephone contact with people who tested positive, I explained what that means for them and how long they had to be in isolation. In case of health problems I referred to the GP. Some people react very emotionally. For example, I spoke to a woman who had corona and her son was also infected. Her husband had just been diagnosed with skin cancer. I also spoke to people who thought it was nonsense, then you keep the conversation shorter.”
How did you get the job?
,,I applied to a student employment agency, they lent me to SOS International and from there I ended up at the GGD. In the last two weeks of May I was mainly on standby. That means you are free, but must be able to sit behind the desk within 45 minutes to get started. I did get paid. That was nice, but I also wanted to be active again.”
How did you find a new job?
“Various vacancies have been shared from the GGD in recent months. A team leader also helped us find a new job with his contacts. Several former colleagues have found work in the call center of a bank. I myself was hired at the municipality of Amsterdam as a customer service employee. They found the experience I gained as a source and contact researcher valuable there.”
Annette Booiman (61) was a source and contact researcher at GGD Zaanstreek-Waterland
“During corona, my work as an independent coach and remedial therapist dried up. For a short time I was entitled to TOZO (Temporary Bridging Scheme for Self-Employed Entrepreneurs), but when the rules were tightened, because your partner’s income also counted, that stopped. I saw the vacancy for source and contact researcher come up. I thought that work would be useful and something that would suit me well, so I applied for the vacancy.”
What did you think of the work?
“I liked doing the job. There were always different rules, guidelines and protocols. We then had to figure that out again and it felt like pioneering. If you were absent for two days, it felt like you were missing information for three weeks.”
,,I also had a very nice group of colleagues. Together we worked on location and walked with a number of colleagues during the lockdown. At least, each for himself, but we all followed the app the detour† At the end of the day we sometimes did a ‘wall sit’ (muscle exercise to strengthen the thighs) to get the energy back up.”
,,But work as a coach and remedial therapist has increased in recent months. I combined that for a few months with the work of a source and contact researcher. Also because I really enjoyed working at the GGD as a BCO’er.”
When did you stop?
“I stopped completely in mid-May. More and more colleagues left and the new hire decreased. Medical students went back to their study or training location, older colleagues started working again before corona.”
“A number of colleagues still work at the GGD. We didn’t really get help finding a new job, but everyone knew that the work as a BCO would stop. At the end of April, I was given notice of dismissal, along with other colleagues. After mid-May, we were suspended for another 14 days so that we could take the time to actively look for other work while we were still being paid.”
Watch all our work and career videos here:
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.