Prestonians urged to help with Covid-19 test and trace programme

A recruitment drive is underway across Preston by Lancashire County Council for the Covid-19 test and trace programme.

LCC is looking for Community Swabbers to carry out the tests, and for Community Testing Support Officers to log the results and carry out admin.

These will be paid positions, and work will take place at test sites across Lancashire.

The drive-through coronavirus testing facility at Preston's College Pic: StePNE — The drive-through coronavirus testing facility at Preston’s College Pic: StePNE

The successful applicants will get full training. Full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided, as they will come into contact with people displaying Covid-19 symptoms.

The recruitment drive comes as Preston went into a government enforced local lockdown as of midnight on Friday 7 August.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We need to recruit around 150 people as quickly as possible so that we can continue to offer testing around the county. If we don’t have enough people to do this, some sites may have to close so it’s vital that as many people as possible come forward.

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“These are temporary, but paid positions. You’ll be given all the training you need as well as PPE to ensure you are safe while carrying out this vital frontline work. We’re looking for people who have the skills to do this work in a community test site.”

The Community Swabbers will need to correctly and safely administer nasal or throat swab tests, and Testing Support Officers will need to be able to use Microsoft Excel.

Applicants will need to be able to get to the test sites and be aware of the current Covid-19 government guidelines.

For more information, visit the Lancashire County Council website.

Will you be applying for one of these roles? Let us know in the comments below.