Foreign Language Interpreter II

Alamance County Government; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Alamance County Health Department seeks a Medical Interpreter to ensure Spanish-speaking clients receive the same quality health services as English speakers. You will translate health histories, medical problems, and education materials from English to Spanish and facilitate communication between providers and patients in clinical and home settings.

In this full-time, on-site role, you will support nurses and physicians, assist with outreach and health education for Spanish-speaking

Qualifications

• Fluency in both English and Spanish required.
• High school diploma and 2 years healthcare/human services experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct medical interpretation and translation services for Alamance County Health Department programs.
• Translate health histories, medical problems, and health education materials from English to Spanish.
• Assist nurses, physicians, and other staff with interpreting as needed in clinical or home settings.
• Support outreach events and health education efforts for Spanish-speaking communities.
• Maintain confidentiality and assist with handling of patient information and documentation.

Skills

Accountability

Accuracy

Oral Communication

Written Communication

Compassion

Honesty

Integrity

Judgment

Safety-Minded

Teamwork

Education

Four-year college degree or two-year interpreter program

CHI or CMI certification

Job description

Job Purpose

Employee serves as interpreter to ensure the same quantity and quality of health services are provided to the Spanish-speaking clients as to the English-speaking clients. Employee is responsible for assisting nurses, physician, physician extenders, nutritionists, social workers and health educators in translating health histories, present medical problems, personal data and health education instructions and materials from English to Spanish for the clients. The interpreter is the conduit for all communication between the provider and the client.

Responsibilities

Provide direct medical interpretation and translation services for Alamance County Health Department programs which include clinical, dental, environmental health and home visiting services.

Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Interpret interaction/communication between Spanish-speaking clients and English-speaking staff
• Assist nutritionists, medical providers, social workers, clerical and other agency staff with interpreting/translating confidential information and medical terminology
• Present medical problems, personal data, counseling, health education instructions and materials for Spanish-speaking clients in either a clinical or patient home/work settings.
• Work with agency staff in the organization and implementation of special events that provide outreach to Spanish speaking communities.
• Provide educational classes and written material to meet agency and patient care needs.
• Assist in research studies and be the lead for working with Spanish population.
• Represent the Health Department on community planning groups that work with the Spanish speaking population and serve as a referral source when appropriate.
• Cross train to assist with coverage of other agency duties which may include but not limited to: patient registration/check in, finance, patient appointment scheduling, medical records and staffing the information booth.
• Interpreters may also assist with clinic flow, answering phones, faxing, copying, performing patient reminder calls, entering patient information into the computer, maintaining patient educational materials and assisting with clinic room supplies. Assist as needed with agency emergency response efforts, communicable disease outbreak investigations and emergency shelter coverage.

Qualifications

• High school graduation and two years of experience in a health care or human services setting with demonstrated fluency in English and Spanish.
• Valid N.C. driver's license and have access to a personal vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college or university or completion of a two-year Community College Interpreter program, and/or certification of CHI or CMI.

Skills & Abilities

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Oral Communication - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Written Communication - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Compassion - Ability to show kindness, empathy and genuine care.
• Honesty - Ability to be truthful, maintain high level of confidentiality and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Integrity – Trustworthiness to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge.
• Judgment – Ability to use good judgment and discretion as it relates to following policies and procedures.
• Safety-Minded – Creating a safe work environment; managing risks; reducing exposure liabilities.
• Teamwork – Ability to work with others successfully and productively for the common cause and desired end goal.

Health Insurance

Full-time employees are eligible for medical/health (Cigna Insurance) benefits upon the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.

Alamance County Government currently offers three plans of medical/pharmacy benefit options including 2 Standard PPO plans and a High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA.

Dental Benefit

Alamance County offers one dental insurance (Delta Dental) plan for FT employees at no cost. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment.

Vision Insurance

A voluntary vision program (Superior Vision) is available to FT employees. The current PPO style plan allows employees to seek treatment and hardware from any vision care provider of their choice. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment. Coverage must be elected within your first 30 days of FT employment or upon a qualifying event.

Voluntary Benefits:

Alamance County Government provides a variety of voluntary health related benefits (Voya) to allow employees to purchase protection from what life may bring. A sampling of voluntary benefits includes Flexible Spending Accounts with dependent care opportunities, Health Saving Account with an employer contribution, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Cancer Protection Plan, Group Critical Care Insurance and more.

Life Insurance

Basic term life insurance is the amount of one times the annual salary (no greater than $70,000) is provided for all FT employees. Additional coverage is available for purchase through payroll deductions for employee and eligible dependents.

Retirement Benefits

Membership in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System (NCLGERS) is a requirement for all full-time and regular part-time employees (working more than 1,000 hours annually). Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed.

Time Off Accruals

Vacation Time

Annual Leave is accrued based on years of service. Employees can accrue from 10-25 days per year.

Sick Time

All County full time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year.

County Observed Holidays

Alamance County will observe the State of North Carolina Holiday Schedule.

Wellness Benefits & Programming

Employee Assistance Program: There are times when everyone needs a little help or advice. The confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through a local provider can help you with things like stress, anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relationship issues, legal issues, parenting questions, financial counseling and dependent care resources. Best of all it's free for County employees and available for your household to utilize. Utilization of the EAP is completely confidential and participation isn't recorded.

Help is available 24/7/365 by telephone.

Alamance County Employee Health Center:

Available to employees and spouses who are covered under the Alamance County Insurance Plan and their covered dependents, 18 years of age and older. Retired employees under age 65 are also eligible to use the health center. Depending on insurance coverage elected, care at the clinic ranges from free to a fair market value cost.

Services Available

• Treatment of injuries or illnesses such as flu, sinus Infection, pink eye, sprains, strains or fever.
• Monitor chronic conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Health Disease, Asthma, etc...)
• Assistance with finding a Primary Care Provider
• Health Education and Counseling
• Triage and referrals to specialists when appropriate.
• Alamance County provides a variety of additional benefits including bereavement pay, Paid Parental Leave, Wellness Leave to focus on work-life balance initiatives, Volunteer Time Off (paid time) opportunities to be a part of the Alamance Community, to opportunities for professional certification pay.

Employee Fitness Center

Alamance County encourages all employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle both at home and at work. In support of this philosophy an Employee Fitness Center is available for all County employees to use at their convenience during non-work hours and is open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday-Sunday. This center includes weight training equipment, cardio equipment, a small aerobics room along with restrooms, changing room and lockers.