Foreign Language Interpreter II

Alamance County Government; North Carolina; On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Alamance County Health Department is seeking an interpreter to ensure health services for Spanish-speaking clients match the quality of care provided to English-speaking clients. You will translate medical histories, health education materials, and communicate between providers and clients in clinical and home settings.

Responsibilities include interpreting for nurses and physicians, assisting with outreach events, and supporting clinic operations.

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 NC driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.
• Preferred qualifications include a 4-year college degree or completion of a two-year interpreter program and/or CHI/CMI certification.

Responsibilities

• Interpret interaction/communication between Spanish-speaking clients and English-speaking staff.
• Assist health 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 clinical or home settings.
• Work with staff to organize outreach events for Spanish-speaking communities.
• Provide educational classes and written material to meet patient care needs.
• Assist in research studies and lead work with the Spanish population.
• Represent the Health Department on community planning groups serving Spanish-speaking populations.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma

CHI/CMI certification

4-year college degree or 2-year interpreter program

Job description

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. 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.

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.
• 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.