Foreign Language Interpreter II

Alamance County Government; North Carolina; On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Alamance County Government's Health Department seeks a bilingual health interpreter to ensure Spanish-speaking clients receive the same quality of care as English-speaking clients. You will translate health histories, medical problems, and education materials for programs across clinical and home settings.

Duties include interpreting between clients and staff, assisting nurses and physicians with medical terminology, and supporting outreach to Spanish-speaking communities.

Qualifications

• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• High school graduation and two years of health care or human services experience are expected.
• Access to a personal vehicle and a valid NC driver's license are required.

Responsibilities

• Interpret interaction/communication between Spanish-speaking clients and English-speaking staff.
• Assist nurses, medical providers, social workers, clerical and other 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 on outreach to Spanish-speaking communities and educational programs.
• Cross-train to cover other agency duties as needed and help with clinic flow and scheduling.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Medical interpretation

Interpersonal skills

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

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.