Human Services Assistant

Fairfax County Government; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government’s Health Department seeks a bilingual interpreter to support limited English proficiency clients across clinics and home visits. The role collaborates with public health nurses and medical staff to obtain health histories, communicate care plans, and translate materials.

Responsibilities include documenting in accordance with agency policies, teaching car seat classes in English and Spanish, and providing culturally sensitive education while maintaining confidentiality

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Three years of work experience, including two years in human services.
• Successful completion of Foreign Language Proficiency assessment within 1 week of hire.
• Valid driver’s license.
• CPR, AED, and BLS certifications required within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Interpret for limited English proficiency clients in clinics, community sites, or home visits.
• Translate written materials as directed by health personnel.
• Communicate health assessment and lab results to clients.
• Educate clients on preventive care and early intervention.
• Document according to agency guidelines; support car seat program with English/Spanish classes.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Skills

Human behavior understanding

Written communication

Oral communication

Data management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Excel

Survey software

Job description

The Fairfax County Health Department is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents and providing services that promote population health, protect public health and the environment, and ensure residents' equitable access to health services and information.

Provides interpretation for limited proficiency English speaking clients in clinic, community site or home visit settings. Works closely with public health nurses and medical personnel to solicit health history information and communicate a plan of care to clients. Translates written materials as directed by public health nurses and medical personnel. Communicates results of health assessments and laboratory tests to clients. Instructs clients about the need for preventative health care and early intervention. Provides culturally sensitive client/community education and health care services. Documents according to agency guidelines and policies. Will also support the car seat program by teaching car seat classes to expectant parents in both English and Spanish. Completes other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the basic principles of human behavior;
• Knowledge of word processing and data management programs (Excel, survey software);
• Ability to communicate effectively to clients;
• Ability to organize information and records;
• Ability to communicate in written format.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”). Graduation from high school or G.E.D issued by state department of education; plus three years of work experience, including two years in some area of human services (related two-year [associate] degree may be substituted for the required human service experience).

Certificates and Licenses Required:

• Valid driver's license.
• Successful completion of Foreign Language Proficiency assessment within 1 week of hire and maintain required certification credentials for duration of employment in the interpreter position.
• Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Low-Income Safety Seat Distribution Program Certification (Required annually after hire).
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (Required within 30 days).
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification (Required within 30 days).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) (Required within 30 days).

Necessary Special Requirements:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, driving record check, sanction screenings, and tuberculosis (TB) test to the satisfaction of the employer.

Candidate must pass the following upon hire: Successful completion of Foreign Language Proficiency assessment within 1 week of hire and maintain required certification credentials for duration of employment in the interpreter position; VDH Low-Income Safety Seat Distribution Program Certification (required annually after hire).

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

Additional Work Schedule Requirements: Flexible dependent on department needs. May occasionally start as early as 7:00 a.m. or work as late as 9:30 p.m. based on service demands and occasionally on weekends. May be assigned to work at various sites. Must provide own transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with exceptional verbal and written communication skills (must pass language proficiency assessment).
• Knowledge and experience working in a fast-paced clinical setting.
• Two or more years of experience working in a high-volume health clinic.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Experience working with children and adults.
• Experience working as a medical interpreter in a clinical setting.
• Experience using a team approach for service delivery.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and positive community relationships; work well with multi-disciplinary team members and community partners.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment.
• Must have a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information and professionalism in dealing with customers and colleagues.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience with the ability to interact in a friendly, service-oriented and professional manner.
• Experience and ability to organize information and records.

Physical Requirements:

Job is generally sedentary in nature, and requires walking, standing, sitting (for long periods of time), and kneeling, reaching, bending, climbing stairs; may be required to lift or carry up to 25 lbs. as required for the position. Uses hands to grasp, handle, or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data from paper and on a computer monitor or other electronic device; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer and use of touchscreen. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Generally, works in an office environment and may occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the typical office setting. Ability to drive a motor vehicle. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Selection Procedure:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail] EEO/AA/TTY.