Program Specialist (Translations & Interpreter Services) (Bilingual Chinese Required)

Department(s): Cultural and Linguistic Services
Reports to: Manager, Cultural & Linguistic Services
FLSA status: Non-Exempt
Salary Grade: E - $48,000 - $68,200

About CalOptima Health
CalOptima Health is the single largest health plan in Orange County, serving 880,000 members, or one in four residents. Our motto - "Better. Together." - is at the heart of our mission to serve members with excellence, dignity and respect. We are a public agency made up of compassionate leaders and professionals working together to strengthen our community's health. If you're looking for an opportunity to work for an organization dedicated to improving local health care and serving the needs of the most vulnerable, we encourage you to join CalOptima Health.
About the Position
Under general supervision, the Program Specialist will be responsible for supporting CalOptima Health's compliance with cultural and linguistic (C&L) state and federal regulatory requirements. The incumbent will assist in the development and/or implementation of cultural and linguistic services/activities, such as providing and coordinating professional translation and review services in one of CalOptima Health's threshold languages, coordinating interpreter services of non-English languages and American Sign Language. The incumbent will plan and organize cultural competency training, research and analyze issues and make recommendations to enhance CalOptima Health's C&L program and services.


Duties & Responsibilities:

• Represents the department and facilitates communications on C&L services within or outside CalOptima Health.
• Assists in completing and/or responding to regulatory agency reports (Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), etc.), surveys, audits and evaluations regarding CalOptima Health's C&L program.
• Participates in a mission-driven culture of high-quality performance, with a member focus on customer service, consistency, dignity and accountability.
• Reviews, analyzes and interprets regulations and internal/external policies and procedures related to cultural and linguistic services.
• Assists the team in carrying out department responsibilities and collaborates with others to support short- and long-term goals/priorities for the department.
• Compiles data and prepares reports to monitor trends and identify issues.
• Plans, organizes and develops cultural competency trainings for CalOptima Health's staff, providers, contracted health networks and community-based organizations.
• Processes vendor invoices for translation and interpreter services in a timely manner.
• Identifies cultural and/or linguistic barriers to members accessing health care services and health disparities where appropriate.
• Reviews, researches, resolves and trends member complaints and/or grievances related to cultural and language issues.
• Provides and coordinates professional and timely translations and/or reviews of CalOptima Health member materials.
• Completes other projects and duties as assigned.
• Ensures the timely delivery of interpreter services by working with qualified staff interpreters and contracted interpreter service vendors.

Experience & Education:

• 2 years of experience with a health plan, program or clinical environment working with culturally diverse populations required.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position such as those listed above is also qualifying.
• Bilingual in English and in one of CalOptima Health's defined threshold languages (Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese) required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional education in the area of translation, interpretation and cultural competency training.
• Experience in managed care and/or government programs.
• Bachelor's degree in a health care related field or cultural and linguistic studies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of the job, employee is occasionally required to move about the organization. Employee must be able to sit for extended periods of time, as well as work at the computer for long periods. Employee is required to use hands and fingers, especially for typing on the computer and using the mouse. Must be able bilingually communicate, particularly for regular phone use, in meetings and face-to-face interactions.

• Work Environment: Typical office environment with moderate noise levels due to call center and controlled office temperatures.

About our Benefits & Wellness options:
At CalOptima Health, we know that a healthy and happy workforce is a thriving workforce, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including participation in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), low-cost medical/vision/dental insurance options, and paid time off. To support quality work-life balance, we allow flexible scheduling during core business hours, telework options for some positions, work schedules that allow every other Friday off (9/80 schedule), and a wellness program featuring diverse activities. Additionally, CalOptima Health contributes 4% of pensionable earnings to a 401(a) retirement program with no required employee contribution. Employees also have access to 457(b) retirement plans with pre/post-tax contribution options.
CalOptima Health is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit. CalOptima Health wants to have qualified employees in every job position. CalOptima Health prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee, or applicant for employment, based on race, religion/religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transitioning status, age, sexual orientation, immigration status, military status as a disabled veteran, or veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. CalOptima Health also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived as having, any of those characteristics.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability.
Job Location: Orange, California
Position Type:
To apply, visit https://jobs.silkroad.com/CalOptima/Careers/jobs/4271
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