Spanish-Speaking Medical Interpreter/Translator

Summary

Eastgate Public Health Center is seeking a Spanish-Speaking Medical Interpreter/Translator to be part of a multi-disciplinary team and focus on facilitating culturally and linguistically appropriate communication between Public Health staff and non-English/limited English-speaking clients primarily in clinic, but also in home and community health settings. This position would be required to provide interpretation in-person as well as via telephone and video. The base for this position will be at the Eastgate Public Health Center in Bellevue, but the selected may have to travel to multiple sites depending on need and scheduling.

This Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) is anticipated to last two (2) years. However, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on funding and program need. In order to be eligible for a Special Duty Assignment, you must be a current King County Career Service employee who has passed their probationary period and has their supervisor’s approval to take an SDA.

Commitment to Equity and Social Justice: Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Job Duties

• Promote & maintain positive interpersonal communication with coworkers, other agencies & the public.
• Interpret for Public Health staff & clients to fill out a variety of forms for program eligibility, consent, registration, medical history & to explain billing practices & fee collection.
• Provide general information and referrals to Public Health Services & related community social and health services.
• Interpret information for clients under the direction of Public Health staff related to clinical procedures, health & nutrition education, medical treatments or environmental health regulations.
• Checking and retrieving phone messages and taking appropriate follow-up action, using computer systems to look up clinic schedules, client appointments, make reminder calls & make appointments as needed.
• Interpret in culturally sensitive situations regarding issues such as child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS.
• Explain to Public Health staff relevant cultural beliefs and behaviors presented by non-English speaking clients & their communities which may affect health outcomes or create cross cultural conflict.
• Interpret for health care providers in reproductive health clinic to elicit sexual histories from male and female clients, including teens, explain birth control methods and present pregnancy options.
• Interpret communication between Public Health staff and clients in order to provide Public Health services, including: such programs as WIC, Birth control/STD clinic, Family Support Services (including families who are pregnant or with newborn infants & young children) Family Health, Dental, Community Access & Outreach, and Pharmacy.
• Assist in facilitating efficient delivery of Public Health services within productivity guidelines as part of the treatment team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Knowledge of the cultural beliefs and values of the relevant populations.
• Skill in accurate and appropriate interpretation.
• Must be willing and able to interpret in culturally sensitive situations including child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, birth control for minors, pregnancy options counseling, and HIV/AIDS.
• Possess basic computer skills in Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to be self-directed.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in Electronic Health Records (EHRs)/Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and the ability to work autonomously in such systems
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and diseases.
• Must be bilingual in writing and speaking, in English and the target language (Spanish)
• Skilled in using basic office equipment including a multi-line phone and computers.
• Must possess the DSHS Medical Interpreter Certification or Screening Certificate.
• Knowledge of refugee and immigrant social and health issues.
• Basic knowledge of community resources and service agencies and/or skill in identifying appropriate community resources for clients as needed.
• Knowledge of National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) Code of Ethics.
• Basic knowledge of human anatomy.
• Must be willing and able to interpret regarding reproductive health care.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• The most qualified applicants will have taken “Bridging the Gap” or another formal Interpreter Training Program and will have at least 2 years of experience in a health care setting.
• Applicants with previous experience in telephonic interpretation preferred
• Applicants with previous experience as a medical interpreter preferred.

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
If you are the successful candidate for the position(s), as a condition of your employment, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to work in the medical clinic(s) outlined in this job posting prior to your start date. To ensure this condition is met, prior to your start date, the county will send you a conditional offer letter requesting you to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified internal and external candidates. To be considered as a Special Duty applicant, you must be a current Career Service, King County employee who has successfully passed probation and must get your supervisor's approval if this assignment is offered to you.

Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
• Responses to Supplemental Questions. Please do not copy and paste your resume or resume sections as responses to Supplemental Questions. Doing so will result in an incomplete application, unless the submitted information completely and directly answers the questions posed.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed NeoGov application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

• Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location and working hours.
• The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.

• The selected candidate must comply with the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care Code of Ethics.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to travel to and from work locations with limited or no public transportation services in a timely manner. A valid WA State Driver License is required to operate a County vehicle.

• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.

• The selected candidate will be expected to sit for extended periods of time during telephonic interpretation sessions.

Work location: this position works fully onsite at the Eastgate Public Health Center, located at 14350 SE Eastgate Way, and may be required to work at other sites to meet business needs.

Work schedule: The normal work schedule for this position is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday- 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Wednesday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm- 40 hours per week, 1.0 FTE. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Union affiliation:
This position is represented by PROTEC-17.

Contact:
For more information about the application process, please contact Catherine Fitzpatrick, Sr. HR Analyst at [email protected].