Medical Interpreter/Translator - Spanish bei King County, WA

About the Department

Position Summary

Background

Position Duties

• Providing Spanish language medical interpretations for the entire Eastgate Public Health Center. 
• Client visits focus on primary care, dental care, postpartum health, breastfeeding consult and education, birth control and pregnancy options counseling, injury prevention, and nutrition and linking families to critical resources. Interpret communication between PHSKC Staff and clients in order to provide medical and dental services, including: programs such as WIC, Birth control/STD clinic, Family Health, Dental, Community Access and Outreach, and Pharmacy. 
• Interpret for health care providers in the reproductive health clinic to elicit sexual histories from male and female clients, including teens; explain birth control methods and present pregnancy options. 
• Interpret in culturally sensitive situations regarding issues such as child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS. 
• Interpret so PHSKC Staff and clients can fill out a variety of forms for program eligibility, consent, registration, medical history and to explain billing practices and fee collection. 
• Interpret information for clients under the direction of PHSKC Staff related to clinical procedures, referrals to specialty care, health and nutrition education, medical treatments or environmental health regulations. 
• Provide general information and referrals to Public Health Services and related community, social, and health services. 
• Assist in facilitating efficient delivery of Public Health services within productivity guidelines as part of the treatment team. 
• Checking and retrieving phone messages, taking appropriate follow-up action, using computer systems to look up clinic schedules, assisting clients with making appointments, and assisting with reminder and referral follow-up calls. 
• Explain to PHSKC Staff relevant cultural beliefs and behaviors presented by non-English speaking clients and their communities which may affect health outcomes or create cross cultural conflict. 
• Promote and maintain positive interpersonal communication with coworkers, other agencies and the public.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum Qualifications):

• Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Medical Interpreter Certification or a Screening Certificate or be able to obtain one within 90 days of hire. 
• Skill in accurate and appropriate interpretation. 
• Fluent in English and Spanish. (skills will be tested) 
• 1-2 years of experience as a medical interpreter. 
• Must be willing and able to interpret regarding reproductive and gender affirming health care. 
• Must be willing and able to interpret in culturally sensitive situations including child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, birth control for minors, pregnancy options and counseling, and HIV/AIDS. 
• Knowledge of the cultural beliefs and values of the relevant populations. 
• Knowledge of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) code of ethics. 
• Basic knowledge of community resources and service agencies and/or skill in identifying appropriate community resources or service agencies for clients as needed. 
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and diseases. 
• Basic knowledge of human anatomy. 
• Knowledge of refugee and immigrant health and social issues. 
• Effective customer service skills.
  

• Taken “Bridging the Gap” or another formal Interpreter Training Program.

Other Qualifications

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

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, life experience, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

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

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume

(Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above).
 
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in your application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
 
Contact
If you have questions or would like more information about the application process, please contact Falisha Forgash, HR Analyst at [email protected].
 
Union Membership 
Positions in this classification are represented by Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC17).
 
Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR. (if applicable)
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation and Pre-employment Physical, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment. (if applicable)
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en. 
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health – Seattle & King County relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health – Seattle & King County positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. 
• If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.

Forbes recently 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.

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.