Interpreter, Spanish

Description POSITION SUMMARY: Primarily responsible for interpreting health information between English and Spanish for clients receiving Family Planning, Adult Health/STD services at the Tulsa Health Department. May be asked to assist other clinical areas with translation/interpretation services as needed.

Examples of Duties

Principal Duties/Responsibilities The following functions represent the majority of the duties performed by the position, but is not meant to be all-inclusive or prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (100% of Time):

• Secures client health history by interpreting the history form for clients.
• Interprets explanations for obtaining screening tests and diagnostic tests.
• Interprets questions and explanations during physical assessment, routine visits, lab visits, and social worker intake.
• Interprets diagnosis and plans of care for clients.
• Interprets teaching or counseling provided in the clinic.
• Interprets and facilitates referrals to community resources.
• Translates materials from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English.
• Completes Medicaid Eligibility forms for clients and prepares them for mailing.
• Assists the clinician in rooming clients for health assessments.
• Performs data entry in PHOCIS software.
• Assists in all clinic programs as needed to improve patient flow by scheduling appointments for clients.
• Communicates with clients through phone calls with appointment reminder information and instructions.
• Act as interpreter liaison for the Tulsa Health Department in conjunction with contract physicians for tubal ligations and vasectomies.
• Coordinate patient contact and referrals with the Family Planning nurse.
• Assists with application and completion of the SoonerCare plan for eligible clients.
• Assists with clerical duties as needed: answering phones, scheduling appointments, pulling and filing charts, making copies, and sending faxes.
• Completes required training in support of duties and responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned, including those required to fulfill activities in support of public health emergency operations.

Qualifications/Specifications Typical Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of English and Spanish languages, written and verbal, required.
• Prefer a bilingual person who is a native speaker of Spanish and has knowledge of medical terminology.
• Certificate in medical interpretation preferred.

Experience

• Two years of experience in translating/interpreting.
• Experience in a medical office preferred.

Knowledge And Skills

• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish and English at various educational levels in a wide range of circumstances.
• Ability to relate to people of all ages, races, socio-economic backgrounds, and cultures.
• Effective oral and written communication skills when working with various community organizations and interacting with diverse groups of internal and external contacts.
• Effective interpersonal skills in working with personnel at all organizational levels.
• Good communication skills with clients in completing forms and records to assure confidentiality in collecting and protecting personal health information (PHI).
• Flexibility in acquiring and learning new tasks.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) required.

Licenses: None

Internal And External Working Relationships

• Frequent internal contact with physicians, nurses, and other department personnel to exchange information regarding patient care, test results, and to discuss medical problems and treatment.
• External contact with patients to gather and provide health information.

Physical Effort

• Physical effort is required to lift and move equipment and supplies (up to 20 lbs.)
• Often sitting or standing for prolonged periods
• Some stooping, bending, and squatting may be required when providing direct-client services
• Repetitive computer and telephone use
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication
• Frequent communication with clients and team members
• Must be able to exchange accurate information over the phone, email, electronic medical records, and other modes of communication

Supervisory Responsibility/Accountability Direct Supervision – None

Indirect Supervision – None

Budget/Money/Material – Responsible for assigned equipment

Reports to – Administrative/Interpreter Supervisor

Working Conditions May be exposed to noisy environments, possible occasional exposure to communicable diseases, and emotional clients. Demanding, fast-paced, high-volume clinic.

Special Requirements

• Must possess the ability and willingness to perform job-related travel
• Must maintain THD record confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and paid time off.

Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

See below for more details or visit our benefit page Benefits | Tulsa Health Department (tulsa-health.org):

• Competitive Salary
• Paid Holidays (typically 13 days per calendar year + 2 floating holidays)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 20 hours per month
• Extended Sick Leave (ESL)
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Group Life Insurance and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness Care Plan including Cancer*
• Accident Plan
• Hospitalization Plan
• Supplemental and Whole Life Plans
• Legal and Identity Theft Protection Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs)
• Retirement Pension Fund with a 5-year vesting period.
• Investment Benefits (e.g., 401A Employer/Employee Matching Fund (max. $150 per month), 457 Deferred Compensation Plan).
• Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP) - employer contributes 1% of the employee’s salary per year and unused employee sick leave is transferred to PEHP account upon retirement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Working 4 Balance - Workplace Wellness Program
• Promotional Opportunities
• Flex Plan
• Tulsa Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union
• THD employment qualifies for nursing education loan repayment through the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program.

01

Are you bilingual Spanish?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question