Interpreter

Purpose of Position

Under the supervision of the Health Department Program Supervisor, provides bilingual interpretation (oral and written) services necessary to implement the department’s program. This includes greeting public walk-ins, assisting with check-ins, answering phones and scheduling Spanish speaking clients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Analytical/Assessment Skills

Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

• Awareness and understanding of departmental and county wide policies
• Good understanding of the purpose of all programs within the department and how they function.
Attend in-service education as assigned.

Communication Skills

• Communication with clients, families, and the supervising Public Health staff.
• Provide interpretation services during scheduled MCH home visits, dental appointments, vaccine appointments and WIC appointments.
• Translate verbal and written information consecutively, in the respective language, without adding or omitting information.
• A broad knowledge of the dialects and cultures in which they speak.
• The ability to understand readily and completely what others say in either language.
• A good memory for or mechanism to record what is said. Working knowledge of time management.
• The ability to find equivalent means of expression in each language even when there are no equivalent words.
• Knowledge of specialized vocabulary and concepts in the area of medicine and nutrition.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with all confidentiality policies.
• Ability to follow oral and written communication.
• May also interpret for outside departments and programs within the county such as Child Support, Clerks office, etc. (billing of services outside health department programs will occur, see billing policy for details).
Provides a space for the participant to communicate openly.

Cultural Competency Skills

• Assess clientele and or communities; understanding the appropriate needs of all ages in a diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations lifestyles and physical abilities.

• Employ strategies to assure culturally-sensitive public health and health service delivery systems.

• Maintain patient confidentiality and HIPPA law.
  

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

• Make client contacts via phone, text or email.
• Contact participants for appointment reminders, rescheduling and follow-up appointments. Schedules participants appointments using electronic software.
There is significant interaction with the general public, with many interruptions, including public walking in asking for an interpreter.

Public Health Science Skills

• Assist with public health clinics (e.g., immunizations), including scheduling, outreach and interpretation
• Working knowledge of all program areas.
Data entry; including immunization reporting and importing/exporting data into databases including the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR.)

Financial Planning and Management Skills

• Ability to track daily hours electronically and report to Supervisor in a time appropriate manner.
Ability to track how time is spent and in what program areas on a daily basis.

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

Direct Service Skills

• Greets and assists public walk-ins; provides general information on public health programs and services.

• Efficient with computers and software. General understanding of Microsoft Programs including but not limited to Teams, Word, and Excel.

• Ability to work well in both a team orientated and self-directed environment.

• Maintains appointment schedules and related paperwork

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationship with department staff, representatives of state and local government agencies, and general public.

• Demonstrate a positive attitude, time management skills and respect on a daily basis

• Other clerical or administrative duties may be required and assigned

Other duties and trainings assigned to all staff including Emergency preparedness activities.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Demonstration of competence through standard testing with the Language Line Academy before hire. Highly encouraged to earn a competent score (80% - 94%) or higher.