General Statement of Duties

A. Primary Purpose of Position:
To assist clinic staff, nurses and doctor with translating/interpreting health histories, present medical problems, personal data, and translating instructions and health education to the clients. To translate/interpret for staff who provide wrap-around services on home visits.
To translate/interpret for patients who are referred by the Department to other care providers.
To assure that quality health services are provided to non-English speaking clients. The interpreter is the conduit for all communications between the provider and the client.
B. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional extended hours or weekends

Essential Duties and Tasks

59% - Interpreter
Assists clinic staff nurses, doctors, and clerical staff with interpreting/translating health histories, present medical problems, personal data, and interpreting/translating instructions and health education to the non- English speaking clients.
Accompanies staff providing wrap-around services on home visits to interpret/translate for staff and client.
Documents and maintains proper records and reports of client encounters.
Schedules appointments for clients with other providers and return visits to the Department.
Works with the clerical staff in registering clients for various services.
Serves as a liaison between health professionals and clients.
Provides outreach to clients’ homes to deliver instructions, medications, joint home visits with Provider, etc. and translates as needed per instructions of medical staff.
Interprets/translates per phone to other medical providers regarding referred clinic clients.
Interprets/translates for clients who are referred by the Department.
Interprets/translates English written materials into Spanish and Spanish written information into English.
40% - Clinical Assistant
Checks temperature, pulse, blood pressure, weight, head circumference, respirations, vision and hearing screening as indicated.
Bags condoms and vaginal contraception film for distribution.
Assists with bringing in and stocking clinic area with needed supplies.
Assists with washing speculums and autoclaving equipment.
Assists with keeping literature (both English and Spanish) stocked.
Assists with printing of literature.
Attends State sponsored clinical assistant training or on-the-job training and validation by competent staff.
Cleans autoclave at regular intervals per directions.
1% - Other Duties
Maintains required personnel records (i.e.: time, travel sheets).
Attends staff training, other continued education programs, and job-related workshops.
Participates in staff meetings.
Performs other duties as needed.
OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Accuracy Required in Work: 100% accuracy in interpreting/translating clients’ needs and
medical complaints to medical staff, and when obtaining patient measurements/vital signs. Medical decisions will be made according to information that is received from interpreter/translator and client.
2. Consequence of Error: Treatment and medical errors will be made if correct information is not collected from client, which could result in injury to patient and malpractice.
3. Instructions Provided to Employee: Instructions are received orally, by written memos, and
written policy and on the job daily activities.
4. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee:
? Verbal instructions
? Nash County Health Department Policies
? PHN supervisor and medical staff
? Clinical Health Assistant Training offered by the State Office of Public Health
5. Supervision Received by Employee:
Provided by PHN supervisor.
6. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts: Will be the “voice” for the non-English, Spanish
speaking client. Personal contacts in working with diverse cultural population will need empathy with sensitivity to cross-cultural population. Contact with clients daily in clinic and home/camp environment.
7. Physical Effort: Ability to read and write English and Spanish languages. Ability to drive safely and have current North Carolina Driver’s License. Ability to lift and carry children for weighing and supplies if needed. To perform required physical tasks of job.
8. Work Environment and Conditions: Clinic environment, visits to the home, camp, day care, and other providers if appropriate for interpreting/translating information to clients. Assisting clinic staff in medical/nursing assessments and in outreach attempts. Working with indigent families, conditions on camps/homes may be unsanitary or unsafe. Exposure to communicable diseases, loud noise levels with children crying and odors.
9. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used:
Automobile, telephone and fax, copy machine, computer, scales (infant and adult), thermometers, autoclave, stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.
10. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration and Manipulative Skills:
Ability to follow written and verbal directions. To record basic data. Report observations to
personal care.
11. Safety for Others: Written policy guidelines. Communicable Disease Precautions.
Employee Health Policy.
12. Dynamics of Work: Must be flexible work schedule to serve client’s needs. Working with diverse cultural populations. It is occasionally necessary for employees to perform tasks that are not specifically indicated in their job descriptions.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

Ability to read, write and command English and Spanish languages. Ability to correctly take vital signs.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing schedules and practices. Empathy with sensitivity to cross-cultural populations. To follow written and verbal directions, to record basic data and report observations.

Desirable Education and Experience

Required Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED and one year of experience in a health care or human service setting. Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English and Spanish languages.
Additional Training/Experience/Agency Requirements:
Successful completion of State offered “Clinical Health Assistant Training”.
Training for Interpreter in Health and Human Service Setting (AHEC).
Must have valid NC Driver’s License