Translator 1-3 (Spanish)

SALARY IS COMMENSURATE WITH EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

SUMMARY:

This position is located in Clinical Services Division with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD). The translator is primarily responsible for providing oral and written translations between English/Spanish languages to facilitate communication between staff and Spanish speaking clients who do not use English as their primary language. The employee is required to maintain confidentiality regarding all information received in the performance of the job. These various job duties and responsibilities may be performed for the main and satellite clinics.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a summary of the duties and responsibilities commonly found within this classification. All employees must maintain a commitment to the OCCHD's mission, vision, and strategic goals. This summary is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related activities or tasks may be assigned.

This position functions at the entry level (Tier 1) as defined by the Council on Linkages Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals with a primary focus on the following domains:

• Communication Skills
• Community Partnership Skills

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Translating instructions, responses, comments, etc., between Spanish speaking clients and staff.
• Operating a personal computer to prepare written translations of instructions, forms, and other materials from physicians and nurses into Spanish for clients.
• Telephoning Spanish speaking clients to confirm appointments, obtain additional information, etc.
• Accompanying nurses on home visits.
• Assist with clerical duties, including but not limited to client check-in, data entry, medical records scanning, when not performing translation duties.
• Driving to off-site locations as needed to conduct translation activities.
• In addition, at the direction of OCCHD Chief Executive Officer or designee, the employee will be assigned a variety of specific job duties and responsibilities as a member of the OCCHD Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Team (i.e. Bioterrorism Response Program).As a member of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Team, the employee is required to complete all necessary emergency responder training and may be designated as a member of the first-responder team.
• Completes required training in support of duties and responsibilities of this position.
• In accordance with our designation of a PHAB Accredited health department and explicit commitment to a culture of continuous quality improvement, employees will receive Quality Improvement (QI) training deemed necessary by their supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Valid Oklahoma driver license required
• Must pass a proficiency exam in listed language both oral and written if selected for position
• Level 1: Proficient in listed language both oral and written
• Level 2: One year of experience performing translations in English/Spanish
• Level 3: Two years of experience performing translations in English/Spanish

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Skill in communicating verbally and in writing in English/Spanish
• Skill in communicating using tact and diplomacy
• Skill in obtaining and recording information accurately
• Ability and willingness to operate a personal computer
• Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality
• Ability and willingness to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability and willingness to follow safe working procedures and practices
• Ability and willingness to follow established policies and procedures

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Primarily indoors in climate-controlled building
• No smoking or use of non-smoking tobacco products is allowed at any time while conducting OCCHD business or in OCCHD vehicles or property
• No use of cell phones or the use of electronic wireless communications devices used to write, send or read a text-based communication while driving a motor vehicle on OCCHD business
• Local travel to off-site clinics, clients' homes, etc., in varying weather
• May be exposed to clients who are ill
• May be subject to sitting and/or standing for prolonged periods of time
• May be exposed to prolonged glare from a computer monitor
• May be required to wear a HEPA filter mask if working in the communicable disease clinic; in which case, limited facial hair is allowed
• OSHA category: performs tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Arm/hand steadiness and digital dexterity enough to draft documents such as instructions, reports, etc. by hand or using a personal computer
• Arm/hand steadiness and digital dexterity enough to use equipment such as personal computer, ten-key, typewriter, FAX machine, etc.
• Vision enough to read computer printouts, hand- or machine-generated documents, etc., as well as print on a computer monitor
• Hearing and speech enough to communicate with others both in person and via telephone
• Flexibility and coordination enough to operate a motor vehicle as needed
• Flexibility to bend, stoop, and pull to perform tasks such as filing documents
• Flexibility and strength enough to lift and move equipment and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds
• Ability and willingness to be fitted for and wear a HEPA mask, if required

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position requires frequent contact with various personnel to receive and verify information, as well as with clients/caregivers to provide translation services regarding health-related information and prescribed treatment. Tact and diplomacy are required in the performance of duties. The employee may be required to deal with temperamental persons on occasion.

SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED/ACCOUNTABILITY:

This employee reports to an immediate supervisor with work product subject to both specific and general review. The employee has no supervisory responsibilities and has no direct accountability for budget, money or materials.

CONDITIONAL:

Employees who fall into the following categories are in conditional employment positions: a) Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health Officer; b) Senior Executive Team, Executive Team and Leadership Team employees who serve at the pleasure of the OCCHD Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health Officer; c) certain other OCCHD employees whose salaries, benefits, and/or overhead are based on available funds such as, but not limited to, revenue generating contracts, grants, or fee-for-service revenue. In other words, this means that if the funding or the program is terminated, cancelled, or non-renewed, your employment terminates automatically. This position may be partially or fully funded by a grant.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must have an operating vehicle available for use when field duties are required
• Will be compliant on recommended immunizations required by the CDC as a healthcare worker and as defined within the scope of Emergency Response within 30 days of hire. Exceptions accepted with documented medical or religious accommodation. OCCHD will provide vaccinations at no charge to employees.
• May be required to work outside of regular business hours or assigned shift hours due to job responsibilities

BENEFITS:

• As an employee of the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, you will enjoy comprehensive benefits which consists of:
• 15 days per year of annual leave
• 15 days per year of sick leave
• 15 paid holidays annually
• A comprehensive health insurance package medical, dental, vision, life insurance, dependent life insurance, and flexible medical spending account
• A generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Retirement plans: Defined Contribution Plan and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING:

Interested candidates should apply online at www.occhd.org. Select Careers at the top of the web page, select Current Jobs, select the position you are applying for, and select "apply". You will be directed to our Career Center. Get started by uploading your resume with your profile. Otherwise, click "skip" to continue. The first step is to register with the Career Center, again you will click on apply for an active position. You may search for open positions by name or select "show all positions." You may select "view" to read the details regarding the position. Again, you will click on "apply now". You will be directed to the second step of the application process. Please complete the entire application. Do not substitute a resume for your employment history. You may attach a cover letter, resume, and an official transcript, if applicable. You will save and complete your application. You will be directed to the final step of answering job specific questions, if applicable. Once you have finished the process, you should receive a message stating, "Successfully applied". You will also receive an email stating your application has been received for the position you selected. If you do not receive this message, then there has been a step not completed. You will need to review your record. The position will be open for 30 days or until filled. Please be advised that applications will periodically be considered, as such this position could be filled any time before the closing date.

Successful candidate subject to a proficiency test, background check, reference verification, and drug screening.

AA/EOE