Foreign Language Interpreter II

About the Department

Position Duties

• Serves as interpreter for all clinical programs, Environmental Health, and WIC Communicates daily with a wide array of persons within the health department. Maintains good communication skills and professionalism with all individuals he/she comes in contact with. Obtains information regarding services requested to verify that our agency is able to meet the health care needs of the patient. Obtains basic information to be entered into the automatic appointment system to create an appointment for the patient. Understands (in both languages) any specialized medical terminology used by the health care provider. Ensures the accurate and complete exchange of information between the clinical provider and the client. Interprets a variety of information such as medical, educational, financial, and legal. Answers telephone calls from Spanish-speaking patients and responds by answering questions, making appointments, clarifying policies and procedures, seeking appropriate information from professional staff, and providing the information in Spanish to the caller. Comprehends agency, state, and federal guidelines for agency policies and programs. Complies and attests to HIPAA regulations. Participates in Public Health Preparedness activities as directed by agency management; this employee will be expected to work as needed during public health emergencies, which may result in extended hours and long work shifts. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor, Health Director, or Deputy Health Director.
• Serves as interpreter for all clinical programs, Environmental Health, and WIC
• Communicates daily with a wide array of persons within the health department.
• Maintains good communication skills and professionalism with all individuals he/she comes in contact with.
• Obtains information regarding services requested to verify that our agency is able to meet the health care needs of the patient.
• Obtains basic information to be entered into the automatic appointment system to create an appointment for the patient.
• Understands (in both languages) any specialized medical terminology used by the health care provider.
• Ensures the accurate and complete exchange of information between the clinical provider and the client.
• Interprets a variety of information such as medical, educational, financial, and legal.
• Answers telephone calls from Spanish-speaking patients and responds by answering questions, making appointments, clarifying policies and procedures, seeking appropriate information from professional staff, and providing the information in Spanish to the caller.
• Comprehends agency, state, and federal guidelines for agency policies and programs.
• Complies and attests to HIPAA regulations.
• Participates in Public Health Preparedness activities as directed by agency management; this employee will be expected to work as needed during public health emergencies, which may result in extended hours and long work shifts.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor, Health Director, or Deputy Health Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED and two (2) years of experience in interpreting and translating English and the required foreign language in a setting that requires a knowledge of the programs or services. Demonstrates fluency and skill necessary to meet the needs of the organization and client populations served; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Training/certification in Spanish interpretation preferred.

Other Qualifications

• Significant knowledge of the ethics of interpreting. Ability to interpret/translate all verbal information and written materials in English and the foreign language. Ability to assess communication skill level of client and exercise judgment in determining services to be rendered. Ability to understand and interpret information in the various dialects of that language. Significant knowledge of the program area, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. assigned. General knowledge of office or work unit procedures, methods, and practices. General knowledge of and ability to use correct spelling, punctuation, and specialized vocabulary; ability to proofread. General knowledge of office accounting and record keeping procedures, mathematics and their application in the work environment. Ability to learn and apply a variety of guidelines applicable to the work process. Ability to use a variety of office equipment. Ability to work with people with courtesy and tact in performing public contact duties. Ability to record and compile information based on general guidelines. Ability to balance and reconcile figures. Ability to screen communications based on predetermined guidelines. Ability to gather and give information and instructions regarding the work process and procedures. Ability to learn to use specialized office equipment. Extensive knowledge of the organization and program of services available in the health department and community Knowledge of social and economic factors in the community. Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to present programs clearly and concisely in oral and written form. Ability to deal tactfully with the public and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions. Proficient in Spanish/English interpretation and translation. Statement of Equal Employment Opportunity Jackson County recognizes its continued success in meeting the needs of its citizens requires the full and active participation of talented and committed individuals, regardless of their gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or political affiliation. It is the policy of the County to foster, maintain, and promote equal opportunity by use of a systematic, consistent recruitment program, and to identify and attract the most qualified applicants for employment with the County. This policy is to be achieved by announcing all position vacancies, by evaluating all applicants using the same criteria, and by applying testing methods through the NC Career Works Office. Selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
• Significant knowledge of the ethics of interpreting.
• Ability to interpret/translate all verbal information and written materials in English and the foreign language.
• Ability to assess communication skill level of client and exercise judgment in determining services to be rendered.
• Ability to understand and interpret information in the various dialects of that language.
• Significant knowledge of the program area, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. assigned.
• General knowledge of office or work unit procedures, methods, and practices.
• General knowledge of and ability to use correct spelling, punctuation, and specialized vocabulary; ability to proofread.
• General knowledge of office accounting and record keeping procedures, mathematics and their application in the work environment.
• Ability to learn and apply a variety of guidelines applicable to the work process.
• Ability to use a variety of office equipment.
• Ability to work with people with courtesy and tact in performing public contact duties.
• Ability to record and compile information based on general guidelines.
• Ability to balance and reconcile figures.
• Ability to screen communications based on predetermined guidelines.
• Ability to gather and give information and instructions regarding the work process and procedures.
• Ability to learn to use specialized office equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of the organization and program of services available in the health department and community
• Knowledge of social and economic factors in the community.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to present programs clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Proficient in Spanish/English interpretation and translation.

Statement of Equal Employment Opportunity

Benefits

• Jackson County provides a robust offering of employee benefits including: employer paid medical and dental benefits, participation in the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, paid leave (vacation, sick, and holiday), Employee Clinic, Wellness program, and supplemental benefit offerings. A full overview of benefits is available at https://www.jacksonnc.org/DocumentCenter/View/1955/BenefitsSummary-2026