Interpreter (Burmese/Zomi)

Primarily responsible for interpreting health information from Burmese/Zomi to English and English to Burmese/Zomi for clients receiving Preventive Health Services at the Tulsa Health Department. May be asked to assist other clinical areas with translation/interpretation services, as needed.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):

1. Assist staff via interpretation from English to Burmese/Zomi and Burmese/Zomi to English in order to facilitate client services.
2. Secures client health history by interpreting history form for client.
3. Interprets questions and explanations during physical assessment, routine visits, lab visits, and social worker intake.
4. Interprets diagnosis and plans of care to clients and teaching or counseling provided in clinic.
5. Interprets and facilitates referrals to community resources.
6. Translates materials from Burmese/Zomi to English.
7. Assists clinician in rooming clients for health assessments.
8. Performs data entry in PHOCIS software.
9. Assists in all clinic program as needed to improve patient flow by scheduling appointments for clients.
10. Communicates with clients through phone calls with appointment reminder information and instructions.
11. Acts as interpreter liaison for the Tulsa Health Department in conjunction with contract physicians.
12. Coordinate patient contact and referrals with Preventive Health Services staff.
13. Provides Soonercare Medicaid enrollment assistance for eligible clients.
14. Assists with clerical duties as needed: answering phones, scheduling appointments, pulling and filing charts, making copies, and sending faxes.
15. Completes required training in support of duties and responsibilities of this position.
16. Other duties as assigned including those required to fulfill activities in support of public health emergency operations.

Education:

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

Experience:

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

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to speak, read, and write Burmese 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 gaining new tasks to provide self-enhancement.
• Bilingual (Burmese/Zomi-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:
Must be able to sit for extended periods of time. Ability to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication. Ability to stand and physically direct individuals to specific areas. Frequent communication; Must be able to exchange accurate information over the phone, email, 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 ability and willingness to perform job-related travel.
• Must maintain THD record confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Salary : $36,240