The selected candidate will primarily be part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Refugee Health Screening Clinic at our Downtown Public Health Center in Seattle and will focus on facilitating culturally and linguistically appropriate communication between Refugee Health Screening team members (Nurse, Medial Assistant, Administration Specialist) and Dari and Pashto speaking clients. This clinic serves newly arrived refugees, humanitarian parolees and asylees and provides a basic health screening, vaccinations and linkage to ongoing primary care. The position will be based at Downtown Public Health in Seattle. There may be opportunities to work in other Public Health Centers in South King County such as Federal Way, Auburn, and Kent.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: 
 As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
  
 We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
  
  To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity

Interpreting scenarios may include:

• Interpreting communication between Public Health staff and clients in order to provide Public Health services, including such programs as Refugee Screening, WIC, MSS/First Steps, Family Support Services (including families who are pregnant or with newborn infants & young children),  Family Planning, Family Health, Dental, Communicable Disease & Prevention, Community Access & Outreach, Child Care Program. 
• Interpret for health care providers in reproductive health clinic to elicit sexual histories from male and female clients, including teens, explain birth control methods and present pregnancy options.
• Interpret in culturally sensitive situations regarding issues such as child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS.
• Interpret for Public Health staff & clients to fill out a variety of forms for program eligibility, consent, registration, medical history & to explain billing practices & fee collection.
• Interpret information for clients under the direction of Public Health staff related to clinical procedures, health & nutrition education, medical treatments or environmental health regulations.  
• Provide general information and referrals to Public Health Services & related community social and health services.  
• Assist in facilitating efficient delivery of Public Health services within productivity guidelines as part of the team.
• Make reminder calls to clients
• Assist with coordination of Hopelink transportation
• Explain to Public Health staff relevant cultural beliefs and behaviors presented by non English speaking clients & their communities which may affect health outcomes or create cross cultural conflict.
• Promote & maintain positive interpersonal communication with coworkers, other agencies & the public.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must possess the DSHS Medical Interpreter Certification or Screening Certificate, or be working through the process to get certified..
• Skill in accurate and appropriate interpretation.
• Must be bilingual in writing and speaking English and the target languages
• Must be willing and able to interpret regarding reproductive health care. 
• Must be willing and able to interpret in culturally sensitive situations including child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, birth control for minors, pregnancy options counseling, and HIV/AIDS.
• Knowledge of the cultural beliefs and values of the relevant populations.
• Knowledge of National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) Code of Ethics.
• Basic knowledge of community resources and service agencies and/or skill in identifying appropriate community resources for clients as needed.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and diseases.
• Basic knowledge of human anatomy.
• Knowledge of refugee and immigrant social and health issues.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be self-directed.
• Skilled in using basic office equipment including a multi-line phone and computers.
• Possess basic computer skills in Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.  Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• The most qualified applicants will have taken “Bridging the Gap” or another formal Interpreter Training Program and will have experience in a health care setting.
• Applicants with previous experience as a medical interpreter preferred 

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

(New) Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement 
As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th.   People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.  Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs.  Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.  

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply
This position is open to all qualified candidates. We are currently recruiting for a Short Term Temporary position.
 
Application Process: 
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
• Responses to supplemental questions.

• The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.

• The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.

• The position is ON CALL, TEMPORARY and may be asked to work any day Monday to Saturday from 8am - 5 pm 

Downtown Public Health Center located at 2124 4th Avenue, Seattle WA 98121 . May work at other Public Health locations.