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Job Description
Summary
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community-based settings.
The mission of the Language Access program at Deschutes County Health Services is to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and diverse linguistic needs. Through professional interpretation and translation services, the department strives to remove language barriers, promote effective communication, and enhance the overall health and well-being of all community members.
Hear from staff about our workplace here.
ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.
Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.
We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.
ABOUT THE JOB:
Deschutes County Health Services is seeking a passionate and skilled Language Access Coordinator to join our dynamic team. This is a part-time position requiring strong bilingual skills in English and Spanish, with a primary focus on translation and interpretation services. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with the Language Access Program Analyst to support the department's mission of providing accessible, equitable health services to our diverse community.
Duties include providing interpreter services by rendering messages from Spanish to English in person, by telephone, video remote interpreting technology, or other remote technology to non-English and Limited-English Proficiency (LEP) patients and family members, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals during all aspects of the healthcare encounter and in various healthcare settings; translating a variety of patient-related materials, including text that pertains to the medical encounter, such as discharge procedures, pharmaceutical instructions, consent forms, and other patient-related documents as necessary; providing appropriate feedback regarding the content to be interpreted/translated to prevent culturally offensive, insensitive, or otherwise harmful to the dignity and well-being of the patient and assesses patients' understanding of information conveyed; attending in-service and mandatory trainings that include the improvement of healthcare interpreting, communication skills, provision of culturally competent healthcare, patient safety, use of video remote interpreting and telephonic technology, and complying with agency policies and procedures; and assisting with training agency staff on use of interpreter-related equipment and other methods of language access services.
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide interpretation and translation services for various Health Services programs in person, over the phone, in writing, or virtually.
• Perform administrative tasks to support the Language Access program, including documentation, scheduling, and coordinating services.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure services are culturally and linguistically appropriate for the community.
• Participate in department meetings and training courses as needed.
What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:
• Fluency in English and Spanish, with proven experience in professional interpretation and translation.
• Ability to translate complex health-related documents accurately and appropriately.
• Familiarity with health-related terminology and cultural competence in working with diverse populations.
Skill in:
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, with opportunities for work-life balance.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.
Notification to all candidates will be sent via email only . Please check your email for recruitment information, and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status. Additional information regarding the position may be found by clicking here.
Compensation
$2,527.73 to $3,387.39 per month for a 86.34-hour work month. Salary normally starts at the first step. Excellent County pro-rated benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.
BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.
Minimum Qualifications- Associate's degree in a related field;
- AND one year of experience in interpreting and translating one or more foreign languages within a healthcare setting;
- OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the job.
- Previous experience working in a healthcare and/or public service setting.
- Qualified Medical Interpreter and registered with the State of Oregon.
Necessary Special Requirements
Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
Must possess or have the ability to obtain Certified Healthcare or Medical Interpreter (CHI/CMI) English-Spanish certification within two years of hire.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes Countyoffers eligible employeesa comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following1month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, DeschutesCounty provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.
Employer paid benefit offerings include:- Life Insurance for employee and dependents
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
- Time Management Leave
- 125 Flexible Spending Program
- 457 Deferred Compensation Program
- Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance
Closing Date/Time: 2/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Deschutes County
Show moreDeschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. The County has 1,200 employees and a $587 million annual budget. The County assesses property, records public documents, conducts elections, collects taxes, and provides a variety of key community services, including public safety, public and behavioral health, building inspection, planning and zoning, road maintenance and construction, solid waste and the operation of a large Fair & Expo Center. Indirect services that support county operations include finance, human resources, property and facilities management, internal auditing, information technology, legal counsel, and public information.
For the past decade, Central Oregon has been recognized as one of the best places to live. Deschutes County is conveniently located within a three-hour drive to Portland, Oregon, and within one hour of the Cascade Mountain Range. With an average elevation of 3,600 feet, the area enjoys a dry, high desert climate with cool nights and sunny days. Annual precipitation averages 11.7 inches.
The countywide population is over 200,000, spread over 3,054 square miles. Deschutes County is the fastest growing county on the West Coast and one of the most diverse economies in Oregon. Tourism brings to Central Oregon over four million overnight visitors annually. The Mount Bachelor ski resort attracts tourists from across the nation. The nearby Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists.
Other local features include a vibrant visual and performing arts community, an outstanding restaurant scene, an extensive and respected health care network, and a high quality educational system.
The cities of Bend, (the county seat), Redmond, La Pine, and Sisters are the four municipalities in Deschutes County. Roberts Field Redmond Municipal Airport connects Deschutes County to other major western U.S. cities. In addition to excellent public and private K-12 schools, Bend is home to Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and Oregon State University’s Cascade Campus.
To hear from staff about working at Deschutes County Behavioral Health, please click HERE.
Make the work you do matter. We hope you’ll consider joining our team.
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