Public Health Language Worker - Jefferson County Health Department

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

12/19/2025

PAY GRADE:

Grade 18

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Public Health Language Workers interpret verbal communications and translate written communications between healthcare service providers and limited English proficiency patients at healthcare facilities. Employees in this job class must be proficient in both English and Spanish in order to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers in various clinics within the facility to ensure understanding for all parties. Employees also translate medical documents to ensure patient comprehension of health information. Public Health Language Workers must complete regular training in order to stay up-to-date on current medical terminology and healthcare practices (e.g., HIPAA). Employees work in an office and healthcare/medical facility and do not have supervisory duties. Work is overseen and reviewed by the Public Health Language Coordinator and/or a Senior Public Health Language Worker.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Jefferson County Health Department provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

• Jefferson County Health Department: $48,672 - $75,524

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Driver's license.

• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish.

• Written and verbal fluency in English.

• Experience (paid or volunteer) interpreting oral information from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by Merit System agencies. These qualifications may be considered by a hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.

• Certification as Medical or Healthcare Interpreter (National Board of Certification for medical Interpreters or Commission for Healthcare Interpreters).

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

• Written and verbal fluency in language(s) other than English and Spanish.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES: 

• Serves as a liaison between the healthcare facility and the public by building relationships, making referrals, and providing information to the public about the services and resources that the health facility provides.

• Manages communication between healthcare service providers and limited English proficiency patients by interpreting verbal communication, translating written communication, and adjusting terminology to facilitate the examination and treatment of patients.

• Interprets spoken word of patients and care providers (e.g., WIC representative, doctor, nurse, dentist) from targeted language to English and English to targeted language to facilitate communication.

• Translates written documents (e.g., provider communication, medical forms, handouts, complaint forms) from targeted language to English and/or English to targeted language.

• Proofreads translated written materials (e.g., pamphlets, educational materials) to ensure documents are grammatically correct.

• Assists limited English proficiency patients needing medical care by scheduling appointments, answering and returning telephone calls, and contacting healthcare providers to provide medical advice or care to patients.

• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

• Maintains patient records by collecting information (e.g., identification, demographics, medical history), assisting in the completion of applications, taking notes, and updating electronic databases for documentation purposes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as walking or standing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in an office or medical/healthcare facility. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc. Employees may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operate its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.