Pharmacy Interpreter

Are you looking for an opportunity to do amazing work helping others? You've come to the right place. Let's make a difference!

Primary Health Care (PHC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Bery Engebretsen in Des Moines, IA. Our mission has remained unchanged since that time, to provide healthcare and supportive services to all, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay.

Based on the needs of the communities we serve, PHC offers a spectrum of medical and dental services including family practice, behavioral health, HIV care and services, and pharmacy. PHC’s Homeless Support Services is the entry point for serving people experiencing homelessness in Polk County. Enabling services are available to help patients with benefits enrollment, case management, transportation, translation, and patient education. We currently have locations in Ames, Des Moines, & Marshalltown.

As a Pharmacy Interpreter, you will be responsible for providing accurate and effective English/Spanish interpretation services for PHC patients, clients, their families, and health center staff, assisting with pharmacy services, paperwork and education. The Pharmacy Interpreter refers patients and clients to appropriate health center staff, advocating for patients to identify and provide access to PHC and community resources. Provides excellent customer service, answering the pharmacy phone and greeting patients at the pharmacy windows, including performing check-out duties. Demonstrates PHC’s iCare values in daily work

What's Great About this Position?

• Earn 4 weeks of PTO throughout your first year of employment and enjoy paid holidays as well.

• Fast paced work environment while helping patients over the phone as well as in person.

• Continue to develop your skills and grow your career through PHC’s training opportunities including: PHC University, Emerging Leaders, and medical and dental assistant training programs.

What You Will Do

1. Provides accurate and effective interpretation, including any necessary paperwork, medication information and education, as well as other interactions for non-English speaking patients, families and health center staff. Interactions may occur in person and/or on the telephone.

2. Translates written documents, correspondence and brochures used by patients and families as appropriate.

3. Informs and provides consultation to health center staff regarding cultural or ethnic issues.

4. Refers patient concerns/issues to appropriate Center staff, advocating for patients to identify and access resources available through medical, dental, insurance and other daily living resources.

5. Answers phones and looks up patient prescription information in the pharmacy computer system.

6. Conducts cash register and credit card machine check out duties and signs out all prescriptions through the pharmacy computer system, adhering to all rules and regulations.

7. Works with pharmacy staff on ordering OTC and office supplies.

Qualifications You Need to Bring

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of one-year experience as interpreter or translator.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish.

• Experience working with customers and with receiving payments in various forms, making change, and issuing receipts.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Good problem-solving skills with ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Basic computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office applications and EMR systems.

• Competent math skills.

• License & Certificati ons: Pharmacy Support Person registration with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy*

[*Must be obtained within 30 days of hire]

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

• Community Health Center experience.

• Experience as interpreter or translator in medical setting.

• Experience teaching ESL classes or comparable teaching experiences

• License & Certifications: Medical Terminology and/or Medical Interpretation certificate.
  

We Take Care of Our People

Your experience and skills determine your base pay. The hiring range for this position is typically $17.00- $21.25 per hour. Candidates with extensive work experience related to this position may be considered for additional compensation up to the pay grade maximum of $25.50 per hour. PHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous PTO accrual (equal to 4 weeks at end of 1st year) plus paid holidays

• License/certification fee reimbursement

• Paid time off for continuing education & continuing education reimbursement

• Tuition reimbursement program

• 401k with company match

• Medical insurance - PHC Pays, on average, 80% of medical premiums for all plan types (employee, employee + family, etc.)

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Life & disability insurance

• Flexible spending & health savings accounts

• Supplemental accident & critical illness insurance

• Discounts on pet insurance

Visit for a summary of PHC’s benefits.

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