Health Care Interpreter

Employment Type: Permanent Part Time
Position Classification: Interpreter Grade 2
Remuneration: $36.38 - $40.19 Per Hour + Super
Hours Per Week: 30
Requisition ID: REQ685222
Location: Wallsend Campus 
Closing Date: Wednesday 07 October 2026

Help make healthcare more accessible, inclusive and culturally responsive

Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) is seeking a NAATI-certified Kurdish Kurmanji Health Care Interpreter to join our dynamic and diverse Health Care Interpreter Service, within the Multicultural and Refugee Health Service.

This is an opportunity to use your language skills, cultural knowledge and professional interpreting expertise to support safe, equitable and effective healthcare for patients and families from the Kurdish Kurmanji-speaking community.

About the role

As a Health Care Interpreter, you will provide high-quality, accurate and confidential interpreting services to support communication between patients, families and health care professionals.

You will work across a range of health care settings, which may include:

• Hospitals and outpatient services
• Individual clinical consultations
• Home visits
• Other health-related settings

You will use a range of interpreting modes, including:

• Dialogue and consecutive interpreting
• Simultaneous interpreting and chuchotage
• Group interpreting
• Sight translation
• Face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting

You will also undertake administrative and reporting activities that support the effective operation of the Health Care Interpreter Service including the following: 

• Where appropriate and requested, provide culturally relevant information about patient care in an objective, informed and sensitive manner.
• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with HNELHD medical record and administrative requirements.
• Adapt to new electronic systems and technologies as required.
• Participate in mandatory training, professional development activities, workshops and educational programs.
• Contribute to cultural awareness activities, service promotion and service improvement initiatives that enhance patient experiences and outcomes.
• Apply appropriate interpreting modes across a variety of clinical and health care settings.

The position reports to the Manager, Health Care Interpreter Service.

About you

We are looking for someone who is professional, adaptable and committed to providing culturally responsive healthcare communication.

You will :

• Demonstrated proficiency in English and Kurdish Kurmanji, or another relevant Language Other Than English (LOTE) requirement
• The ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• A strong commitment to accuracy and impartiality
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team, work independently and manage competing requirements
• Flexibility and adaptability to work across different health care interpreting environments
• Provide high-quality, accurate and confidential interpreting and translation in your certified, assessed and approved language/s.

• Maintain your NAATI certification and undertake recertification within the required timeframe.

   

Experience in health care interpreting is valuable. An understanding of the health care environment, cultural considerations and the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities will also be highly regarded.

Essential Criteria 

• Eligible to drive in NSW and willingness to travel to sites across 

• Relevant NAATI credentials (Certified or Certified Provisional Interpreter)

About the Team

You will be supported throughout your role with access to ongoing training, professional development and guidance from the Professional Development Coordinator. Training opportunities may include workshops and education focused specifically on interpreting within the medical and health care environment, helping you continue to build your skills and confidence.

As part of the Multicultural and Refugee Health Service, you will contribute to a service that recognises the importance of language and culture in delivering safe, accessible and patient-centred healthcare.

Your work will help patients communicate with health professionals, understand their care and participate meaningfully in decisions about their health.

Why join Hunter New England Health?

• Be part of one of the largest and most diverse Local Health Districts in NSW
• Influence digital solutions that directly support patient care and clinical outcomes
• Salary packaging options
• Work collaboratively with passionate clinicians and digital health professionals
• Enjoy career development opportunities within NSW Health
• Make a real difference across a large, complex health service
• Fitness Passport for you and your family
  
   

What you'll be doing

Information for Applicants:

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. 

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.

To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa. 

We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.   

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.  Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact hnelhd-diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses. 

Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

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