ASL Medical Interpreter

Stanford Health Care•Palo Alto, CA

1d•$56 - $74•Onsite

About The Position

The primary purpose of the ASL Interpreter is to provide ASL interpretation services to all Stanford Health Care departments for patient care. To this end, the ASL Interpreter acts as part of the appropriate health care team and makes communication possible across language barriers while maintaining patient confidentiality. Performs a variety of concise and accurate interpretation services in conjunction with medical, nursing and other health care staff via video conferencing and in-person to assist non-English speaking patients and their families receiving care within the Stanford Health Care system. The work of a ASL Interpreter requires providing direct assistance to patients and their families, health care providers and other staff, fluency in English and ASL languages, as well as the awareness, knowledge and skills needed for effective and efficient language interpretation in health care settings, including: • Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a health care interpreter. • Basic knowledge of common medical conditions, treatment, and procedures. • Insight into language and cultural nuances for specific communities. • Application of interpreting skills in English and ASL. Level Descriptors: This career-banded job description describes three levels of ASL Interpreter as defined by the attached document, "Professional Advancement Levels for SHC Interpreter Services," as adopted by the Department of Guest Services/Patient Experience. Positions in this career band may be flexibly staffed at the I or II level; however, initial appointment will be made at Level I. When an employee in Level I meets the minimum qualifications for and demonstrates that they possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities required of Level II, they may be promoted at the sole and non-grievable discretion of management without needing for there to be a vacant position or to go through the requisition (recruitment and selection process). A limited number of positions will be available at Level III (lead), to be determined by management, which will be filled by requisition open to qualified internal candidates only. ASL Interpreter I: This is the entry and first journeyperson level. ASL Interpreter II: This is the second journeyperson level. ASL Interpreter III: This is the advanced and work-lead level.

Requirements

One (1) to three (3) years of experience as a healthcare interpreter
Hiring requirement: passing the Stanford Hospital medical interpretation exam (80% passing grade).
Meet attendance, quality, and productivity standards, including covering hospital, ED and clinics as needed: day, evening, night, and weekends.
Apply knowledge of English and ASL language medical terminology, grammar and syntax when using active listening/comprehension, short memory retention techniques and verbal fluency to bi-directionally convey messages accurately and completely between the two languages.
Interpret medical conversations in any clinic or hospital area; and to interpret in person, or using technology: videoconference PC, and wireless conference interpretation equipment.
Collaborate with colleagues, staff, and clinicians across the organization.
Consistently treat everyone with courtesy, dignity, respect, and professionalism.
Remain calm in stressful situations.
Demonstrate compassion: empathy for patients’ physical or emotional needs; tolerance of emotionally disturbed patients, unpleasant sights and smells, open wounds, blood, vomit, urine, etc.
Work in a fast-paced environment, walking/standing for extended periods of time.
Observe hospital safety protocols to prevent occurrences or respond appropriately to an event of unplanned exposure to radiation, body fluids or infectious disease.
Observe interpretation professional ethics and standards.
RID - Interpreter For The Deaf Licensure .

Nice To Haves

B.A. degree preferred but optional; three years of interpretation experience in a healthcare setting may be accepted as a substitute

Responsibilities

Participate as a neutral party in the role as conduit of information that must flow between Stanford Health Care staff and the international or domestic patient/visitors.
Ensure that information pertaining to the patient's outpatient services, hospitalization, (i.e. advance directives, consents from treatment, diagnosis and prognosis, treatment plan, follow-up appointments and Health Care Education) are accurately communicated and assess the patient’s/family’s comprehension of such information. Advises physician, nursing and other patient care staff of any need for clarification. Ensures that the patient's/family’s questions/concerns regarding this information is to be appropriately addressed and documented.
Assist physicians, nurses and other health care professionals in interpreting information to clients on fact of diseases, disease prevention and follow-up, laboratory test results, immunization, and general health care; interprets provider’s diagnosis and recommendations.
Translate correspondence, medical histories, medical consent forms, medical procedures and instructions, legal documents, manuals, brochures and other pertinent documents as needed.
Provide interpreter for patients and their families, including one-on-one and in group settings, via video conferencing, and in-person, and convey the exact message as opposed to summarizing the information in a way that is subjective and provide required documentation.
Maintain accurate daily records on all requests for service as well as the provision of services. Maintain accurate and timely documentation within program database. Make notations in the patient’s chart indicating the origin of the request for interpretation, the nature of the service provided (such as interpreting treatment orders or pharmacy instructions), and an assessment of the patient’s understanding and level of acceptance of the information.
Promote customer satisfaction related to Stanford Health Care services; notify manager of any issues that may be problematic for patients or Stanford Health Care staff.
Train doctors and hospital staff in protocol for accessing Interpreting Services.
Participate in continuing education programs and competency training to enhance professional role.
Ensure that all policies and procedures related to process, service, and employee work rules are followed.
Ensure full access to hospital resources for non-English speaking patients and their families, including suggesting referrals to medical staff, clinical social workers, patient relations staff, chaplains, and other staff for patients and/or families who could benefit from their assistance.
Triages crisis interventions for non-English speaking patients and families.
Maintain confidentiality in all matters related to patient care and visitor issues on non-English speaking patients/families/escorts.
Participate in on call coverage to provide interpretation services during non-business hours and business hours as assigned.
Performs other related and incidental duties as needed or assigned.
Coordinates the training and testing of candidates for staff interpreter, agency interpreters and bilingual hospital staff.
Works with management to ensure ADA and national interpreter standards are met and complied with.
Participates and collaborates with other MI/T's, general orientation and training to the new hires in all areas pertaining to the role and responsibilities of the ASL Interpreter.
Assists manager and staff on quality improvement projects.
Assists manager on monitoring budget, usage and services provided by Stanford Interpreter Services.
Performs administrative tasks as assigned by management, including, but not limited to: department Pager and Spectra Link phone administration, representing the department at meetings with other departments regarding Interpreter Services.