Certified Medical Interpreter - The Longstreet Clinic - Pediatrics - Gainesville Must be Certified

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Medical Interpreter provides interpretation and translation for non-English-speaking patients and families throughout the facility. The role informs departmental leadership about cultural influences that may affect patient care and compliance, and serves as a visible patient and family advocate and liaison to the organization. The interpreter offers information, general assistance, and referrals to appropriate resources, helping make hospitalizations and outpatient services more reassuring for patients and families while responding to customer satisfaction concerns. The position requires fluent oral and written communication in English and Spanish, accurate and neutral interpretation, cultural sensitivity, discretion with confidential information, and computer proficiency. The interpreter works with patients, families, physicians, healthcare staff, and external providers, and may assist with rehabilitation services, patient visits, translated-document quality control, and staff training. Work takes place in a fast-paced, stressful environment serving a culturally and socially diverse patient population.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One year of customer service-related experience.
Must be bilingual in English and Spanish, with fluent oral and written communication skills.
A 40-hour Medical Interpretation Certificate approved by NGHS; may be obtained within four months of hire.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, healthcare staff, and external service providers.
Ability to handle complex, time-sensitive, confidential information with discretion and sensitivity.
Ability to prioritize tasks and produce high-quality work with minimal supervision under tight deadlines.
Computer and computer software proficiency.
Ability to work effectively across cultures.
Ability to work with a culturally and socially diverse patient population in a fast-paced, stressful environment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Provide complete and accurate interpretation and translation without changing, omitting, or adding to the meaning of spoken or written communications; remain neutral and separate personal beliefs from those of others.
Assist with interpretation of unit forms and communications about consent forms, including obtaining patient signatures.
Coordinate appointment times with staff and physicians for patients who speak the identified foreign language.
Assist with quality control of documents translated from English into Spanish, as needed.
Support customer satisfaction and identify opportunities to improve service and patient management for culturally diverse populations.
Address culturally based miscommunication by sharing relevant cultural information with patients and providers.
Maintain confidentiality and patient privacy in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
Maintain a positive, calm, helpful, respectful, and team-oriented manner with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers.
Assist rehabilitation therapists when required, protect patient safety and modesty, and notify therapists or assistants of notable patient responses.
Assist team members, perform data entry and computer activities, and accurately complete required documentation.
Visit new inpatients within 12 hours of admission when required, encourage patients to raise concerns, and maintain accurate daily visit logs.
Provide information, general assistance, complaint resolution, and referrals; answer questions about hospital policies and procedures and refer patients or families to other departments as appropriate.
Respond attentively to patient needs and escalate unresolved high-risk incidents to the Manager.
Participate in staff training and orientation, keep knowledge current as services and duties change, and orient new employees.
Work with Security to inventory patient valuables from admission through discharge.
Attend and complete mandatory education courses.
Perform other duties as assigned and adjust efficiently to a fast-paced, stressful work environment.