Cultural Liaison (Interpreter)

FDIHB•Fort Defiance, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides essential English-Navajo language translation and interpretation services for medical staff and Navajo patients. The role involves translating medical issues, communicating patient concerns, and coordinating interpreting services for other languages. The Cultural Liaison also plays a key role in providing Navajo translation and cultural sensitivity training for staff, acting as a resource for Navajo culture, and assisting with patient navigation and customer service in the Welcome Center. The position requires adherence to all protocols and procedures to ensure safe patient care and satisfaction, and may involve rotational on-call coverage and after-hours telephone interpreting services.

Requirements

Two (2) years’ experience of translating and interpreting the Navajo language.
High School Diploma or Equivalency (HSE).
Valid, unrestricted insurable driver’s license.
Resumes and references are required.
Must be an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation or a member of other federally-recognized Indian tribes for preference.

Nice To Haves

Current certificate of Indian blood (CIB).

Responsibilities

Provides English-Navajo language translation and interpretations for medical staff and Navajo patients.
Translates medical issues for patients and families and communicates patient concerns to medical staff.
Maintains and coordinates interpreting services for other languages using a volunteer interpreters list.
Coordinates interpreting and/or translating training for FDIHB staff.
Provides Navajo translation and cultural sensitivity for patients with long-term care needs and end-of-life issues, Advance Directives, Living Wills, and Durable Medical Power of Attorney.
Coordinates with the Patient Experience Lead Navigator, Patient Experience Supervisor, and/or the Patient Experience Manager to address patient and visitor concerns in a customer-friendly and culturally appropriate manner.
Coordinates with FDIHB’s Native Practitioners to ensure staff are culturally sensitive to the needs of Navajo Patients through training or educational materials.
Acts as a resource for Navajo culture to FDIHB Staff.
Assists Patient Navigators with greeting and determining the needs of patients, families, and visitors.
Assists with transporting patients to and from various clinics within the facility and provides accurate directions.
Follows all protocols and procedures to ensure safe delivery of patients and their possessions.
Assists with providing service to patients reporting to the Welcome Center by calling for transport, obtaining wheelchairs, or other services.
Recognizes sensitive cultural differences and remains professional and courteous.
Responds to questions in person or by telephone concerning the organization, functions, activities, and personnel of the hospital.
Monitors activities in the lobby and refers problems and questions to the appropriate personnel.
Notifies and reports all suspicious activity to Security and/or enters information into the electronic event reporting system.
Becomes familiar with emergency paging codes and emergency plans to direct persons to designated areas.
Enters patient complaints and/or grievances into the electronic event reporting system.
Assists with immediate resolution of patient complaints by listening and coordinating resolution to the patient’s satisfaction.
Provides rotational on-call coverage and/or provides telephone Navajo interpreting services after hours and on weekends.
Performs other duties as assigned.