Foreign Language Interpreter - Spanish
About The Position
Make every word count when patients and families are navigating complex, deeply personal healthcare decisions. As a Spanish Medical Interpreter with UVA Health, you will help ensure that patients with limited English proficiency can understand their care, communicate their needs, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their health. This position offers experienced medical interpreters the opportunity to work across an academic health system and support encounters spanning virtually every medical specialty. You will bring linguistic accuracy, cultural awareness, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to interpreter ethics and patient advocacy.
Requirements
- Prior medical interpretation experience.
- Completion of a 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program.
- Strong Spanish and English fluency.
- Working knowledge of healthcare terminology and procedures.
- High School or equivalent required.
- Completion of accredited interpreter training program required.
- None (experience requirement).
- Required licensure must be attained within one year of hire or transfer, see position specifications for accepted licensure.
Nice To Haves
- National medical interpreter certification.
- Candidates who are not yet certified must be eligible to obtain certification within one year.
Responsibilities
- Provide professional Spanish interpretation for inpatient and outpatient encounters.
- Interpret medications, diagnoses, procedures, treatment plans, and discharge or follow-up instructions with accuracy and neutrality.
- Support sensitive conversations, including goals-of-care and end-of-life discussions.
- Facilitate patient and family education across a wide range of clinical specialties.
- Participate in education sessions for heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplant programs.
- Help clinical teams recognize and navigate relevant linguistic, cultural, and dialect differences.
- Advocate for clear communication while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Travel among University Hospital, Fontaine, Northridge, Moser, the Battle Building, and other UVA-associated clinical locations.
- Manage a typical schedule of approximately 8 to 11 appointments per day, with higher volumes possible in busy clinics such as Prenatal Services.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Retirement Savings
- Long-term and Short-term Disability
- Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Certification and Education Support
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
