Health Care Interpreter II

ECU Health Medical Center•Greenville, NC

13d•$22 - $33

About The Position

Under the direction of the manager, the Health Care Interpreter II interprets for patients and team members using consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation modes. The interpreter relays medical information between speakers of two languages in compliance with departmental and hospital policies, especially those concerning patient confidentiality and informed consent, and follows the IMIA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and other published standards for medical interpreters. The role supports department operations through training and mentoring interpreters and interns, helping manage and troubleshoot interpreter devices and technology, assisting with more complex written and digital translations, researching and maintaining terminology resources, and supporting special projects. The interpreter may also help restock supplies. The position includes patient-facing and operational duties across clinical encounters, including virtual interpretation, documentation in the EMR, communication-safety reporting, patient and family experience support, and coordination with clinical teams and other resources. Some travel is required. The role may be performed in person or in the call center and has a first-shift schedule of three days per week, totaling 24 work hours. The primary language is Spanish.

Requirements

Associate degree or higher; equivalent-level degrees earned outside the United States must be verified.
At least 4 years of interpreting experience in a healthcare setting.
A national medical interpreter certification may substitute for 2 years of experience.
Completion of a 40-hour medical interpreter training program, such as Bridging the Gap or ALTA Language Services.
Demonstrated speaking and listening proficiency in the primary and secondary languages equivalent to ILR skill level 3+ or higher.
Some travel is required.
Primary language is Spanish.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree or higher.
National certification from CMI or CCHI.
Successful completion of an approved medical terminology course.
At least 6 years of satisfactory supervised work experience as a healthcare interpreter in an acute-care hospital or healthcare setting.
Experience training other interpreters.
Education and/or work experience in the candidate's non-native country.

Responsibilities

Interpret for patients, families, and team members using consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation modes.
Monitor comprehension and identify problems or changes in circumstances during encounters.
Gather relevant healthcare and situational background information and resources for each encounter.
Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, team members, patients, families, and external parties through in-person, written, electronic, telephone, fax, or pager communication.
Build and maintain constructive working relationships and represent the organization professionally.
Think critically under pressure, prioritize work, and make decisions or solve problems related to patient care.
Continuously develop subject-matter knowledge and interpreting skills and apply new learning to the job.
Handle complaints and conflicts when possible and request assistance when needed.
Use computers, computer systems, pagers, telephones, and communication technology; provide basic training and troubleshooting as needed.
Answer and respond to calls on the language resource line.
Provide virtual interpretation using a video remote technology platform and escalate issues to the onsite team as appropriate.
Treat patients, families, and team members with respect, dignity, patience, courtesy, empathy, and compassion.
Follow regulatory, safety, infection-control, disease-prevention, PPE, and HIPAA requirements and complete related training.
Identify patient communication needs and connect patients with appropriate language resources, American Sign Language, or assistive devices.
Document interpreting interventions and daily rounds in the EMR in a timely manner.
Identify and report communication-related safety issues in the Safety Intelligence system and partner with clinical teams to resolve safety, communication, and cultural issues.
Display and collect interpreter-services door signage when appropriate.
Assist patients and families with MyChart education and registration and translate MyChart messages through Epic for system clinics as needed.
Provide written translations for patient encounters and administrative purposes, including forms, basic medical instructions, medication schedules, letters, documents, and patient materials.
For inpatient work, cultivate appropriate professional relationships with patients, families, guests, and care teams; check in on patient and family experiences and help restore relationships within the scope of duties.
Collect feedback during rounds about food quality, room cleanliness, and hospitality and share it with the appropriate resource when possible.
Provide a Patient Visit Guide in the patient's preferred language when available, explain key content, and encourage use of the Ask Me3 section.
Offer guest food trays and coffee coupons to family members and help patients order meals as needed.
Offer connections to recreational therapy or other appropriate resources for diversional needs.
Serve as a resource for the Office of Experience and regularly report needs and issues to its departmental leaders, including contracted leaders.
Assist with service recovery by identifying patient needs and concerns, proactively seeking solutions, and connecting concerns to Tell Us Now or unit leadership with appropriate follow-up.
Assist with on-the-job training and mentor and guide interpreter interns, volunteers, and shadowing programs.
Assist with interpreter-device management, basic troubleshooting, locating interpreter technology, replenishing supplies from the stockroom, and troubleshooting pagers.
Assist with more complex written and digital translations, maintain and research terminology, and support special projects as assigned.