INTERPRETER

Covenant Health•Morristown, TN

17h

About The Position

The Interpreter provides English/Spanish translation and interpretation services for patients, physicians, other health care providers, associates, or agents who need language support for patient-related reasons. The role translates written materials in both directions and supports the development and revision of communications for Spanish-speaking patients and families. It also interprets medical terminology and helps facilitate understanding and rapport between patients, families, and healthcare providers while refraining from giving medical advice beyond what trained staff provide. The position also supports clinic operations, including addressing language barriers, making patient calls, answering and routing telephone calls, recording changes in patient information, scheduling return visits and end-of-day procedures, documenting procedures and diagnoses for charge entry, and compiling billing data. The Interpreter follows policies and safety standards, participates in quality improvement initiatives, collaborates with the care team, attends meetings as required, completes annual education assignments, and successfully passes the medical interpreter assessment.

Requirements

Demonstrate competency in the required foreign language.
Hold interpreter certification through the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) or Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI), or obtain certification from the TN Language Center within 90 days of employment.
Sufficient formal education and/or prior work experience to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the job; this is typically equivalent to a high school diploma or GED, though no specific minimum education is stated.

Nice To Haves

Previous interpreter experience.
A high school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

Translate written materials from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English, including newsletters, bulletins, forms, letters, menus, memoranda, notices, and teaching materials.
Assist in developing and revising forms and other communications for Spanish-speaking patients and families.
Incorporate age-specific information into interpretation and translation communications or activities as directed by clinical areas.
Identify and address language barriers, including making necessary patient phone calls or speaking with patients when they arrive at the clinic.
Interpret medical terminology for patients and families, provide explanations to facilitate communication and understanding, and build rapport between Spanish-speaking patients and healthcare providers.
Refrain from providing medical advice beyond what trained staff provide.
Follow policies, procedures, and safety standards; work toward goals and objectives; and participate in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
Answer telephone calls and route them accordingly, as needed.
Receive and record changes in patient information.
Demonstrate familiarity with insurance procedures and knowledge of provider plan participation.
Ensure procedures and corresponding diagnoses are properly recorded on fee slips for charge entry.
Schedule appointments for return visits and end-of-day procedures and balancing.
Compile data for billing personnel.
Attend required meetings and participate on committees as directed.
Collaborate with patients, physicians, and other care team members as part of a team-based approach to patient care.
Complete required annual education assignments and successfully pass the medical interpreter assessment.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.