Interpreter

Brown Medicine•East Providence, RI

95d•$24 - $39•Onsite

About The Position

SUMMARY: Reports to the Manager Interpreter Services. Provides both oral and written foreign language interpretation and translation services to patients and families in all areas of the hospital. Explains hospital policies and procedures and provides assistance to patients who have language difficulties. All essential functions performed in this position reflect the age specific needs of the patients. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides both oral and (limited) written foreign language interpretation services to patients. Converts messages uttered in a source language into an equivalent message in the target language so that the intended recipient of the message responds as if heard in the original language. Interprets with precision and accuracy. Translates and provides directions to patients on such things as complex treatments, procedures, medications and diets. Directs patients to appointments by phone instructions or by physical escort. Interviews patients to complete required forms. Interprets doctors', nurses', and other hospital employees' questions, and/or instructions to patients, including technical terms; explains the patients' responses and/or questions to doctors, nurses, and others. Translates diets to nutritionists, prescribed diet to patients, and their food consumption. Translates medication instructions, letters, medical summaries, and general translations regarding various subjects. Provides explanation of hospital billing system, hospital bills, and third party procedures by interpreting and assisting the patients in completion of the materials. Assists patients in finding financial aid, nursing home care, etc., by translating information for them. Interprets and translates for employees and their department supervisors, in areas of the Personnel Health Clinic, employment process, departmental and/or individual employee meetings involving work procedures, problems, or hospital-prevalent actions. Communicates for the patients and employees with outside agencies; i.e., hospitals, clinics, welfare, social security, and insurance companies, and when required, provides medical information to overseas doctors and hospitals. May provide training and teaching of foreign words and phrases to hospital personnel and employees, to facilitate communication, and to allay anxiety of patients. Provides general information regarding cultural issues and ethnic attitudes. Records and maintains related logs, records, and statistical data. Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control in accordance with established hospital department policies, procedures, and objectives. Performs other related duties, as required. Fosters patient and family centered care in accordance with the Brown University Health mission, vision and values and the philosophy of nursing at The Miriam Hospital and with consideration of the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns.

Requirements

BASIC KNOWLEDGE: Associate's Degree or its equivalent level of experience.
Fluency and proficiency in both English and target foreign language.
Completion of a registered medical interpreter certificate program of a minimum of 40 hours duration, with a passing score on the final assessment.
Ability to accurately provide oral and written interpretation services.
Demonstrated proficiency in Medical Terminology in English and a foreign language in order to interpret and translate accurately.
Interpersonal and communication skills to deal effectively with medical providers treating patients and their families in situations that may be difficult and highly emotional for both parties.
EXPERIENCE: Three years of formal training or experience and fluency in a foreign language.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Healthcare environment such as acute care hospitals, physicians' offices and ancillary healthcare enterprises. Any hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety procedures and precautions.

Responsibilities

Provides both oral and (limited) written foreign language interpretation services to patients.
Converts messages uttered in a source language into an equivalent message in the target language so that the intended recipient of the message responds as if heard in the original language.
Interprets with precision and accuracy.
Translates and provides directions to patients on such things as complex treatments, procedures, medications and diets.
Directs patients to appointments by phone instructions or by physical escort.
Interviews patients to complete required forms.
Interprets doctors', nurses', and other hospital employees' questions, and/or instructions to patients, including technical terms; explains the patients' responses and/or questions to doctors, nurses, and others.
Translates diets to nutritionists, prescribed diet to patients, and their food consumption.
Translates medication instructions, letters, medical summaries, and general translations regarding various subjects.
Provides explanation of hospital billing system, hospital bills, and third party procedures by interpreting and assisting the patients in completion of the materials.
Assists patients in finding financial aid, nursing home care, etc., by translating information for them.
Interprets and translates for employees and their department supervisors, in areas of the Personnel Health Clinic, employment process, departmental and/or individual employee meetings involving work procedures, problems, or hospital-prevalent actions.
Communicates for the patients and employees with outside agencies; i.e., hospitals, clinics, welfare, social security, and insurance companies, and when required, provides medical information to overseas doctors and hospitals.
May provide training and teaching of foreign words and phrases to hospital personnel and employees, to facilitate communication, and to allay anxiety of patients.
Provides general information regarding cultural issues and ethnic attitudes.
Records and maintains related logs, records, and statistical data.
Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control in accordance with established hospital department policies, procedures, and objectives.
Performs other related duties, as required.
Fosters patient and family centered care in accordance with the Brown University Health mission, vision and values and the philosophy of nursing at The Miriam Hospital and with consideration of the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns.