Medical & Human Services Interpreter - Dari & Pashto - Per Diem

Church World Service•Harrisonburg, LA

1d•$27 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Provide professional, accurate, and culturally responsive medical interpretation to support equitable access to healthcare. Ensure compliance with national standards and organizational policies while maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and service quality across all interpreting assignments. Incumbent(s) must be bilingual in Dari and Pashto.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Certificate of completion of a 40-hour medical interpreter training that adheres to the National Council of Interpreting in Health Care Code of Ethics. Bridging the Gap training is preferred, and others will be evaluated by CWS.
Valid certificate that demonstrates proficiency in English and at least one target language relevant to the service area.
If the candidate does not have valid proof of language proficiency, by applying for this position they acknowledge that CWS will schedule a language test, the cost of which will be covered by the candidate.
Strong knowledge of interpreter ethics, confidentiality, and national standards of practice.
Proven ability to manage complex and sensitive interactions requiring discretion and independent judgment.
Familiarity with electronic scheduling or case-management systems.

Nice To Haves

Minimal 2 years of professional experience as a medical interpreter in hospital, clinic, or behavioral-health settings, especially, experience providing interpretation in hospital inpatient or emergency settings.
Valid certification through CCHI (Certified Healthcare Interpreter) or NBCMI (National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters).
Prior experience coordinating with multiple departments or external agencies.

Responsibilities

Provide consecutive and simultaneous interpretation between English and the target language in medical, behavioral health, and community healthcare settings.
Convey the full meaning, tone, and intent of each message accurately and completely, without adding, omitting, or altering information.
Uphold HIPAA and organizational confidentiality standards during all interactions.
Perform sight translation of written documents that clients are required to sign at hospitals and medical offices, following professional standards regarding which forms must be translated only in the presence of a healthcare provider.
Identify and address linguistic or cultural barriers that may impact understanding between clients and providers.
Identify when clients’ rights may be at risk or violated,and use professional judgment to determine when to advocate directly on their behalf or escalate the concern to a supervisor, following established organizational protocols.
Assist clients before each medical appointment in completing patient/client forms, health and/or personal history questionnaires, and other intake materials to ensure accuracy and readiness for the visit.
Confirm appointment details by calling clients in advance to verify availability and readiness for scheduled services.
Support logistical coordination by assisting clients in scheduling, rescheduling, or canceling appointments when needed.
Communicate effectively with healthcare providers, front-office staff, and service coordinators to anticipate needs, clarify expectations, and resolve barriers in real time.
Advise program management on issues affecting interpretation delivery, client satisfaction, or compliance.
Contribute feedback and recommendations to improve scheduling, training, and quality-assurance processes.
Serve as a professional representative of the Interpreter Services Program with external clients and community partners, demonstrating discretion, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
Maintain high standards of service quality across all interpreting assignments.
Perform all duties in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
Maintain current knowledge of medical terminology, cultural competence, and emerging standards of interpreter practice through ongoing education and professional development.