Medical Interpreter 2

St. Luke's Health System•Jerome, ID

About The Position

The Medical Interpreter 2 facilitates clear, accurate, and effective medical and general interpretation for healthcare staff, patients, companions, and visitors. Under the direction of Language Access Services leadership, this role is an integral member of the healthcare team, supporting effective communication, cultural understanding, and equitable access to care for people who speak languages other than English. The interpreter provides objective, complete, and culturally responsive interpretation beyond basic message conversion. The role serves as a communication conduit to ensure accuracy and completeness, a communication manager to support effective interaction while preserving the patient-provider relationship, and a cultural broker who recognizes and articulates cultural influences that may affect care. These functions promote mutual understanding, patient safety, and high-quality outcomes across diverse populations.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of professional interpretation experience, including at least one year in a healthcare or medical setting.
Completion of a 40-hour medical interpreter training program.
Certification through the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI), the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI), or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Provide accurate, complete, and nuanced interpretation across in-person, phone, and video modalities.
Independently manage complex clinical encounters, ensuring clarity and completeness of communication.
Assess and support mutual understanding between patients and providers.
Facilitate communication in sensitive or challenging situations while maintaining neutrality.
Identify and address cultural and linguistic barriers impacting care.
Exercise independent judgment to support effective patient-provider interaction.
Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational standards.
Uphold interpreter ethics, confidentiality, and professional standards.
Partner with healthcare teams to improve communication outcomes and patient experience.
Provide guidance to staff on effective use of interpreter services.
Use technology, platforms, and workflows independently to manage assignments.
Support coordination, prioritization, or triage of interpretation requests as needed.
Resolve most communication challenges independently and escalate when appropriate.
Serve as a resource to less experienced interpreters and staff.
Identify communication barriers and recommend practical solutions.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.