Medical Interpreter (Certified) Spanish - North Fulton

Wellstar Health System•Roswell, GA

About The Position

The Medical Interpreter II performs consecutive, simultaneous, and sight interpretation services for patients and families with LEP. In addition to standard interpretation responsibilities, this role supports team development through mentoring of new staff and participation in quality improvement initiatives. Actively supports interpreter scheduling and coordination during peak or emergent times. Promotes language access awareness among clinical teams and encourages best practices across all modalities. Interpretation services are provided in compliance with hospital policies, healthcare interpreter codes of conduct, and HIPAA standards. The interpreter will perform other related duties incidental to the work described.

Requirements

Associates Communication Disorders or Associates Other or Bachelors Communication Disorders-Preferred or Bachelors Other-Preferred Accredited Program Other
CCHI - Cert Comm Healthcare Interpret
Minimum 3 years full-time interpreting experience in health care related setting Required
Minimum 3 years Experience in customer service and ability to work with a wide range of people of diverse cultural/socio-economic backgrounds Required
in lieu of Associates degree, 5 years fulltime experience in health care interpretation may be considered Required
Experience and/or education providing medical written translation services Required
Proficiency assessment for written translation from ALTA or other Accredited institution accredited program is 40 hours Medical Interpreter Training from approved program/institution (i.e. BTG, ALTA, GSU, KSU, etc.)
Understanding of socio-political and linguistic disadvantages of patient populations that impact communication and understanding of medical care. Required
Ability to demonstrate interpreting proficiency in both English and target language (i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.) including specialized medical vocabulary High
The ability to understand and verbalize medical terminology, body systems, and disease processes in English and target language (i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.)
Demonstrate ability to translate written documents accurately, between English and and target language (i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.). This includes proficiency in reading and writing in both languages and the ability to capture the nuances, style, tone, and intent of the original message. High
Excellent communication skills including oral and written proficiency. High
Excellent organizational, problem-solving and diplomacy skills. High
Native or near native fluency in target language (i.e. Spanish) with strong writing and speaking skills in both English and target language (i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.) High
Ability to interpret complex, high-acuity, and high stakes conversations, topics, and settings (i.e. traumas, behavioral/mental health assessments, end of life care, etc.) High

Nice To Haves

Experience with translation memory software preferred.
Experience with multi-lingual encounters (3 or more languages) relay interpreting (i.e. Mayan-Spanish-English). Preferred

Responsibilities

The Medical Interpreter II performs consecutive, simultaneous, and sight interpretation services for patients and families with LEP. In addition to standard interpretation responsibilities, this role supports team development through mentoring of new staff and participation in quality improvement initiatives. Actively supports interpreter scheduling and coordination during peak or emergent times. Promotes language access awareness among clinical teams and encourages best practices across all modalities. Interpretation services are provided in compliance with hospital policies, healthcare interpreter codes of conduct, and HIPAA standards. The interpreter will perform other related duties incidental to the work described.
Provide timely and accurate interpretation services to patients, family members, and caregivers, ensuring clear communication during outpatient services, hospitalizations, consents, diagnoses, prognoses, treatment plans, follow-up appointments, and patient education.
Maintain strict confidentiality in all matters related to patient care and visitor interactions involving individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP).
Demonstrate a high level of spoken language proficiency in both source and target languages (e.g., English and Spanish), using specialized vocabulary accurately and objectively in accordance with the National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Medical Interpreters (NCIHC).
Collaborate and communicate effectively with team members and leadership to support a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Participate in departmental initiatives, including quality improvement projects and workflow enhancements.
Support onboarding and informal peer mentoring of new interpreters; assist in coaching and knowledge-sharing with less experienced team members.
Work collaboratively with providers and care teams to contribute to effective communication strategies and improved outcomes for patients with LEP.
Interpret information at a level appropriate to the patient/familys understanding, with attention to non-verbal communication, health literacy, and cultural context.
Demonstrate cultural competency and advocacy by identifying and addressing dialectal differences, cultural beliefs, practices, and norms affecting healthcare decisionswithin the boundaries of the medical interpreters role.
Exhibit proficiency in MS Office and related programs for basic documentation and communication tasks.
Promote customer satisfaction related to WellStar mission, vision, and values.
Conduct patient rounding along with providers (inpatients and ED).
Notify supervisor of any issues that may be problematic for LEP patients and families.
Follow-up with patient or patients family members to address identified issues/concerns.
Educate Wellstar team members regarding cultural and language issues that may be barriers to care.
Utilize and develop internal resources to enhance knowledge and skills to support excellent customer service standards and performance improvement processes.
Participate in continuing education programs and competency training to enhance professional role.
Maintain language skills and competencies by participating in annual educational trainings, cultural and linguistic competency trainings and other professional development opportunities.
Monitor emerging national policies, research and model practices regarding language access services.
Ensure familiarity with the following documents: National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and national Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards.
Identify self and team learning needs and seek opportunities for ongoing professional improvement.
Performs administrative tasks relative to the position.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation on all requests for interpretation services as well as the provision of services.
Demonstrate knowledge of how to access non-Spanish language assistance, including those for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Mandatory Requirements Annual Required Education.
Must maintain National Certification for Healthcare Interpreters (CHI) with the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI).
Annual Development (i.e. GAMES, Infection Control, Physical Ed., etc.)
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.