Medical Interpreter - Spanish/English -PRN (As Needed) - On Site - DC
About The Position
The Medical Interpreter provides Spanish-English language interpretation services to patients, families, and staff in critical, acute, or chronic medical situations as needed. Services may be provided in person, by telephone, or through video remote interpretation to support patients and families in their interactions throughout the hospital. The role also provides sight translation of patient-care-related documents and document translation for a limited set of patient-related materials. The interpreter helps staff use interpretation services appropriately, communicates about staff and patient/family needs, and works with other departments and program staff to support continuity of care and meet cultural and linguistic requirements. The position also contributes to the coordination and documentation of interpretation assignments, requests, schedules, and reports. Additional duties may be assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience.
- At least 1 year of experience interpreting for individuals in critical situations.
- Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.
- High proficiency in medical terminology.
- Successfully pass the Interpreter Skills Assessment, or an equivalent assessment provided by CNH.
- Completion of a 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Course, with proof of a certificate from a reputable training institution.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate communication among patients, families, and staff.
- Interpret directly and accurately, without omissions, additions, or interference with communication.
- Manage assignments independently without close supervision.
- Maintain appropriate limits and professional boundaries, and protect the confidentiality and privacy rights of patients, families, and staff.
- Maintain a professional role and sensitivity in critical medical or psychosocial situations, respecting all parties and their roles.
- Abide by the Interpreter Code of Ethics.
- Provide accurate, clear, and timely verbal and written communication.
- Provide sight translation of patient-care-related documents and translate a limited list of patient-related materials.
- Educate staff about using interpreters and available interpretation services.
- Communicate with staff about staff needs and patient and family needs.
- Work interdepartmentally and provide recommendations by communicating information as requested and directed by medical providers or critical staff.
- Partner with program staff to share best practices and help ensure cultural and linguistic requirements are met.
- Advocate for patients and families with staff to facilitate continuity of care.
- Provide recommendations to departmental leadership regarding adequate services for non-English-speaking patients and families.
- Help coordinate interpretation assignments accurately, effectively, and efficiently.
- Maintain schedules, required logs, and tracking systems to track project progress and productivity.
- Keep interpretation requests and reports organized.
- Accurately document interpretation assignments in required systems and databases.
- Facilitate the distribution, coordination, and assignment of day-to-day activities among division staff under division leadership guidance.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
