Medical Interpreter
About The Position
The Medical Interpreter provides in-person and over-the-phone interpretation for providers, patients, and caregivers, helping patients understand medical terminology, treatment plans, and instructions in accordance with policy standards. The role supports communication between providers and Limited-English Proficient (LEP) or Non-English Proficient (NEP) patients and parents during inpatient and outpatient visits, including informed consent, medical interviews, and health care instructions. The interpreter may also interpret telephone conferences between caregivers and providers and guide LEP patients and families to appropriate hospital resources. The position requires coordination with other interpreters to cover assignments and participation in an on-call rotation as assigned. Employees are expected to meet job expectations, adhere to policies, deliver quality work, and apply St. Jude values and principles. Managers assess performance through spring and fall Check In milestones and the Annual Performance Review, in which employees are encouraged to participate. The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or GED; a bachelor's degree is preferred. Applicants must have at least three months or 480 hours of documented medical interpreting experience. Within 12 months of hire, the interpreter must obtain either the Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI) credential from the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters or the Certified Medical Interpreter (NBCMI) credential from the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. No certification or license is required by law. The stated salary range is $24.00–$42.00 per hour. The actual offer may depend on skills, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- At least three months or 480 hours of documented medical interpreting experience.
- Obtain either CCHI certification from the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters or NBCMI certification from the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters within 12 months of hire.
- Ability to understand and adapt to changing priorities, solve problems in a structured and logical way, and learn new approaches.
- Clear and effective written and verbal communication, including timely information exchange, clarification, and accurate review of documents and reports.
- Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize multiple tasks; meet tight timelines while maintaining quality and efficiency; adapt to unexpected changes; and escalate issues in a timely manner.
- Ability to respond effectively to patient, family, and institutional team needs; remain calm under pressure; and resolve routine requests while seeking guidance on complex issues.
- Ability to comprehend and interpret medical or clinical information, support patients and families, adapt interpretation to patient context, and communicate relevant cultural context to clinicians and staff.
- No licensure, registration, or certification is required by law.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree.
Responsibilities
- Interpret critical medical information for providers, patients, and caregivers in person and over the phone.
- Facilitate communication and understanding between providers and LEP/NEP patients and parents during inpatient and outpatient visits, including informed consent, medical interviews, and health care instructions.
- Interpret telephone conferences between caregivers and providers.
- Notify a supervisor of potential or actual communication problems involving LEP/NEP patients and staff.
- Guide LEP patients and families to appropriate hospital resources.
- Coordinate with other interpreters to ensure assignment coverage and participate in the on-call rotation as assigned.
- Meet job expectations, adhere to policies, deliver quality work, and apply St. Jude values and principles.
- Participate in performance management processes, including spring and fall Check Ins and the Annual Performance Review.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
