Medical Interpreter - Flagstaff Medical Center

Northern Arizona Healthcare•Flagstaff, AZ

About The Position

The Medical Interpreter provides general and Navajo medical interpretation services for limited-English-proficiency Navajo-speaking patients, their families, and healthcare providers at Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC). The interpreter collaborates with other departments and interpreters to support patient care, family communication, and provider services. The role assesses and monitors patients’ understanding of interpreted information and informs medical personnel of issues that may affect patient care. It also records and monitors interpretation activities and trains others to do so in accordance with hospital and department standards. The position participates in implementing, orienting staff to, training on, and evaluating language interpreting and language-assistance services under the FMC language assistance plan. A single incumbent serving as Lead Medical Interpreter also maintains new-hire orientation materials, orients new hires, participates in the Ethics Committee and Donor Network as needed, assists with grant research and applications for interpreter-services funding, maintains the interpreter training manual and log, facilitates interpreter certifications, serves as liaison for Cyracom iPads, phones, and TTY, and mentors and supports fellow interpreters.

Requirements

Fluency in the Navajo language.
Fingerprint Clearance Card application number required upon hire.
Fingerprint Clearance Card required within 90 days of hire.
Registration for a Navajo Interpreter course required within 6 months of hire.
Navajo Interpreter course certification required within 12 months of hire.
Understanding of computers and competence using computers and basic software programs.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
At least 1 year of work experience in an academic or healthcare setting.
At least 1 year of Navajo medical interpretation or direct patient care experience.

Responsibilities

Provide general and Navajo medical interpretation for patients, families, healthcare providers, staff, and administration.
Assess and monitor patient understanding of interpreted information and advise medical personnel of issues that may affect patient care.
Collaborate with departments, interpreters, and interdisciplinary staff to support patients and their families.
Record, monitor, and report interpretation activities, including maintaining charting and service data.
Train others in recording and monitoring interpretation activities according to hospital and department standards.
Participate in implementation, orientation, training, and evaluation of language interpreting and language-assistance services under the FMC language assistance plan.
Communicate sensitive information and work with diverse populations across economic backgrounds and age groups.
Assist with development of reports, presentations, and grant proposals.
Maintain knowledge of troubleshooting protocols and support resources, and assist staff in providing language support to patients and families.
Report safety-related incidents promptly through the Midas/RDE tool, attend safety training, work safely, and monitor the work environment for safety issues.
Stay current with and comply with applicable state and federal regulations, statutes, and company policies.
Keep required certifications and licenses current and valid, when applicable; complete mandatory modules and job-specific training on time.
Follow department standards for documentation and reports.
For the single Lead Medical Interpreter incumbent: maintain new-hire PowerPoint materials, orient new hires, participate in the Ethics Committee and Donor Network as needed, assist with grant research and applications, maintain the interpreter training manual and log, facilitate interpreter certifications, liaise for Cyracom iPads, phones, and TTY, and mentor and support fellow interpreters.