Spanish Medical Interpreter | Part-Time & Full-Time

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

Facilitates communication between patients and families with limited English proficiency, who are deaf, or who are hard of hearing, and medical center staff. Provides accurate, comprehensive, and professional medical interpreting in person, by phone, or by video remote. The role also proactively supports safe patient care and promotes a safe environment at Children’s. The interpreter may provide limited, accurate written translations, including discharge instructions and other patient-specific information. The role requires understanding medical terminology and disease processes in English and the target language, awareness of cultural and linguistic factors affecting healthcare communication, and the ability to interpret in ways suited to patients’ health literacy and developmental needs.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years of experience as an interpreter in a healthcare or health-related setting.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Demonstrated proficiency in English and the target language.
Ability to understand and verbalize medical terminology and disease processes in English and the target language.
Understanding of socio-political and linguistic disadvantages affecting patient communication and understanding of medical care.
Knowledge of cultural advocacy related to dialectal differences, cultural beliefs and practices, and social norms affecting healthcare decisions, within the boundaries of the medical interpreter role.

Nice To Haves

Pediatric experience.
Experience interpreting for a multidisciplinary provider team.
Experience with written translation.
Pass the medical interpreter skills assessment administered by a third party such as ALTA or another Children’s-approved medical interpreting certifying body.
Associate degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Training or a certificate in interpretation, translation, or a related field from an accredited institution or program, preferably within 30 days of hire; a minimum of 40 hours is preferred.
For sign language interpreters: RID membership through National Interpreter Certification (NIC), a National Association of the Deaf (NAD) credential, or another RID-recognized certification.

Responsibilities

Facilitate communication between patients or families and providers by accurately and completely interpreting messages.
Follow accepted interpreter ethics, including applicable NCIHC, IMIA, and RID codes.
Provide limited, accurate written translations in English and the target language, including discharge instructions and other patient-specific information as needed.
Consistently record interpreted patient and family encounters to support performance improvement goals.
Interpret at the patient’s or family’s level of understanding, recognizing nonverbal communication, cultural patterns, and health literacy needs.
Transition appropriately between first-person and third-person interpreting when needed for a socially and developmentally appropriate interpretation.
Recognize when a clinical encounter or language barrier requires clarification, and use clarification techniques to address cultural, social, or linguistic differences.
Manage the tone, spatial configuration, and flow of interpreted encounters to support accuracy and completeness and address potential patient discomfort.
Adapt interpretation to convey meaning and context appropriately for the situation and the developmental level of everyone involved.
Recognize and convey relevant nonverbal communication cues to providers.
Use culturally appropriate behavior and clarify or interject at appropriate times while respecting the encounter’s goals and personal values and beliefs.
Complete assigned annual clinical competencies.
Participate in continuous learning and professional growth.