Trained Medical Interpreter, Spanish

Lehigh Valley Health Network • Allentown, PA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

Provides Spanish-language interpreting services to support understanding and communication between individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and staff. Assists clinic staff in facilitating cross-cultural communication for non-English-speaking patients of all ages.

The interpreter delivers accurate, verbatim interpretation between LEP patients and hospital personnel, preserving the medical record and conveying the speaker’s meaning, intent, tone, style, and language level. The role also supports communication about clinical services, medical terminology, and support services; explains the interpreter’s role and its limits; and helps patients and clinicians understand relevant cultural values and practices, hospital resources, office protocols, and limitations. The interpreter serves as a cultural mediator, makes appropriate referrals, and develops relationships with LEP community focus groups to better understand community needs.

This is an onsite, day-shift position at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year of experience in human or health services.
• Ability to adhere to interpreter standards of practice and code of ethics.
• Ability to continuously perform the same type of work for extended periods.
• Ability to interpret and translate daily, including in potentially stressful situations.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and/or specialized vocabulary.
• Understanding of the subject matter to effectively convert the source language to the target language.
• BTG (Bridging the Gap), State of Pennsylvania, required upon hire.

Nice To Haves

• Foreign language training.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate interpretation between limited-English-proficiency patients and hospital personnel.
• Educate individuals and staff about culturally specific values, beliefs, and practices relevant to the encounter.
• Convey information about clinical services, medical terminology, and support services to LEP patients.
• Explain the interpreter’s role and what interpreters can and cannot do.
• Serve as a cultural mediator to enhance communication between patients or families and care providers regarding medical care.
• Explain hospital resources, office protocols, and limitations to clinicians and patients, and make appropriate referrals.
• Develop relationships with LEP community focus groups, focusing on community needs.
• Provide verbatim interpretation to preserve the medical record and convey the message’s meaning in the target language.
• Listen effectively, remain open to other points of view, and convey the speaker’s intent, tone, style, and language level.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED