Medical Interpreter II, Multi-Cultural Services, Per Diem

Hours: Per Diem, all shifts

Job Summary:

Responsible for the provision of Medical Interpreting in to both inpatient, outpatient, and community populations. Works as a cultural broker between clinician, patient and family; Ensures accuracy; maintains privacy, confidentiality and respect; explains role of interpreter. Guides patient into talking directly to Health Care Provider; selects interpretation mode (consecutive/simultaneous); becomes the voice of the patient and Health Care Provider (uses the first person); intervenes/explains only to prevent barriers to communication and to increase patient’s/provider’s level of cross cultural understanding; interprets accurately and completely what is being said by the patient and the Health Care Provider; assists patient in setting up appointments at best time and date for patient to attend (when appropriate). Promotes pre/post/intermission meetings with Health Care Providers to discuss/clarify any issues that may interfere with patient’s Health Care Provider communication and relationship.

Essential Functions

• Explains cultural differences or practices to health care providers and clients when appropriate.
• Maintains a low profile by neither expressing personal opinions nor reacting to what is said.
• Facilitates communication between parties accurately, without judgment or making comments, even if the interpreter disagrees with what is said, thinks it is wrong, a lie or even immoral.
• Maintains impartiality, by not influencing own opinion onto patients or clients and only provides and/or restates information that will assist the client in making his/her own decision, even when asked for opinion by patient or client.
• Strives to develop a relationship of trust and respect at all times with the client by adopting a caring, attentive, yet discreet and impartial  attitude toward the patient, toward his or her questions, concerns and needs.
• Treats each patient equally with dignity and respect regardless of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, political persuasion or life-style of choice.
• Discloses any real or perceived conflict of interest that could affect objectivity and declines or withdraws from assignment when appropriate.
• Pursues good listening, attention, concentration and understanding of message.
• Takes brief notes, when necessary, in order to build own bilingual medical glossary
• Asks for clarification, when necessary, without leaving other patient or provider out.
• Maintains level of knowledge of evolving language and medical terminology through continuing education and ties with the IMIA or other national organizations.
• Completes encounter forms at the conclusion of each encounter completely and accurately with clients or patients and submits timely to the department for processing.

Statement of Other Duties

This document describes the major duties and responsibilities for this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that employees may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described.

Functional Demands

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Frequently reaches (extending hands and arms in any direction), and handles (seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or working with hands).

Organizational Expectations

Behavioral Attributes

The following behavioral attributes are required: achievement motivation, concern for order, flexibility, initiative, self-confidence, customer service oriented, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, analytical thinking and information seeking.

Asks for clarification, when necessary, without leaving other
patient or provider out.

Minimum Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Certification in Medical Interpreting is required (National Cert. Preferred)
  • At a minimum, 40hr to 60hr certification is preferred but will accept a fifteen-hour certification, providing interpreter will obtain a 40-60hr hour certification within one year of hire (pending training is offered)

Required Skills

• Spoken language fluent in one or more of the following languages is highly preferred:
  • Haitian Creole, Brazilian Portuguese, and/or Arabic 
• Fluent in written/spoken English language required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are necessary for interaction with patients, their families, and staff under stressful / emergency situations.
• Minimum Work Experience 
• Prior experience as a medical interpreter preferred