Interpreter (Portuguese/Cape Verdean Creole) -- Bowdoin Street Health Center

Job Type: Regular

Time Type: Full time

Work Shift: Rotating (United States of America)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Job Summary: Providing interpreting and translation services for non-English speaking patients and employees at Bowdoin Street Health Center in fulfillment of the health center's commitment to serve its employees and the community at large.



Founded in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood in 1972 by community residents, Bowdoin Street Health Center remains focused on providing outstanding medical care while maintaining a tradition of working with residents to identify and meet their unique health needs. The mission of the health center is to provide excellent, compassionate care to our patients and support the health of the entire community.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Enables Health Center Staff to better meet the needs of non-English speaking in-patients, out-patients and employees; e.g., interpretation between health care providers and patients, including translating consent forms and other written materials for procedures and other related information; interprets during procedures performed.
2. Relays patient-provider communications that require interpretation or translation by phone, voice-mail, page, computer-mail, and letter. Ensures timely turnaround of patient-provider communications. Remains alert to problematic situations (e.g. breakdowns in communication, lack of information) and suggests appropriate solutions before problems arise whenever possible.
3. Explains cultural differences, practices and beliefs to healthcare providers and patient when appropriate. Keeps accurate statistical data and submits them to the operations manager.
4. Maintains and improves expertise through appropriate continuing education. Participates in training and informational sessions as they become available and as required by manager.

Required Qualifications:

1. High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
2. 0-1 years related work experience required.
3. Experience in medical terminology, at a level that ensures accurate interpretation and translation.
4. Experience with computer systems required, including web based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access.

Competencies:

1. Written Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English with internal and external customers.
2. Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.
3. Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate full working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.
4. Team Work: Ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members.
5. Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

Physical Nature of the Job:
Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Some elements of the job are sedentary, but the employee will be required to stand for periods of time or move through out the hospital campus

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Learn more about this requirement.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled