SAH Interpreter

Under the direction of the manager of interpreter services the incumbent serves as a medical interpreter for patients and staff members and supports the operations of the department in the consecutive simultaneous or sight translation mode for all patients and family members who are LEP Deaf and hard of hearing.

Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in compliance with all office and hospital policies and procedures particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent passing performance of competencies listed in the IMIA Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics.

Understands and abides by all published Standards of Practice and Codes of Ethics for Medical Interpreters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in 3 different modalities: face to face; telephonic and/or video interpreting.


• Reduces linguistic barriers for patients and family members who are LEP deaf or hard of hearing seeking care at Steward Health Care.


• Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers.


• Explain hospital resources office protocols and limitations to clinicians and patients; make appropriate referrals; serve as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes.


• Performs duties in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation. Adheres to hospital policies on customer relations and hospitality. Understands the hospital's system of service delivery.


• Supports the office operations by answering the phone taking requests calling patients to confirm appointments document encounters on the interpreter tracking system and EMR performs data entry verify and schedule future appointments when necessary do iPad/IPOP troubleshooting filing and photocopying.


• Utilizes on-line computer systems such as Outlook and other hospital software. Work with special projects as assigned.


• Supports financial counseling process community outreach events as needed and when requested to do so by Interpreter Manager.


• Supports review of short translations as directed by manager


• Supports maintenance and monitoring of Interpreter and Disability Equipment


• Serves as a resource to staff for patients with disabilities.


• Supports all campuses and Steward off-sites when required to do so.


• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong linguistic skills:

• Fluency in English and one or more foreign languages both oral and written


• Ability to accurately work in consecutive mode and sight translate into and from working language(s).


• Understands variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers


• Selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation


• Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive and sight translation modes. Self-corrects understands own linguistic limitations seeks clarification and accepts correction


• Picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification.


• Strong writing skills preferably in both English and target language (s)


• Understands language as an expression of culture recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party about medicine the encounter the illness etc.; uses this understanding to empower patient and provider to better understand each other.


• Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages.


• Avoids generalizations and stereotyping. Uses culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time to clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter.


• Is aware of own personal values beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations is able to acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may interfere with successful interpretation

Strong interpreting skills

• Explains role of the interpreter to patient and provider; recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and added factor of linguistic barrier; sets tone of the patient/provider encounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication to preserve accuracy and completeness.


• Assess and address potential areas of discomfort for patient (age gender of interpreter no previous experience with interpreters)


• Encourages and fosters direct communication between provider and patient


• Maintains professional distance and integrity


• Diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial


• Clarifies instructions follow up steps in a diplomatic effective manner

Ethical competency:

• Understands and abides by hospital policies on patient confidentiality informed consent non-discrimination and by interpreters code of ethics and standards of practice

Interpersonal and customer service skills:

• Projects positive attitude about the department and the hospital and offers services to ensure positive experience


• Works as a team with colleagues and providers; addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging provider to make appropriate referral and/or assisting with making of appointment with right resource and booking interpreter as needed

Organizational skills

• Works well under pressure to manage stressful situations


• Flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes


• Produces expected quality and quantity of work


• Sound judgment and confidence


• Ability to handle multiple tasks


• Detail-oriented and accurate

Other:

• High level of customer service and a positive approach


• Familiarity and ability to work with diversity of cultural/socio-economic backgrounds


• General knowledge of cultural backgrounds of patients to be served


• Good interpersonal organizational and time-management skills


• Working knowledge of computer systems

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred


• Proof of medical interpreter training - minimum of 40 hours

• National Board Certification for spoken language interpreters (see www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org) preferred within 6 months of target language test availability

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Fast-paced clinical and office environment frequently changing priorities.


• Physically demanding with a lot of walking and standing time.


• Flexibility required in adjusting to schedule and patient demands.


• Emotionally challenging as some interactions may be highly stressful requiring maturity composure critical thinking and sound judgment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the main duties and responsibilities of this job.

The employee may perform or have exposure to the following 75% or more:

• Stand / walk


• Use hands to finger feel reach with hands and arms climb or balance


• talk or Hear

The employee may perform or have exposure to the following 50 - 75%:

• Infectious / contagious diseases

The employee may perform or have exposure to the following 25 - 50%:

• Stoop kneel crouch or crawl


• Lift up to 25lbs


• Outdoor weather conditions


• Extreme cold (non-weather)


• Risk of radiation


• Blood-borne pathogens


• Flammable explosive gases


• Toxic or caustic chemicals


• Dust or other irritants


• Infections from disease-bearing specimens


• Cleaning agents / chemicals


• Hot or noisy equipment


• Humid or wet conditions (non-weather)

Vision Requirements:

• Close vision


• Distance vision


• Color vision


• Peripheral vision


• Depth perception


• Ability to adjust focus

Safety equipment used while performing this job:

• Face shields


• Surgical mask and gown


• Gloves


• Boots