What are the responsibilities and job description for the Language Access Services Manager - Patient Services position at UTMB Health?
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Linguistics, Healthcare Administration, or relevant field.
- Three (3) years of experience supervising or managing a Language Access team in a healthcare environment or translation and localization environment.
- Spoken/signed and written fluency in English and another language; such as American Sign Language, Spanish, Vietnamese, etc.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS:
Required
Holds one of the following current certification credentials (or equivalent approved by the department) and/or obtains this certification within 18 months of employment
- For Spanish or Mandarin interpreters: Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) from the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters or Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) from the National Board for Certification of Medical Interpreters ‘
- For interpreters of other languages: CoreCHI-P from the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
- National Interpreter Certification (NIC) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
- The Texas State Department of Health and Human Services Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) certification at the Advanced level, Master level, Trilingual Advance level, Trilingual Master level, Medical Interpreter Certificate or BEI Level IV.
- National Association for the Deaf (NAD) Level IV.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Manager of Language Access Services is the resident UTMB subject matter expert on translating, interpreting, and disability access to improved communication, safety, and satisfaction for Deaf and Limited English Proficient patients. The incumbent oversees the overall approach to Language Access including, but not limited to qualifications and performance of the linguists providing interpreting and translation, as well as the external vendors who supplement staff services.
JOB FUNCTIONS
- Develop annual goals, budget, and strategic planning for Language Access Services in alignment with priorities set by Patient Services and executive leadership.
- Create evidence-based plans, toolkits, and strategies for optimal provision of Language Access Services.
- Coordinate vendor services for OPI, VRI, on-site vendor interpreting, fluency testing, and translation of documents, and create and manage vendor KPIs and scorecards for language access vendors.
- Recruit, interview, hire, manage, coach, mentor, and evaluate the UTMB's team of translators, American Sign Language and spoken language interpreters, and support staff.
- Coach and educate hospital executive team, physicians, leaders and front-line staff, on an ongoing basis, of best practices in Language Access to enhance and optimize the patient experience during their engagement with all healthcare system services.
- Drive a patient safety model for Language Access that includes a staff bilingual program and ad hoc interpreter program for the UTMB Health System
- Remain updated on federal, state and local requirements to ensure UTMB remains in compliance.
- Educate and inform UTMB workforce of state and federal regulatory requirements.
- Oversee the implementation, functionality, maintenance, and data retention for all Video Remote interpreting devices and other required devices.
- Routinely review and update pertinent UTMB documents, policies, and procedures relevant to Language Access.
- Serve as the health system expert on communication needs for Deaf, Deaf/Blind, Hard-of-hearing, and Limited English Proficient patients; oversee the team and techniques used to deliver services to patients with these communication needs.
- Remain on the forefront of technology and its ability to improve the patient and staff experience while not compromising patient safety.
SALARY
- Salary commensurate with experience
Equal Employment Opportunity
UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
