(Certified) Medical Interpreter - Spanish - PRN

Facility: 1800 Parkway Center

Job Summary:

The medical interpreter will provide consecutive, simultaneous, and sight interpretation to patients and their families with limited English proficiency (LEP) in order to enhance patients' and family members' understanding of medical procedures, treatment options, discharge instructions, patient and family education and follow-up care. Interpretation should be relayed in compliance with hospital policies and procedures and HIPPA Standards. Promotes the appropriate utilization of language access services at WellStar , both in person and over the phone and will perform other related duties incidental to the work described below.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Provide timely and accurate interpretation to patients and facilitate translation requests.

- Ensure that information pertaining to the patients’ outpatient services; hospitalization, (i.e. advance directives, consents from treatment, diagnosis and prognosis, treatment plan, follow-up appointments) and health care education are accurately communicated.

- Maintain confidentiality in all matters related to patient care and visitor issues of non-English speaking patients and families.
- During interpretation, convey the exact message as opposed to summarizing the information in a way that is subjective
- Collaborate with providers as a multi-disciplinary team member to assist with quality improvement measures for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).
- Assist with document translation. Promote customer satisfaction related to WellStar services and promote WellStar’s Cultural Competency Initiative

- Conduct patient rounding along with providers (inpatient and ED)
- Notify supervisor of any issues that may be problematic for LEP patients and families
- Follow-up with patient or patient’s family members to address identified issues/concerns
- Educate WellStar team members regarding cultural issues that may be barriers to care
- Collaborate with Organizational Learning to facilitate implementation of WellStar’s Cultural Competency Initiatives
- Utilize and develop internal resources to enhance knowledge and skills to support excellent customer service standards and performance improvement processes. Participate in continuing education programs and competency training to enhance professional role.

- Maintain language skills and competencies by participating in annual educational trainings, cultural competency trainings and other development opportunities.
- Monitor emerging national policies, research and model practices regarding language access services.
- Ensure familiarity with the following documents: National Council on Interpreting in Health Care Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and national Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards
- Identify self and team learning needs and seek opportunities for ongoing professional improvement. Performs administrative tasks relative to the position

- Maintain accurate and timely documentation on all requests for interpretation services as well as the provision of services.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how to access non-Spanish language assistance, including those for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Mandatory Requirements

- Annual Required Education
- Annual Development (i.e. GAMES, Infection Control, Physical Ed., etc.)

Required Minimum Education:

Some high school High school graduate Required
MUST provide proof of medical interpreter training - minimum of 40 hours Required and
Completion of “Bridging the Gap” medical interpretation training strongly recommended and will receive favorable consideration. Required and
Completion of “Bridging the Gap” training program Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

Additional Licenses and Certifications:

Required Minimum Experience:

Minimum 2 years previous experience as a medical interpreter in a hospital setting Required and
 

Required Minimum Skills:

Superior fluency in English and Spanish both oral and written.
Assessed competencies at 10 or above, as indicated in a language skills competency test administered by an impartial organization.
Must be able to translate English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong medical vocabulary required.