Medical Interpreter - Chinese, Cantonese and Other Dialects

Job Profile Summary 

​This role focuses on performing activities associated with evaluating, developing, recommending, implementing, and carrying out the policies and procedures related to the delivery of high-quality patient care.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Language Services duties: Listens to, understands, translates and provides support to those individuals with physical or mental impairments when it comes to language, such as speech therapy or speaking a foreign language.  A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs.  The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education.   An experienced level role that applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience.  Works independently with general supervision, problems faced are difficult but typically not complex, and may influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices. 

Job Overview 

Under general supervision, this position provides accurate interpretation for patient/families who have Limited English Proficiency (LEP).  This position interprets the spoken language and culture between two or more individuals from English to the target language and back into English again to ensure accurate cross-language communication in a medical environment. May be required to translate written documents from English into the target language or from the target language into English. Acts as culture broker to identify when cultural differences are leading to a misunderstanding on the part of either the provider or patient. Language services are performed in designated areas according to the policies, procedures, philosophy, and objectives of the department and hospital.  Works cooperatively within department and other services to create a system of quality health care. 

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. High School diploma or equivalent 

2. Medical Interpreter Certification from an accredited college or university OR Certification from a Medical Interpreter training course and successful completion of a third-party medical interpreter competency exam

3. One (1) year of relevant interpreting experience 

4. Bilingual 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. National Certification for Medical Interpreters 

2. Three (3) years of relevant experience. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Interprets the spoken language from English into the target language and from the target language into English for patients, physicians and staff.  

2. Combines the ability to interpret both culture and language.   

3. Participates in family meetings with social workers to assist in completing forms, obtaining financial aid for clients, transferring patients, etc. 

4. Contacts non-English speaking patients to obtain consent signatures, give notification of appointments, and explain procedures, diagnosis, medical history, etc. 

5. May accompany non-English speaking patients to operating room or other departments when presence is needed. May participate in patient/client care conferences.  

6. Translates correspondence, brochures, documents and special diagnostic procedures from English into the target language. 

7. May be required to take on-call requests to be available for emergencies at night and on weekends. 

8. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment 

9. Adhere to applicable policies, procedures as they pertain to patient/client care and to applicable personnel qualifications. 

10. Demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of what to report to the CEO or Chief Compliance Officer when concerns of corporate compliance arise.   

11. Ensures compliance within guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies (DPH, ERISA etc.) and demonstrates compliance with Home Health Foundation policies and procedures. 

12. Practices confidentiality principles set by the agency and federal HIPAA/HITECH guidelines. 

13. Participates in all mandatory in-services 

Physical Requirements:  

1. Prolonged, extensive, or regularly standing/walking. 

2. Regularly lifts and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. 

3. Frequently requires reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, and climbing stairs. 

4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc. 

5. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases and other transmissible infections. 

6. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. 

7. Specific vision abilities apply including close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. 

8. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Skills & Abilities: 

1. Ability to read/write and communicate in both languages.  

2. Ability to provide effective and clear interpretation and communication. 

3. Advanced knowledge in areas of interpreting techniques and medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures and treatments in both English and target language.  

4. High degree of courtesy and tact required in regular contacts with patients and their families involving patient related information of a sensitive and or/confidential nature. 

5. Excellent interpersonal skills. 

6. Ability to function well in very busy situations. 

7. Responsible and reliable. 

8. Good organization skills.