American Sign Language Interpreter II (PRN)

MedStar Health; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 48,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health is seeking an Interpreter to provide medical interpretation and coordination for Deaf and hard of hearing patients with additional disabilities, across inpatient and outpatient settings.

The role emphasizes language access, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration with medical teams to ensure high-quality care. Training and after-hours on-call participation are included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• 7-10 years interpreting with National Certification preferred; may substitute for degree.
• 3-4 years interpreting experience, preferably medical interpreting.
• NIC/NAD RID or BEI certifications required or equivalent.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate medical interpretation between providers and Deaf and hard of hearing patients and families.
• Assess cultural factors and refer issues to appropriate services or management.
• Collaborate with manager to develop interpreter reports and patient profiles for continuity of service.
• Maintain confidentiality of interpreted conversations and written documents.
• Provide staff training on standard practices and cultural insights.
• Perform administrative tasks and assist with intern mentoring.
• Participate in rotating after-hours on-call program.

Skills

Medical interpretation

Cultural sensitivity

Communication

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

TEAMS

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

7-10 years interpreting experience

National Certification for medical interpreting

RID/NAD BEI certifications

Tools

N/A

Job description

About the Job

Provides medical interpretation and coordination for Deaf Hard of Hearing Deaf with additional Disabilities non-verbal neurodivergent ASL users Deaf Low Vision and DeafBlind [tactile/ pro-tactile] patients and families. Identifies and triages needs and issues to ensure language access and cultural sensitivity; provides appropriate care for these patients and families in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides accurate and unbiased medical interpretations to facilitate and assure culturally appropriate clear understanding and direct communication between MedStar Health providers and Deaf Hard of Hearing Deaf with additional Disabilities non-verbal neurodivergent ASL users Deaf Low Vision and DeafBlind [tactile/ pro-tactile] patients and families/support person(s).
• Provides a cultural interface and assessment of Deaf Hard of Hearing Deaf with additional Disabilities non-verbal neurodivergent ASL users Deaf Low Vision and DeafBlind [tactile/ pro-tactile] patients and families to alert and refer issues and concerns appropriately to management patient advocates the medical team or supporting services that may be related to differences in cultural practices views or beliefs and that may impact care or place the patient provider or institution at risk.
• Works collaboratively with manager to develop systems interpreter reports patient profiles and notes on cases in progress to ensure effective hand-off and continuity of service in the event of absence or uses of vendor interpreter.
• Maintains the strict confidentiality of all interpreted conversations and written documents concerning the patient's medical condition and treatment.
• Maintains the highest level of professionalism correctness and neutrality in providing language interpretation services to MedStar Health patients. Adheres to the National Association for the Deaf and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct.
• Provides training and in-services to hospital staff and departments on Standard Practices and Cultural insights.
• May also:
• Performs a variety of administrative and clerical tasks including but not limited to answering phones triaging and dispatching interpreters entering appointments in the department schedule scheduling interpreters collaborating with vendors collaborating with counterparts in the department etc.
• Supports team process for interviewing screening selection and mentoring interns. They will participate in providing internship assessments for the ASL interpreting students.
• Participates in rotating after hours on-call program.

Minimal Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree or higher required
• 7 - 10 years of interpreting with National Certification preferably medical interpreting may be substituted for the degree requirement.

Experience

• 3-4 years interpreting preferably medical interpreting required

Licenses and Certifications

• NIC-National Interpreter Certification (through RID-Registry for Interpreters for the Deaf) required or
• CT/CI-Certificate of Interpreters/Certificate of Translation required or
• BEI-Board Evaluation of Interpreters-Medical Certificate required or
• BEI-Board Evaluation of Interpreters-Advanced Certificate required or
• BEI-Board Evaluation of Interpreters-Masters Certificate required or
• NAD-National Association of Deaf-Level IV or V required

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to identify and address obstacles to high-quality patient care and satisfaction; diffuse stressful situations; and to work in multi-culturally diverse environment
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Well-developed listening interpretative and conciliation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word Excel Outlook and TEAMs

This position has a hiring range of USD $34.54 - USD $65.34 /Hr.