Communications Specialist (Portuguese Interpreter)

capecodhc; Hyannis (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Cape Cod Healthcare is seeking a Medical Interpreter to support patients and staff across clinical settings. The interpreter provides consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation, enabling accurate exchanges in person, by phone, or via video.

Under the manager's direction, you will relay medical information, maintain confidentiality, and help with training and scheduling interpreter services to ensure clear, compassionate communication for linguistically diverse patients.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Medical Interpreter course required, with minimum 60 hours or national certification per language.
• Preference for two years of college and completion of a Medical Interpreting program.
• Fluency in English and at least one other language; ACTFL Advanced-Mid level preferred.
• Proficiency in consecutive and sight translation; ability to use interpretation modes accurately.

Responsibilities

• Provide consecutive interpretation face to face, over the phone, and by video in clinical settings.
• Relay medical information while maintaining confidentiality and informed consent.
• Assist with interpreter internships and staff training.
• Schedule and coordinate interpreter services and translation needs.
• Act as liaison between staff and patients and support department operations.
• Assist with marketing and community outreach related to interpretation services.
• Ensure accurate translation/editing of written documents when needed.
• Operate using Outlook and hospital software systems.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Teamwork

Customer service

Cultural sensitivity

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Medical Interpreter course

Two years of college (preferred)

National Certification (preferred)

Medical Interpreting program (college level)

Tools

Outlook

Hospital software

Job description

1. Under the direction of the manager, the incumbent serves as a medical interpreter for patients and staff and supports the operations of the department, in the consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation modes.
2. Provides consecutive interpretation face to face, over the phone, and by video in all clinical settings, in line with national interpreter standards of practice and code of ethics.
3. 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 and NCIHC Standards of Practice, and the Code of Ethics.
4. Assists department with on-the-job training and mentoring of interpreter internships.
5. Responds and schedules requests for interpreters and effective communications services.
6. Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers.
7. Provides interpreting services between patients and clinicians during in-person and tele-interpreting, both written and orally.
8. Acts as a liaison between staff and patients within Cape Cod Healthcare entities.
9. Ability to accurately translate and edit written documents for all facilities. Strong writing skills and understanding of translation process
10. Arranges for interpreter services for patients and assists with the coordination of translation needs, as necessary, including the use of the language lines and video units.
11. Assists with marketing and community outreach activities.
12. Selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation. Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation modes.
13. Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction
14. Picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification
15. 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.
16. Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages.
17. Avoids generalizations and stereotyping.
18. Projects positive attitude about the department and the hospital, and offers services to ensure positive experience.
19. Works as a team with colleagues and providers
20. 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
21. Organizational skills: - works well under pressure to manage stressful situations - flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes - sound judgment and confidence - ability to handle multiple tasks - detail-oriented and accurate
22. Educates, trains, supports and orients new and current staff for all Cape Cod Healthcare entities.
23. Compiles information and prepare reports regarding patient, visitors, families and employee interpreter encounters.
24. Maintain a strict adherence to patient’s rights, community services and CCHC policies, especially confidentiality issues.
25. Support the office operations by answering the phone, taking requests, calling patients to confirm appointments, document encounters on the interpreter tracking system, do data entry, verify and schedule future appointments when necessary, do general troubleshooting, filing and photocopying.
26. Utilize on-line computer systems such as Outlook, and other hospital software.
27. Work with special projects as assigned.
28. articipates in diversity program implementation and design as directed by management.
29. Perform other work-related duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED plus a minimum of one year basic technical training.
• (Preferred) Twoyears of college
• (Preferred) Oneor moreyearsexperienceas amedical interpreter in a healthcare setting, where interpreting was a primary function of the job.
• Medical Interpreter course required. Must have proof of successfully completedminimum60 hoursMedical Interpreter Courseor National Certification per language.
• (Preferred) Completion of a Medical Interpreting program offered at a college level
• (Preferred)National Certification(e.g. NBCMI, CCHI, NCIHC)
• Fluency in English and one or more foreign languages, both oral and written, with a minimum of AdvancedMid proficiency level according to ACTFL - http://www.actfl.org/files/public/Guidelinesspeak.pdfpreferred
• Ability to accurately work in consecutive mode and sight translate into and from working language(s).
• Must speakboth fluent English andanyone or more of the following languages: Portuguese, Spanish, or Hattian Creole.
• Trilingual candidates preferred.
• Valid USDriver'sLicense. May be required to drive to various CCHC locations.
• Proficient computer skills required.
• Translator Course preferred.
• High level of customer service and a positive approach. Good interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills
• Familiarity and ability to work with diversity of cultural/socio-economic background.
• General knowledge of cultural backgrounds of patients to be served
• Must pass the CCHC Medical Interpreters testorthird-party Medical Interpreter Exam.