Foreign Language Interpreter - Spanish

UVA Health; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

UVA Health seeks a Spanish Medical Interpreter to ensure patients with limited English proficiency understand their care and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their health. The role spans inpatient and outpatient encounters, across multiple specialties, with options for in-person or telemedicine interpretation.

Successful candidates will have a 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program, strong Spanish and English fluency, and working knowledge of medical terminology.

Qualifications

• Completion of a 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program.
• Fluent Spanish and English.
• Working knowledge of healthcare terminology.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional Spanish interpretation for inpatient and outpatient encounters.
• Interpret medications, diagnoses, procedures, and discharge instructions with accuracy and neutrality.
• Support patient education across clinical specialties.
• Assist with goals of care and end-of-life discussions.
• Travel between UVA locations; manage a typical schedule of 8–11 appointments per day.

Job description

Make every word count when patients and families are navigating complex, deeply personal healthcare decisions. As a Spanish Medical Interpreter with UVA Health, you will help ensure that patients with limited English proficiency can understand their care, communicate their needs, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their health. This position offers experienced medical interpreters the opportunity to work across an academic health system and support encounters spanning virtually every medical specialty. You will bring linguistic accuracy, cultural awareness, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to interpreter ethics and patient advocacy.

The Role

As part of Interpreter Services, you will facilitate accurate, complete, and culturally responsive communication among Spanish-speaking patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Your work may range from routine outpatient visits and patient education to complex conversations involving treatment options, goals of care, transplantation, and end-of-life decisions. Interpreters rotate among UVA Health locations and specialties, creating a varied workday that requires adaptability, discretion, and command of medical terminology. Services are delivered both in person and through telemedicine. In This Role, You Will Provide professional Spanish interpretation for inpatient and outpatient encounters. Interpret medications, diagnoses, procedures, treatment plans, and discharge or follow-up instructions with accuracy and neutrality. Support sensitive conversations, including goals-of-care and end-of-life discussions. Facilitate patient and family education across a wide range of clinical specialties. Participate in education sessions for heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplant programs. Help clinical teams recognize and navigate relevant linguistic, cultural, and dialect differences. Advocate for clear communication while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality. Travel among University Hospital, Fontaine, Northridge, Moser, the Battle Building, and other UVA-associated clinical locations. Manage a typical schedule of approximately 8 to 11 appointments per day, with higher volumes possible in busy clinics such as Prenatal Services. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, with shifts of either 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 5:0 0 p.m. There are no routine weekends or after-hours requirements. Team members may voluntarily join a callback list for evening or weekend Spanish interpretation needs.

Successful candidates will bring prior medical interpretation experience, completion of a 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program, strong Spanish and English fluency, and working knowledge of healthcare terminology and procedures. National medical interpreter certification is preferred. Candidates who are not yet certified must be eligible to obtain certification within one year.

Why UVA Health

At UVA Health, medical interpreters are essential members