Interpreter for American Sign Language (ASL)

Beth Israel Lahey Health; Burlington (MA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Beth Israel Lahey Health is seeking an Interpreter Services professional to support deaf and hard of hearing patients across hospital sites in Burlington, MA. You will interpret in care settings, assist with scheduling, and educate staff on cross-cultural communication.

Required qualifications include a Master’s in Deaf Education and national/interpreter certifications; prior healthcare interpretation experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Deaf Education (required).
• National Certification for Deaf Interpreters and a Health Care Interpreter Training Certificate are expected.
• Experience in interpretation/translation in healthcare is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology and ethics for interpreters.

Responsibilities

• Interpret for deaf and hard of hearing patients and families in interactions with care providers.
• Assist patients with scheduling appointments and resolving billing issues.
• Schedule future appointments to maximize coverage and minimize external costs.
• Educate staff on working with interpreters and cross-cultural communication.

Skills

Bilingual communication

ASL Proficiency

Medical terminology

Ethics & Standards

Interpreting types

Documentation skills

Education

Master’s in Deaf Education

National Certification for Deaf Interpreters

Health Care Interpreter Training Certificate

Job description

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor of Interpreter Services and within established hospital, clinic and departmental policies and procedures, performs patient interpreting and scheduling functions for patients in a variety of healthcare setting as determined by business needs. Interprets for deaf and hard of hearing patients and families in their interactions with care providers and other hospital personnel at all Lahey Hospital and Medical Center Sites.

Job Description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Interprets for deaf patients in their interactions with care providers and other hospital personnel
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments, resolving billing problems and other related matters
• Schedule patients future appointments according to interpreter availability, strongly striving to cover all appointments at Lahey to avoid further expenses from the agency and therefore for the department.
• Identifies, assesses and facilitates understanding of cultural differences impacting communication.
• Participates in Community Outreach events to represent Interpreter Services and Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
• Reviews, documents and schedules interpreter requests for languages not served by program staff, as requested by the supervisor. On a rotation basis, reviews and records requests received by electronic mail, telephone and voice mail and contacts appropriate free‑lance personnel or Agency to arrange needed services.
• Prepares, routes and files related forms, reports and documentation.
• Provides education and training to hospital staff on subjects such as working effectively with an interpreter and cross cultural communication. Assists in development, preparation and presentation of training materials.
• Maintains computerized records of daily activities, including diary of daily patient transactions, statistics and details of encounters.
• Works as a team with other interpreter and other department’s colleagues, assisting in planning work and developing methods for improving service delivery systems.
• Orients, trains and supervises in training interpreters or volunteer candidates.
• Maintains professional competency through participation in professional organizations, attendance at conferences, seminars and other continuing education programs and through independent study yearly.
• Provides education to clinics and other sites on how to better serve our ASL population to be on compliance with ADA requirements.
• Interprets tactile for the deaf/blind population of patients who come to Burlington and Peabody.

Mission Statement

Lahey Clinic, as one of the world’s premier health care organizations, will:

• Provide superior health care leading to the best possible outcome for every patient;
• Exceed each day our patients’ high expectations for service;
• Advance medicine through research and the education of tomorrow’s health care leaders.
• Goals: To care for our patients: With compassion and openness; with unsurpassed expertise; with a drive for continuous learning and improvement; with respect, caring, teamwork, excellence and commitment to personal best.

Organizational Requirements

• Maintain strict adherence to the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center Confidentiality policy.
• Incorporate Lahey Hospital and Medical Center Standards of Behavior and Guiding Principles into daily activities
• Comply with all Lahey Hospital and Medical Center Policies.
• Comply with behavioral expectations of the department and Lahey Hospital and Medical Center.
• Maintain courteous and effective interactions with colleagues and patients.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment.
• Demonstrate a commitment toward meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers and consistently adheres to Customer Service standards.
• Participate in departmental and/or interdepartmental quality improvement activities.
• Participate in and successfully completes Mandatory Education.
• Perform all other duties as needed or directed to meet the needs of the department.

Education

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Deaf Education

Licensure, Certification & Registration

• National Certification for Deaf Interpreters
• Health Care Interpreter Training Certificate

Experience

Experience in interpretation and translation in a healthcare setting preferred. Experience working in the Deaf Community

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Proficiency in oral and written in both, target and source languages. Excellent communication and extensive knowledge of medical terminology. Knowledge of healthcare policies, interpreters Standard of Practice and Ethics. Consecutive, simultaneous and sight interpreting. Medical translation. Ability to keep data collection and to maintain formal documentation systems. Enthusiastic and high sense of team work.

Pay Range

$45.00 - $81.73

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled