Interpreter II

HonorHealth; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

HonorHealth in Phoenix seeks an Interpreter II to facilitate communication between medical staff and patients with limited English proficiency across multiple hospital settings. The role requires assessing patient understanding, providing accurate interpretation, and applying cultural factors to support clear, compassionate care.

The position is PRN with evenings and weekends in the Language and Cultural Services department.

Qualifications

• ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation skills required.
• 1 year medical interpretation experience in hospital/acute care setting preferred.
• Certified Healthcare Interpreter or equivalent training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates communication between medical staff and patients with limited English proficiency.
• Interprets both receptively and expressively using medical vocabulary and cultural context.
• Tracks time spent interpreting and documents encounters in the department system.

Skills

ASL interpretation

Bilingual communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Primary City/State:

Deer Valley - 19829 N 27th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85027

Category:

Patient Services

Shift:

Evening

Department:

Language and Cultural Services

Multiple Locations: Deer Valley, John C. Lincoln, Shea & Osborn Medical Centers

Varied Hours | Primarily Evenings & Weekends

PRN (As Needed)

Great care starts with great people. (Like you.)

At HonorHealth, you'll find something special. From humble beginnings in 1927 to one of Arizona's largest nonprofit healthcare systems, our culture is built on warmth and neighborly kindness. Behind every smile is a highly skilled professional with deep expertise and an unwavering dedication to what matters most - caring for the health and well-being of people and communities across the greater Phoenix area.

Responsibilities:

JOB SUMMARY

The Interpreter II facilitates communication between the medical/non-medical personnel and patients/patients' families with limited English proficiency to identify needs/concerns relative to the hospital experience. The Interpreter II will assess and monitor patients' understanding of information conveyed to ensure that the provider fully understands patient's history and condition, and the patient understands all aspects of the diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis. In addition, the Interpreter II will interpret both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary and assist the staff in understanding cultural factors that impact diagnosis and treatment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Receives and processes requests for interpretation services and coordinates appropriate coverage. Provides interpretation services face to face or via telephonic conference calls for individual patient interactions in a variety of patient care settings. Answers, screens, and prioritizes incoming requests; assists caller or directs caller to appropriate person or department. Maintains confidentiality of information at all times. Provides courteous, proper and prompt information and assistance to all appropriate hospital departments and outside agencies.
• Responds to customer requests with a high level of professionalism on the telephone or pager. Ensures proper communication and timely information to the provider on the interpreter's status or estimated wait time.
• Makes rounds (department specific visits to patients) to identify patients' needs. Monitors the status of interpreting encounters. Verifies locations, department extension, medical providers name and nature of the request to help prioritize the call.
• Explains medical procedures to patients and obtains necessary medical information needed to perform exams/procedures. Provides bilingual assistance via telephone for any patient or customer upon request, for example, calls directed to the department by PBX, Patient Dining and/or Service Center, etc. Listens to patient/family concerns and refers them appropriately. Responds, identifies, mediates, and resolves potential and actual conflicts between patient/family members and the hospital. Conveys empathy for the situation and confidence to the patient. Resolves problems by easing patient's stress without jeopardizing the medical and hospital staff relationship.
• Tracks and documents the time spent interpreting, as well as recording other pertinent information in EPIC and/or department database.
• Maintains proficiency of interpretation standards through on-going educational programs, workshops, training, etc. Keeps abreast of changes, improvements, advances, and the medical field, procedures, medications and its equivalent terminology in the target language.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Language and Cultural Services leadership.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or GED Required

EXPERIENCE

• Other Must pass oral and written examination. ASL (American Sign Language) candidates will be tested in person or via video. Required
• 1 year medical interpretation experience in a hospital or acute care setting. Preferred

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Healthcare Interpreter - Certification Medical Interpreter Certification from an accredited institution, or equivalent 60-hour interpreter training program Required
• ASL - RID or BEI certification Preferred

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