Interpreter Specialist

University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC); Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC) seeks a professional medical interpreter to provide accurate language access across departments in a busy academic medical center in Las Vegas. The role includes simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation for patients and staff, ensuring clear communication in high-stakes clinical encounters.

Requirements include completion of an accredited interpreter program, 1+ year in medical interpreting, and certification within six months (CMI or

Qualifications

• Graduation or certification from an accredited school of interpretation or training program.
• 1+ year experience as a Spanish interpreter in a medical setting.
• 1+ year experience in a hospital setting.
• Must obtain CMI or CCHI certification within six months of hire.
• Completion of the Bridging The Gap (BTG) Professional medical Interpreter Training.
• Professional level experience is defined as being employed in an FLSA exempt/salaried status position.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional level interpretation for assigned departments to include simultaneous, consecutive modes of interpretation and sight translations.
• May provide general, routine interpretation in clinical and/or ancillary areas.

Skills

Spanish interpreter

Medical interpreting

Education

Interpreter training

CMI Certification

CCHI Certification

BTG Training

Job description

Position Summary

EMPLOYER-PAID PENSION PLAN (NEVADA PERS)

Competitive Salary & Benefitspackage

As an academic medical center with a rich history of providing life‑saving treatment in Southern Nevada, UMC serves as the anchor hospital of the Las Vegas Medical District, offering Nevada’s highest level of care to promote successful medical outcomes for patients.

UMC is home to Nevada's ONLY Nonprofit Level I Trauma Center, Verified Burn Center, and Multi–Organ Transplant Center. In 2026, we became the FIRST and ONLY Magnet-Recognized hospital in the state, reflecting UMC’s nursing professionalism, teamwork, and superiority in patient care.

Position Summary

Performs professional level interpretation for assigned departments to include simultaneous, consecutive modes of interpretation and sight translations. May provide general, routine interpretation in clinical and/or ancillary areas.

Job Requirement

Education/Experience

Graduation or certification from an accredited school of interpretation or training program. One year experience as an interpreter in a medical setting.

Professional level experience is defined as being employed in an FLSA exempt/salaried status position.

Licensing/Certification Requirements

National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (CMI) or The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI), must obtain certification within six (6) months of hire. Failure to obtain and/or maintain certification will result in termination of employment.

Additional Position Requirements

Additional Requirement

• 1+ years of experience as a Spanish Interpreter.
• 1+ year of experience in a hospital setting.
• Completion of the Bridging The Gap (BTG) Professional medical Interpreter Training.

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Physical Requirements

modes of interpretation (consecutive, simultaneous, first or third person, sight translation); medical, anatomy and physiology terminology and other technical terms related to the assigned area in both English and the target language; linguistic registers and styles spoken within the designated language groups; interpreter code of ethics; rules of cultural etiquette and/or institutional norms; Title VI federal law as it relates to LEP patients; federal, state and regulatory statutes related to non‑discrimination and the provision of interpreter services to LEP patients; customer service principles and practices; personal computers; department and hospital safety practice and procedures; patient rights; age specific patient care practices; infection control policies and practices; handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials; department and hospital emergency response policies and procedures.

Skill In

accurately and completely transmitting information between patient and provider; effective use of mnemonic devices to aid retention of information; the use of simultaneous and consecutive modes of interpretation and sight translation and the ability to transition from one mode to another with ease; establishing the interpreter's role, providing clear and well‑paced communication; adjusting to the demands of the situation; maintaining the linguistic register and style of the speaker; managing spatial configuration to maximize communication; remaining calm in high stress, emergent or emotionally difficult situations; verifying and ensuring understanding of the message to be transmitted; identifying and correcting own mistakes; using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines; accurately translating non-clinical hospital documents; coordinating staff schedules to cover work flow; assigning and monitoring the work of others; evaluating quality control; writing clear and concise reports; delivering effective training; problem solving; using computers and related software applications; communicating with a wide variety of people from diverse socio‑economic and ethnic backgrounds; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all personnel contacted in the course of duties; efficient, effective and safe use of equipment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this classification.