Medical Interpreter

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

South Brooklyn Health seeks a Medical Interpreter to provide accurate, culturally appropriate interpretation between English and patients with limited English proficiency across clinical and non-clinical encounters.

You will support patient education, discharge planning, and outreach activities while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to HIPAA and interpreter ethics standards. A strong command of Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Hospital Administration, Business Administration or related field or health care specialization.
• Bachelor’s degree or related field with 1 year of related experience in hospital/healthcare.
• Satisfactory equivalent of education, training and/or experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpretation services between English and target language during clinical and non-clinical encounters.
• Interpret accurately during medical consultations, procedures, assessments, admissions, discharge planning, and patient education.
• Assist patients with navigating hospital services and facilitate communication across departments.
• Maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and interpreter ethics standards.
• Document interpretation encounters in logs, EMR, and departmental records.
• Maintain records related to interpretation service utilization and activities.
• Assist with translation/review of patient education materials and administrative documents.
• Provide interpretation support for outreach activities and community engagement.

Skills

Excellent communication

Active listening

Computer skills

Diversity awareness

Stress management

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Spanish fluency

CCHI certification

NBCMI certification

Medical interpreter training

Education

Master’s degree in Public Health

Bachelor’s degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

Word processing

Email

Calendar

Database

Department software

Job description

Marketing Statement

Since 1875, South Brooklyn Health has established its reputation for clinical excellence and culturally competent care. It has designations as a Certified Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an accredited Baby-Friendly Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report high performing hospital. The hospital's staff is as diverse as the patients they serve. Interpreter services can be provided at any time of the day or night in over 130 languages.

Marketing Statement

Since 1875, South Brooklyn Health has established its reputation for clinical excellence and culturally competent care. It has designations as a Certified Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an accredited Baby-Friendly Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report high performing hospital. The hospital's staff is as diverse as the patients they serve. Interpreter services can be provided at any time of the day or night in over 130 languages.

Duties & Responsibilities

Under supervision, with some latitude for independent judgment and initiative. The Medical Interpreter provides accurate, culturally appropriate, and timely communication between healthcare providers and patients with Limited English proficiency (LEP), deaf or hard-of-hearing patients, and their families. Maintaining in-person interpreter services supports patient safety, regulatory compliance, quality of care, and health equity throughout the hospital.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• Provides interpretation services between English and the target language for patients, families, and healthcare staff during clinical and non-clinical encounters.
• Interprets accurately and objectively during medical consultations, procedures, assessments, admissions, discharge planning, patient education, and related healthcare interactions.
• Assists patients with navigating hospital services and facilitates communication between patients and departments throughout the healthcare setting.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information in accordance with hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and interpreter ethics standards.
• Documents interpretation encounters in designated departmental logs, electronic systems, and/or medical records, as required.
• Maintains records and tracking systems related to interpretation service utilization and departmental activities.
• Assists with translation and review of patient education materials, forms, informational brochures, signage, and administrative documents, as needed.
• Provides interpretation support for patient outreach activities, educational seminars, meetings, focus groups, and community engagement initiatives.
• Maintains current knowledge of medical terminology, healthcare procedures, and organizational policies to ensure accurate communication.
• Serves as a liaison between patients and healthcare staff to promote culturally competent communication and enhance the patient experience.
• Responds appropriately to patient concerns and relays information to appropriate personnel when necessary.
• Maintains coverage of assigned work areas and responds to interpretation requests in a timely manner.
• Participates in departmental meetings, in-service trainings, continuing education, and professional development activities to maintain proficiency in medical interpretation.
• Promotes a professional, respectful, and patient-centered environment consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Prepares reports and participates in special studies, conducts research, as necessary, in connection with functional responsibilities.
• Maintain and Troubleshoot Language Access Equipment or Devices
• Assist with administrative duties including but not limited to: answering incoming phone calls, scheduling face-to-face interpreters, dispatching both spoken language and ASL interpreters, processing translation requests, coordinate bilingual staff, etc.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Public Administration, Hospital Administration, Business Administration or in a health care specialization or related discipline;
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in fields, as described in “1” above or in social sciences; and one (1) year of paid, full-time responsible experience in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity performing functions related to the coordination and delivery of patient care services or similar functions in a hospital or a health care setting;
• A satisfactory equivalent of education, training and/or experience.

Department Preferences

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent Listening skills
• Good computer skills including word processing, email, calendar and data base, and departmental specific software.
• Sensitivity to issues of diversity, and demonstrates cultural competence.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals under stress.
• Ability to work collaboratively with managers, faculty and staff throughout the institution.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding highly sensitive issues
• National Certification or MIST (preferred)
• Fluent in Spanish
• CCHI certification (preferred)
• NBCMI certification (preferred)
• Completion of a 40-hour Medical Interpreter training/certification program (e.g., CMI or CHI) preffered