Medical Interpreter -Dari/English - PRN (As Needed)- Washington DC - On site

Children's National Hospital; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's National Hospital seeks a Medical Interpreter to provide language interpretation services to patients and families in critical medical situations. This role involves facilitating communication, ensuring accurate interpretations, and maintaining confidentiality while supporting staff and patients across various services. Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree, have relevant experience, and be bilingual in English/Dari.

Qualifications

• 1 year experience as interpreter in critical situations.
• 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Course Completion.
• Successfully pass the Interpreter Skills Assessment.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication among patients, families, and staff.
• Interpret directly and accurately without omissions.
• Manage assignments independently and maintain professional boundaries.

Skills

Bilingual capability English/Dari

Understanding of medical terminology

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Medical Interpreter will provide language interpretation services to patients, families and staff in critical, acute,

or chronic medical situations as needed. The Medical Interpreter will provide services in person, telephonically or via video remote to assist patients and families in their interactions throughout the hospital.

Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience. (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
1 year Experience as interpreter for individuals in critical situations. (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Successfully pass the Interpreter Skills Assessment, or equivalent, provided by CNH. (Required)

40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Course Completion (must have proof of certificate from a reputable training institution). (Required).

Bilingual capability English/Dari Medical Interpreter
Understands medical terminology.

Functional Accountabilities
Patient Care

• Facilitate communication among patients, families, and staff.

• Interpret directly and accurately, without omissions, addition or interference with communication.

• Manage assignments independently without close supervision; maintain professional role and sensitivity during critical medical and/or psychosocial situations; respect all parties in the discussion and their individual roles.

• Set limits appropriately; maintain professional boundaries as interpreter; maintain patient, family and staff rights to confidentiality privacy.

• Translate quickly and accurately patient-specific discharge instructions, physician and nursing instructions, and care instructions.

Staff Interpretation Services

• Educate staff in use of interpreter and available interpretation services.

• Communicate with staff about staff needs and patient/family needs.

• Set appropriate limits.

• Advocate for patients/families with staff to facilitate continuity of care.

• Assist staff to become increasingly culturally sensitive.

Administrative

• Effectively coordinate and schedule interpretation requests

• Prepare daily schedules for interpretation assignments

• Keeping and organizing interpretation requests and reports

• Accurately document interpretation assignments in all systems and databases used and required by the program
• Perform dispatching duties for the Language Services program as assigned

Organizational Accountabilities
Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)
Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance