Medical Interpreter Spanish

Advocate Health; Park Ridge (IL); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health seeks a skilled Medical Interpreter (Spanish/English) with at least 40 hours of medical interpreting training. The role supports patients, families and the health care team with confidential, accurate interpretation across clinical settings.

The candidate will collaborate with physicians, nurses and social services, documenting interpretations and participating in 24/7 on-call operations. Travel within the facility and surrounding area may be required.

Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish and English with medical interpreting experience.
• Completion of an accredited medical interpreting program.
• Ability to document activities and chart in patient records.
• Willingness to work in a 24/7 environment with on-call responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provides interpretation for patients, families and the health care team, maintaining confidentiality.
• Encourages clear communication so the listener understands the message.
• Collaborates with social services, behavioral health, financial counseling and chaplaincy for referrals and patient needs.
• Documents work activity certifications and interpretations in patient medical records.
• Facilitates follow-up appointments, referrals, transportation issues, insurance processes and informed consents.
• Adheres to federal, state and local laws governing medical interpreting.
• Demonstrates age-appropriate care, considering growth and development across the life span.

Skills

Spanish/English bilingual

Medical terminology

Ethics in health care interpreting

Communication skills

Cultural competence

Video interpreting

Basic computer skills

Education

Advanced training in medical interpreting

CMI certification (within 1 year)

Tools

Video interpreting tools

Job description

Skilled Medical Interpreter Spanish/English with a minimum of 40 hours training in medical interpreting. Prefer candidate is within 30 miles of job location.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides interpretation for patients, families and their health care team in a manner that promotes confidentiality at a professional distance within the given linguistic/cultural context for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social workers, financial counselors and chaplains in all clinical settings. Provides interpretation in cases of life support withdrawal, fetal demise and major cases in emergency medicine.

• Encourages communication between patient and health care team to build rapport and ensures that the listener understands the message.

• Functions in a collaborative relationship with social services, behavioral health, financial counseling, and chaplaincy, including advanced directives, psychiatric evaluation and issues of homelessness, domestic violence and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA).

• Responsible for daily documentation of work activity certification on official departmental logs and charting interpretation in patient medical record.

• May also be called upon to facilitate the following: follow-up appointments, assist with appropriate referrals, transportation issues, insurance/payment process, informed consents, and site translations.

• Adheres to all federal. state and local laws and regulations governing the practice of medical interpreting in healthcare.

• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Medical Interpreter (CMI) certification issued by The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters needs to be obtained within 1 year.

Education Required:

• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Must be bilingual in target language and English with proven linguistic abilities in medical interpreting.

• Possesses professional command of bilingual medical terminology; anatomy, physiology, diagnostic process, treatment, prevention and health education models.

• Competent to interpret for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social workers, chaplains, and financial counselors in all health care settings.

• Possesses knowledge concerning the ethics of medical interpreting as outlined by the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC).

• Possesses an understanding of the cultural aspects of the medical community as well as the cultural identity of patients of limited English proficiency.

• Ability to work in challenging situation involving issues of delivering difficult messages including death and dying.

• Excellent human relations and communication skills.

• Basic computer skills.

• Ability to utilize video interpreting techniques.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• May be exposed to human blood or body fluid.

• Must have ability to wear protective clothing as situation dictates.

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

• Must work in 24/7 environment with on-call responsibility.

• Position requires travel; may be exposed to road and weather hazards.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.