Medical Spanish Interpreter, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is seeking a skilled Interpreter to provide medical and general interpreting for patients, families, physicians and the healthcare team. You will assess patient understanding and act as a cultural mediator in accordance with NCIHC standards.

This role requires at least three years of acute care interpreting, strong English fluency, and the ability to prioritize requests. Excellent communication and documentation are essential as part of the department’s ongoing

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent is required.
• Must hold a medical interpreting certificate per NCIHC standards.
• Minimum three years’ experience in acute care interpreting.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical and general interpreting for patients, families, and staff.
• Screen and prioritize interpreter requests by urgency.
• Maintain documentation of interpretation encounters and productivity.
• Support continuous improvement of interpretation services.

Skills

Fluency in English

Second language

Communication

Customer service

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

The salary range for this position is $23.57 - $35.35 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world‑class care. Here, you’ll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you’ve been, and we support where you’re headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Description

The Interpreter reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine (NM), adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Conducts medical and general interpreting for patients and their families, physicians, and the healthcare team in accordance with the National Standards of Practice of NCIHC designed to facilitate the language needs at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Assesses and monitors patients’ understanding of information conveyed, and serves as a cultural mediator. Records and monitors interpretation activities according to department standards. Makes decisions regarding prioritization of multiple requests received at one time.

Responsibilities

• Medical Interpreting:
  • Provides medical and general interpreting services to patients, family members, support persons and healthcare providers and other staff in accordance with the National Standards of Practice (NCIHC). This includes interpreting during consultations and diagnostic testing; medical procedures and operations; the consent process and educational forums. Ensures that the patient’s and family’s needs are communicated to healthcare providers and staff.
  • Screens multiple requests for interpreters and prioritizes requests based on urgency of need.
  • Assists the healthcare team in problem solving and complaint resolution related to the limited English-Proficient population.
  • Participates in ongoing professional development to maintain practice in accordance with professional medical interpreting standards.
• Communication and Collaboration:
  • Initiates and develops positive relationships with patients, visitors, healthcare providers, fellow interpreters and staff, exhibiting respect, flexibility and cooperation at all times.
  • Serves as a cultural mediator, as necessary and when appropriate, to enhance communication between American culture staff and native culture patients/families, as it relates to medical care.
  • Supports and participates in the continuous assessment and improvement of the interpretation services program.
  • Assists with other departmental functions as assigned
  • Actively participates in staff meetings and mandatory in-services.
• Documentation:
  • Maintains documentation of all interpretation encounters, to include relevant data such as location, duration, and purpose. Documents all interpreting encounters accurately and completely, including patient refusals of interpreting services.
  • Maintains accurate records of productivity, work volumes, and interpreting requests.
• Additional Functions:
  • Proven software competencies (Excel, Word)
  • Adaptable to relevant software necessary for data tracking and trending

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Completion of high school education or equivalent.

Certification

• Must hold a certificate of completion substantiating formal training and qualifications for medical interpreting in accordance with the National Standards of Practice (NCIHC).

Experience

• Minimum of three years’ experience in providing medical interpreting in an acute care setting.

Behavioral Attributes

• High level of fluency in English, and another language, both oral and written.
• Ability to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptive and expressive, using medical terminology as appropriate.
• Ability to maintain professional demeanor in all situations.
• Knowledgeable about the issues of cultural competency and healthcare disparities. Adaptable and sensitive in cross-cultural situations.
• Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.