SAH Interpreter

Lifespan; Fall River (MA); On-site; USD 29,811 - 43,601; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization seeks a bilingual Medical Interpreter fluent in Spanish and Portuguese to assist patients and staff at Saint Annes Hospital in Fall River, MA. The role involves conveying medical information accurately across various communication modalities, ensuring patient understanding, and adhering to confidentiality policies. Candidates should have strong linguistic and interpreting skills, with a background in medical interpreting training. A commitment to teamwork and patient care in a fast-paced environment is essential. Compensation ranges from $21.64 to $31.65 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and proficient in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret in consecutive and sight translation modes.
• Strong writing skills in English and target languages.

Responsibilities

• Relay medical information between speakers.
• Reduce linguistic barriers for patients.
• Support office operations, including data entry.

Skills

Strong linguistic skills

Cultural mediation

Interpreting skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Proof of medical interpreter training

Job description

Under the direction of the manager of interpreter services, the incumbent serves as a medical interpreter for patients and staff members and supports the operations of the department in the consecutive, simultaneous or sight translation mode for all patients and family members who are LEP, Deaf, and hard of hearing. For this role two languages are required: Spanish and Portuguese. Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in compliance with all office and hospital policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent, passing performance of competencies listed in the IMIA Standards of Practice, and the Code of Ethics. Understands and abides by all published Standards of Practice and Codes of Ethics for Medical Interpreters. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role‑model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

CORE SUCCESS FACTORS

• Instill Trust and Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in three different modalities: face‑to‑face; telephonic and/or video interpreting.
• Reduces linguistic barriers for patients and family members who are LEP, deaf, or hard of hearing seeking care at Steward Health Care.
• Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers.
• Explains hospital resources, office protocols, and limitations to clinicians and patients; makes appropriate referrals; serves as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes.
• Performs duties in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, adheres to hospital policies on customer relations and hospitality, and understands the hospital’s system of service delivery.
• Supports the office operations by answering the phone, taking requests, calling patients to confirm appointments, documenting encounters on the interpreter tracking system and EMR, performing data entry, verifying and scheduling future appointments when necessary, troubleshooting iPadPOP, filing, and photocopying.
• Utilizes online computer systems such as Outlook and other hospital software; works with special projects as assigned.
• Supports financial counseling process, community outreach events as needed and when requested to do so by the Interpreter Manager.
• Supports review of short translations as directed by manager.
• Supports maintenance and monitoring of interpreter and disability equipment.
• Serves as a resource to staff for patients with disabilities.
• Supports all campuses and Steward off‑sites when required to do so.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong linguistic skills: required languages Spanish and Portuguese; fluency in English and one or more foreign languages, both oral and written.
• Ability to accurately work in consecutive mode and sight translate into and from the working language(s).
• Understands a variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers.
• Selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation.
• Interprets with the highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive and sight translation modes; self‑corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification, and accepts correction.
• Picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification.
• Strong writing skills, preferably in both English and target language(s).
• Understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party about medicine, the encounter, the illness, etc.; uses this understanding to empower patient and provider.
• Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture‑bound messages.
• Avoids generalizations and stereotyping; uses culturally appropriate behavior and chooses the appropriate time to clarify or interject while respecting encounter goals.
• Is aware of own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort; acknowledges these and/or withdraws when necessary.
• Strong interpreting skills and ability to explain the role of the interpreter to patient and provider; sets tone of the patient/provider encounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication.
• Assesses and addresses potential areas of discomfort for patient (e.g., age, gender of interpreter, no previous experience with interpreters).
• Encourages and fosters direct communication between provider and patient; maintains professional distance and integrity; diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial.
• Clarifies instructions and follow‑up steps in a diplomatic, effective manner.
• Understands and abides by hospital policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non‑discrimination, and the interpreter code of ethics and standards of practice.
• Projects a positive attitude about the department and the hospital, offering services to ensure a positive experience.
• Works as a team with colleagues and providers; addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter; encourages provider to make appropriate referral and/or assists with appointment booking as needed.
• Works well under pressure to manage stressful situations; is flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle unpredictable changes; produces expected quality and quantity of work; demonstrates sound judgment and confidence; handles multiple tasks; is detail‑oriented and accurate.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred. • Proof of medical interpreter training – minimum of 40 hours. • National Board Certification for spoken language interpreters (see www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org) preferred within 6 months of target language test availability.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Fast‑paced clinical and office environment, frequently changing priorities.
• Physically demanding with a lot of walking and standing time.
• Flexibility required to adjust schedule and patient demands.
• Emotionally challenging; some interactions may be highly stressful requiring maturity, composure, critical thinking, and sound judgment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Stand / walk; use hands to finger, feel, reach with hands and arms, climb, or balance; talk or hear – 75% or more.
• Infectious / contagious diseases – 50‑75%.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; lift up to 25 lbs; outdoor weather conditions; extreme cold (non‑weather); risk of radiation; blood‑borne pathogens; flammable, explosive gases; toxic or caustic chemicals; dust or other irritants; infections from disease‑bearing specimens; cleaning agents / chemicals; hot or noisy equipment; humid or wet conditions (non‑weather) – 25‑50%.

VISION REQUIREMENTS

• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT USED

• Face shields, surgical mask and gown, gloves, boots.

PAY RANGE

21.64 – 31.65 per hour

BROWN UNIVERSITY HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND MAINTAINING A WORK ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM ALL FORMS OF UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT.

LOCATION

Saint Annes Hospital - 795 Middle Street Fall River, Massachusetts 02721

WORK TYPE

24 hours per week, Sunday rotation

WORK SHIFT

Day

DRIVING REQUIRED

Yes

UNION

1199 Seiu United Healthcare Workers East