Spanish Healthcare Interpreter/Translator - Language Access Services

UT MD Anderson; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 46,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental/Vision/Life/AD&D

PTO & EIB leave

Holidays & leave programs

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Employer paid life/AD&D

Health Savings & FSAs

Fertility benefits

Longevity pay

Wellness programs & ERGs

Job summary

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Language Access Services department seeks a skilled bilingual interpreter to facilitate English–Spanish medical communications. The interpreter will support patient care by translating conversations and written materials, guiding patients to resources while maintaining accuracy and cultural sensitivity.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's degree in a foreign language or related field and at least one year of medical interpretation experience.

Qualifications

• Fluent bilingual English and Spanish with strong verbal and written communication.
• Experience interpreting in a clinical/medical setting.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and culturally sensitive communication.

Responsibilities

• Interpret conversations between patients and staff in English and Spanish.
• Translate written patient-care materials between English and Spanish.
• Maintain logs of interactions and enter data into the department database.
• Maintain glossaries and terminology databases and update language standards for Spanish interpreting.
• Participate in special projects as assigned by management.

Skills

Bilingual English-Spanish

Medical interpretation

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a foreign language or related field

Job description

The Language Access Services department, formerly known as Language Assistance, is an essential resource to facilitate communications between Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients and health care providers.

Our team is composed of professional qualified interpreters specializing in medical interpretation in the languages most often requested at MD Anderson:

• Spanish
• Arabic
• Mandarin

All MD Anderson medical interpreters/translators are screened and qualified by the Language Access Services department and periodically evaluated for proficiency and competency.

Our medical interpreters are involved in direct patient care whenever there is a language barrier. They are the voice of patients and staff. Interpreters will not answer patients' medical questions but rather guide patients to the proper resources. All medical questions should be answered by the appropriate health care provider, and other patient concerns are to be handled by the staff specialized in the issue of concern.

Minimum Salary: $45,500

Midpoint Salary: $57,000

Maximum Salary: $68,500

MD Anderson offers our employees:

• Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
• Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
• Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
• Health Savings Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement flexible spending accounts
• Fertility benefits
• State of Texas longevity pay
• Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled bilingual professional who is fluent in both English and Spanish and demonstrates exceptional verbal and written communication skills. This individual accurately interprets conversations between healthcare staff, patients, and families, ensuring clear, compassionate, and culturally sensitive communication that supports quality patient care.

Job Duties:

Interpretation of discussions between patients and staff between English Spanish. Converts spoken language conversations between staff and patients/families back and forth between English and Spanish.

Translates written materials related to patient care. Converts written documents English Spanish.

Maintains electronic logs of interactions with patients and staff. Enters basic information on interactions into departmental database.

Maintains glossaries, terminology databases, and style guides for the department. Collaborates with Sr Healthcare Interpreters/Translators to update language-specific standards specific to Spanish interpreting, grammar, and writing.

Assists with and contributes to special projects and other duties as assigned. Assists with and contributes to special projects and other duties as assigned by management.

EDUCATION

• Required: Bachelor's Degree In a foreign language or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: 1 year Medical interpretation in a clinical setting or related experience.
• : May substitute required education degree with additional years of related experience on a one to one basis.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html