Spanish Medical Interpreter

UnityPoint Health; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

UnityPoint Health is seeking a Bilingual Spanish Medical Interpreter to facilitate accurate interpretation for patients, families, and healthcare teams across in-person, video, and phone encounters in inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and procedural settings. Must have High School diploma, with preference for a healthcare-related Bachelor's and a 40-hour Medical Interpretation course.

Minimum one year of interpretation experience; CCHI within 6 months and CPXP within 2 years.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• CCHI certification required within 6 months of hire.
• CPXP certification required within 2 years of hire.
• 1 year of professional medical interpretation experience preferred.
• Ability to pass a medical interpreting assessment prior to hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time interpretation between patients, families and healthcare providers.
• Accurately convey information without summarizing or omitting meaning.
• Interpret in clinics, hospitals, emergency departments, and virtual visits.
• Maintain confidentiality and neutrality at all times.
• Assist with informed consent and interpreting during sensitive encounters.
• Translate written documents as needed.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

Medical interpretation

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration or related field

40-Hour Medical Interpretation course

Job description

Overview

Bilingual Spanish Medical Interpreter | Every Conversation Matters

The Medical Interpreter provides accurate, complete, and culturally responsive interpretation services for patients, families, and healthcare providers. This includes in-person, video, and phone-based encounters across inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and procedural environments. This role facilitates effective communication between individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and care teams, supporting understanding of diagnoses, treatments, patient rights, discharge instructions, and other critical health information. This position ensures all interactions are confidential, impartial, and aligned with UnityPoint Health’s commitment to providing exceptional experiences.

Schedule: 6am-3pm

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Interpretation Services:

• Provide real-time interpretation between patients, families and healthcare providers
• Accurately convey information without summarizing, omitting or altering meaning
• Interpret in various care settings, including clinics, hospitals, emergency departments and virtual visits
• Maintain confidentiality and neutrality at all times
• Assist with obtaining informed consent and interpreting during sensitive or complex care encounters

Cultural Support & Advocacy:

• Support culturally appropriate care by identifying and helping address cultural misunderstandings
• Provide context when cultural norms may influence communication or health decision-making
• Educate patients and families about their rights, services available and how to navigate the healthcare system

Documentation & Scheduling:

• Accurately document interpretation encounters
• Assist with scheduling interpreter services as needed
• Maintain vendor equipment for language and accessibility services
• Translate written documents

Professional Development & Compliance:

• Participate in trainings, continuing education, patient experience initiatives and interpreter quality improvement activities
• Stay current on medical terminology, healthcare topics and industry best practices
• Support training and orientation of team members

Qualifications

Education:

High School diploma or equivalent required.

Bachelors degree in Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Nursing, Communiation or related field preferred.

Completion of a 40-Hour Medical Interpretation course preferred.

Experience:

1 year of experience as a professional medical interpreter in a clinical or hospital setting preferred.

1 year of experience in healthcare customer service, patient experience or a bilingual communication role preferred.

License(s)/Certification(s):

Ability to successfully pass a medical interpreting assessment prior to date of hire.

Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI) certification required within 6 months of hire.

Certified Patient Experience Professional (CPXP) certification required within 2 years of hire.

Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons