Spanish Medical Interpreter

Caring Health Center, Inc.; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Caring Health Center, Inc. in Springfield, MA seeks a Spanish Medical Interpreter to support the Interpreter Services department.

This full-time, on-site role requires precise interpretation across medical encounters and accurate translation of written materials. The ideal candidate holds at least an Associate's degree or high school diploma with fluency in English and Spanish, medical interpretation training, and strong report-writing skills to document patient encounters.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree or High School Diploma or equivalent background and experience.
• Complete fluency in English and the target language (Spanish).
• Experience in a broad medical field or completion of a medical interpreter training program.
• Strong writing skills and ability to prepare effective reports.

Responsibilities

• Interpret with accuracy in verbal interpretation, sight translation, and written translation.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional conduct in all patient interactions.
• Explain the interpreter role to patients and providers and facilitate direct communication when possible.
• Advise on cultural considerations and intervene when language barriers impede care.

Skills

Fluency in English

Fluency in Spanish

Medical interpretation

Report writing

Education

Associate degree

High School diploma

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Spanish Medical Interpreter Job Category: Healthcare Support Requisition

Number: SPANI001149 Full-Time On-site Springfield, MA 01103, USA

Salary/Status: Non-Exempt Department: Interpreter Services Hours: 40 hrs

a week Minimum Requirements: Associates Degree or High School Diploma or

equivalent background and experience. Complete fluency in English and

the target language. Experience either in a broad medical field or

completion of a medical Interpreter training program. High level of oral

and written communication skills in target language and English; ability

to prepare effective reports. Ability to make effective presentations to

large groups of people. Must possess the ability of positively interact

with patients, staff personnel, visitors and the general public. Must

show discretion in the handling of confidential information. Must

possess the ability to work independently, problem solve and make

sensible decisions for the well-being of the patient. Strong

organizational skills Ability to use a computer to track patient flow,

word process and schedule patients. Friendly, reliable, and professional

both in behavior and appearance. Ability to establish and maintain

effective working relationships with other employees, individuals

seeking assistance and the general public. Principle Responsibilities

and Duties: Understand a variety of regional accents and linguistic

styles for target language. Select appropriate mode of interpretation

for each situation. Interpret with highest degree of accuracy and

completeness in verbal interpretation, sight interpretation modes and

written translation. Self-correct, understand own linguistic

limitations, seeks clarification and accepts corrections. Pick up cues

from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need

for clarification. Strong writing skill and understanding of translation

process. Cultural awareness: Understand 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 to better understand each other. Intervene

as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by

culture-bound messages. Avoid generalizations and stereotyping. Use

culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time

to clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter. Be

aware of own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics which

may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations, is able

to acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may

Interfere With Successful Interpretation. Strong Interpreting Skills

Explain role of the interpreter to patient, providers and other medical

staff. Recognize the complexity of the clinical encounter and added

factor of linguistic barrier. Set a tone of the patient and provider

encounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication to

preserve accuracy and completeness, and to assess and address potential

areas of discomfort for patient. Encourages and fosters direct

communication between provider and patient. Maintain professional

distance and integrity. Diffuse conflict between parties by remaining

calm and impartial. Clarify instructions; follow up steps in a

diplomatic and effective manner. Ethical: Understand and abide by health

center\'s policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent,

non-discrimination and by interpreter\'s code of ethics and standards of

practice. Advocacy: Address concerns raised during or after an encounter

by encouraging involved parties to make appropriate referrals to patient

navigators or inform managers to address the matter. SEE THE CARING

HEALTH CENTER WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION