Spanish Medical Interpreter

Caringhealth; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 26,491 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

Caring Health Center in Springfield, MA is seeking a qualified Medical Interpreter to support English and the target language in clinical encounters. The role requires strong communication, cultural sensitivity and the ability to interpret across verbal, sight, and written modes.

The ideal candidate has an Associate's degree or higher, fluency in both languages, experience in a medical setting or interpreter training, and the discretion to handle confidential information while maintaining

Qualifications

• Fluently bilingual in English and target language with ability to interpret accurately.
• Experience in medical field or completed interpreter training.
• Ability to prepare reports and present to groups.
• Proficient computer skills to track patient flow and scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Interpret with accuracy across verbal, sight, and written translation.
• Self-correct, seek clarification and accept corrections.
• Intervene as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages.
• Explain the interpreter role to patients, providers and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Aid in managing patient flow and scheduling via computer.
• Encourage direct communication between provider and patient.
• Adapt interpretation mode to the situation.
• Be aware of personal values and cultural differences during encounters.

Skills

English fluency

Target language fluency

Medical interpreter experience

Communication skills

Education

Associate's degree or high school diploma

Job description

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

This position requires compliance with Caring Health Center's compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the Medical Interpreter’s regular performance evaluation.

This position also requires the ability to use a computer, work at a computer workstation, viewing a CRT and have some knowledge of a keyboard.

From time to time, this position requires the ability to work long and arduous hours.

*Salary ranges from $19.23 - $25

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.