U Status Medical Interpreter

Salem Health; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Salem Health is hiring a medical interpreter for Language Services at Salem Hospital. The role provides in-person and remote interpretation to ensure accurate communication for patients, families and clinicians, around the clock.

You will coordinate language access across languages, assist staff with LEP patients, and contribute to staff education on cultural dynamics, health equity and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Certified Health Care Interpreter required (OHA certification).
• Formal interpreting experience or completion of an approved health care interpreter training course preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate in-person or remote medical interpretation between patients, families, and providers 24/7.
• Coordinate language access services for ASL and other languages through scheduling and patient rounding.
• Triage and prioritize interpretation requests to meet urgent care needs.
• Educate staff on language access and cultural competency to improve communication with LEP patients.
• Act as a community health liaison to build trust, support health equity and patient safety.

Education

Oregon State Health Care Interpreter Certification from OHA

Job description

Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department:Language Services
Position Type:Unscheduled/ Per Diem
Schedule: Scheduling will encompass all hours and days, aligned with business needs

Your role with us

At Salem Health, a medical interpreter plays a critical role in ensuring equitable, accurate, and timely communication between patients, families, and health care providers by providing in-person and remote language interpretation, primarily in high-stakes medical contexts. In addition to direct interpretation, the role includes coordinating services for other languages, supporting staff education on working with limited english proficiency (LEP) patients, and acting as a cultural liaison to improve patient trust and safety. Interpreters also contribute to system improvements, regulatory compliance, and community engagement, helping to reduce barriers to care.

What you'll do

• Provide accurate, impartial, and timely in-person or remote medical interpretation between patients, families, and providers to ensure clear, medically necessary communication 24/7.
• Coordinate and support language access services for a variety of languages, including American Sign Language, through scheduling, patient rounding, and use of auxiliary aids.
• Triage and prioritize multiple interpretation requests to meet urgent and complex patient care needs effectively.
• Educate staff and support cultural competency by sharing insights on language and cultural dynamics that impact communication with LEP patients.
• Act as a Community Health Liaison and cultural broker, building trust, addressing health equity, and supporting regulatory compliance and patient safety.
• Utilize technology tools such as dispatching systems and mobile devices to ensure efficient communication and service delivery.

Required qualifications

• Certified Health Care Interpreter: Currently has Oregon State Health Care Interpreter Certification from OHA.

Additional Information

• Formal interpreting experience or the completion of a state approved health care interpreter training course preferred.

Why Salem Health?

Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.

We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].