Job Description
Spanish Medical Interpreter Job Category: Healthcare Support Requisition
Number: SPANI001121 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 FOR MORE INFORMATION
Job Tags
Full time