Overview

The Medical Interpreter will provide consecutive, simultaneous, and sight interpretation services to patients and their families with limited English proficiency (LEP) to enhance patients' and family members' understanding of medical procedures, treatment options, discharge instructions, patient and family education and follow-up care. Interpretation services should be provided in compliance with hospital policies and procedures, professional healthcare interpreter code of professional conduct, and HIPPA Standards. Promotes the appropriate use of language access services at WellStar, in all modalities; in-person, over-the-phone, and video remote interpreting. The interpreter will perform other related duties incidental to the work described below.

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilites and Essential Functions

Provide timely and accurate interpretation to patients, family members and other caregivers.
? Ensure that information pertaining to the patients? outpatient services; hospitalization, (i.e. advance directives, consents from treatment, diagnosis and prognosis, treatment plan, follow-up appointments) and health care education are accurately communicated.
? Maintain confidentiality in all matters related to patient care and visitor issues of non-English speaking patients and families.
? Demonstrate a high level of spoken language proficiency in source and target languages (i.e. English and Spanish), use any specialized vocabulary required by the circumstances, convey the message faithfully, accurately, and objectively, while adhering to the National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Medical Interpreters (NCIHC).
? Collaborate with providers as a multi-disciplinary team member to assist with quality improvement measures for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).
? Must be able to interpret information at the patient/family?s level of understanding, recognizing non-verbal communication and cultural patterns, recognizing and using appropriate interventions regarding health literacy.
? Demonstrate knowledge of cultural advocacy to address dialectal differences, cultural beliefs and practices, and social norms related to healthcare decisions within the boundaries of the medical interpreter.
? Demonstrate proficiency in MS Office and related programs.

Promote customer satisfaction related to WellStar mission, vision, and values.
* Conduct patient rounding along with providers (inpatients and ED)
* Notify supervisor of any issues that may be problematic for LEP patients and families
* Follow-up with patient or patient?s family members to address identified issues/concerns
* Educate WellStar team members regarding cultural and language issues that may be barriers to care
* Utilize internal resources to enhance knowledge and skills to support excellent customer service standards.

Participate in continuing education programs and competency training to enhance professional skills
? Maintain language skills and competencies by participating in annual educational trainings, cultural and linguistic competency trainings and other professional development opportunities.
? Ensure familiarity with the following documents: National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and national Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards

Performs administrative tasks relative to the position
* Maintain accurate and timely documentation on all requests for interpretation services as well as the provision of services.
* Demonstrate knowledge of how to access non-Spanish language assistance, including those for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Mandatory Requirements
* Annual Required Education
* Annual Development (i.e. GAMES, Infection Control, Physical Ed., etc.)

Required for All Jobs

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Qualifications

Required Minimum Education

High school diploma Required and

40 hours Medical Interpreter Training from approved program/institution (i.e. Bridging the Gap, ALTA, KSU, etc) Required and

Required Minimum Experience

Minimum 1 year full-time interpreting experience in any setting Required or

Minimum 2 years part-time interpreting experience in any setting Required and

Minimum 2 years Experience in customer service and ability to work with a wide range of people of diverse cultural/socio-economic backgrounds Required and

Required Minimum Skills

The ability to understand and verbalize medical terminology, body systems, and disease processes in English and target language (i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.) High

Ability to demonstrate interpreting proficiency in both English and target language (i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.) including specialized medical vocabulary High

Excellent organizational, problem-solving and diplomacy skills. High

Native or near native fluency in target language (i.e. Spanish) with strong writing and speaking skills in both English and target language (i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.) High

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)


Additional Licenses and Certifications