INTERPRETER

General Description

We are a regional agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, serving our community for over 100 years. Our mission is to help people reach their full human potential, advocate for those in need, and work in partnership with faith communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers for internal and external Language Services customers.
• Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive or simultaneous translation modes.
• Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction.
• Picks up cues from participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification, as well as understanding of interpretation process.
• Understands language as an expression of culture and uses this to empower patient and provider to better understand each other.
• Explains role of the interpreter to patient and provider.
• Recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and added factor of linguistic barrier.
• Sets tone of the patient/provider encounter to manage flow of communication to preserve accuracy and completeness, and to assess and address potential areas of discomfort for patient (age, gender of interpreter, no previous experience with interpreters).
• Encourages and fosters direct communication between provider and patient.
• Maintains professional distance and integrity.
• Diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial.
• Clarifies instructions, follow up steps in a diplomatic, effective manner.
• Understands and abides by Language Services and its customers policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination and by interpreters code of ethics and standards of practice.
• Serves as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes.
• Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages.
• Avoids generalizations and stereotyping.
• Uses culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time to clarify or interject.
• Is 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.
• Utilize on-line computer systems such as Outlook and medical interpreter scheduling software on your Apple or Android smart phone.
• Flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes.
• Maintains composure and a professional demeanor under stressful, distracting, or challenging situations.
• Participates in relevant Agency meetings and/or trainings.
• Actively pursues development of professional competencies related to job role performance through reading, supervision, in-service training.
• Awareness of and active support of the Agency's Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan.

Top Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and 403b retirement plan
• Generous time off package and work-life balance
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Supportive and collaborative environment
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Intrinsic reward of truly making a difference in people's lives

Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s Degree in a related field preferred. Equivalent Combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Credentials: Valid and clean NYS Driver’s License. Medical and/or Community Interpreter course is also preferred.
• Experience: Ability to speak English and at least one additional language. Minimum of one year of experience providing language interpreting services on a paid or volunteer capacity. Must be proficient with Microsoft Outlook, and experience with online-based platforms is preferred. Experience working in multicultural environments and/or human services field is preferred.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The physical demands/work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, hear, stand, walk, use hands to type and/or perform light lifting.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to prioritize assignments, plan, and complete work projects with minimal direction,
• An ability to work efficiently and effectively and meet deadlines,
• An ability to work under pressure,
• Excellent verbal/written skills,
• Ability to maintain confidentiality,
• Ability to demonstrate behaviors and attitudes which support agency mission, philosophy, and policies.
• Willingness and ability to foster agency and program wide cooperation and teamwork through use of positive/constructive communication techniques,
• Possession of a valid NYS Driver’s license and use of a registered and reliable vehicle.