MEDICAL INTERPRETER (AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE)
Hartgrove Behavioral Health System meets the needs of our patients, their families and the community by delivering an all-encompassing psychiatric healthcare service that is both effective and efficient. Restoring the emotional well-being of our patients and giving them resources for their future is our primary commitment.
About the role
The Language Interpreter is responsible for converting physicians' advice and diagnoses, pharmacological instructions, and hospitals' information and protocols into American Sign Language. The position entails communicating between hospital staff, families, and patients by listening to professionals and translating verbatim patients’ responses back to the professionals, using proper medical terminology. Functions may involve translating information such as the reason for medical visit, translation during family sessions, providing drug information, past medical history and family medical history, and scheduling follow-up appointments.
Responsibilities
- Conduct general and medical interpretation to staff, patients, and their families
- Note down and monitor interpretation activities according to hospital standards
- Always give reports to a Manager or Supervisor
- Observe, obtain, and receive information from all relevant sources
- Audit, compile, calculate, code, tabulate, enter, or verify information or data
- Ensure patient confidentiality
- Work with clients that have poor social skills, suffer from substance abuse, and a variety of mental illnesses
Requirements
- High school education required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- Minimum of two years’ experience in providing medical interpreting in an acute care setting strongly preferred
- Must hold a certification from the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission with at least an Advanced or Master license from the state
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification completion substantiating formal training and qualifications for medical interpreting
- High fluency in English; ability to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptive and expressive, using medical terminology as appropriate
- Knowledge of general and psychiatric group processes, therapeutic relationships and processes, age-specific growth and development, crisis and behavioral management
- Self-motivated, results-oriented individual who is customer-focused with a positive attitude
Skills
- Positive therapeutic relationships and interventions with patients
- Service Excellence with all customers
- Ability to use least restrictive measures
- Clear and concise documentation
- Adherence to Hospital Attendance policies and Code of Conduct
Benefits
- Highly competitive wages & shift differentials
- Career advancement and mobility
- Engaged leadership team with a commitment to patient and staff safety
- Competitive benefits packages inclusive of medical, dental, and vision
- 401K company matching
- Tuition reimbursement benefits
- UHS employee discount offerings
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Exposure to psychiatric patients who may exhibit violent/aggressive behavior
- Potential for exposure to communicable diseases, blood/body fluids, and other hazardous waste
- General hospital environment