Medical Interpreter

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides interpretation services between English and the target language for patients, families, and healthcare staff during clinical and non-clinical encounters.
• Interprets accurately and objectively during medical consultations, procedures, assessments, admissions, discharge planning, patient education, and related healthcare interactions.
• Affords assistance to patients with navigating hospital services and facilitates communication between patients and departments throughout the healthcare setting.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information in accordance with hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and interpreter ethics standards.
• Documents interpretation encounters in designated departmental logs, electronic systems, and/or medical records, as required.
• Maintains records and tracking systems related to interpretation service utilization and departmental activities.
• Affords interpretation support for patient outreach activities, educational seminars, meetings, focus groups, and community engagement initiatives.
• Maintains current knowledge of medical terminology, healthcare procedures, and organizational policies to ensure accurate communication.
• Serves as a liaison between patients and healthcare staff to promote culturally competent communication and enhance the patient experience.
• Responds appropriately to patient concerns and relays information to appropriate personnel when necessary.
• Maintains coverage of assigned work areas and responds to interpretation requests in a timely manner.
• Participates in departmental meetings, in-service trainings, continuing education, and professional development activities to maintain proficiency in medical interpretation.
• Promotes a professional, respectful, and patient-centered environment consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Prepares reports and participates in special studies, conducts research, as necessary, in connection with functional responsibilities.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Public Administration, Hospital Administration, Business Administration or in a health care specialization or related discipline; or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in fields, as described in “1” above or in social sciences; and one (1) year of paid, full-time responsible experience in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity performing functions related to the coordination and delivery of patient care services or similar functions in a hospital or a health care setting;
• A satisfactory equivalent of education, training and/or experience.

Department Preferences

• Completed 40 Hour Certification as a Medical Interpreter (e.g., CMI or CHI) required.
• Native or advanced proficiency in Haitian Creole.