Spanish Medical Interpreter

Area of Interest: Patient Care • FTE/Hours per pay period: .01 • Department: Translation Services • Shift: Days - Hours Flexible • Job ID: 187408

About the role

Bilingual Spanish Medical Interpreter | Every Conversation Matters The Medical Interpreter provides accurate, complete, and culturally responsive interpretation services for patients, families, and healthcare providers. This includes in-person, video, and phone-based encounters across inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and procedural environments. This role facilitates effective communication between individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and care teams, supporting understanding of diagnoses, treatments, patient rights, discharge instructions, and other critical health information. This position ensures all interactions are confidential, impartial, and aligned with UnityPoint Health’s commitment to providing exceptional experiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time interpretation between patients, families and healthcare providers
• Accurately convey information without summarizing, omitting or altering meaning
• Interpret in various care settings, including clinics, hospitals, emergency departments and virtual visits
• Maintain confidentiality and neutrality at all times
• Assist with obtaining informed consent and interpreting during sensitive or complex care encounters
• Support culturally appropriate care by identifying and helping address cultural misunderstandings
• Provide context when cultural norms may influence communication or health decision-making
• Educate patients and families about their rights, services available and how to navigate the healthcare system
• Accurately document interpretation encounters
• Assist with scheduling interpreter services as needed
• Maintain vendor equipment for language and accessibility services
• Translate written documents
• Participate in trainings, continuing education, patient experience initiatives and interpreter quality improvement activities
• Stay current on medical terminology, healthcare topics and industry best practices
• Support training and orientation of team members

Qualifications

Education: High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelors degree in Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Nursing, Communiation or related field preferred. Completion of a 40-Hour Medical Interpretation course preferred.

Experience: 1 year of experience as a professional medical interpreter in a clinical or hospital setting preferred. 1 year of experience in healthcare customer service, patient experience or a bilingual communication role preferred.

License(s)/Certification(s): Ability to successfully pass a medical interpreting assessment prior to date of hire. Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI) certification required within 6 months of hire. Certified Patient Experience Professional (CPXP) certification required within 2 years of hire. Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• 401K matching
• Employee recognition program
• Dental and health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Short and long-term disability
• Pet insurance
• Daily Pay (early access to earned wages)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance

Schedule

PRN As Needed: Day shift - hours flexible.