Specialty Interpreter - Part Time ASL

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals, and Lexington Medical Center—a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare and first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for nursing excellence, Lexington Health delivers over 4,000 babies annually, performs more than 34,000 surgeries, and is the region’s third-largest employer. The network also includes an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence, the state’s first HeartCARE Center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, and an Alzheimer’s care center.

About the role

A Specialty Interpreter facilitates communication of spoken or signed messages between limited-English-proficient (LEP) patients and visitors and Lexington Medical Center staff and providers. This role combines interpreting skills with cultural and linguistic expertise to ensure accurate understanding while adhering to professional ethical standards. Interpreters also provide sight-translation of medical materials to enhance patient comprehension of procedures, treatments, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.

Responsibilities

• Provides accurate interpretation services using medical, business, and general terminology for patients, family members, visitors, LEP employees, and care providers.
• Adheres to ethical guidelines and standards of practice from the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC) and/or the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID).
• Translates pertinent patient materials when needed and appropriate.
• Serves as a cultural mediator to enhance communication between staff and patients or family members.
• Monitors and improves language and interpreting skills, staying current with linguistic meanings and regional variances.
• Participates in continuing education to maintain certification.
• Manages and responds to interpretation requests through ServiceHub.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and adaptability in high-pressure or emotionally intense situations.
• Travels to other Lexington Medical Center facilities as needed.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience as a medical interpreter.
• Nationally certified at the time of hire or obtain certification within the first year of employment:
  • Interpreters for Languages of Limited Diffusion: Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI).
  • Interpreters for American Sign Language: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
• Advanced language skills in at least two languages: English and American Sign Language or a foreign language of limited diffusion.
• Experience interpreting in medical settings.
• Understanding of ethical and professional codes of conduct covering confidentiality, informed consent, and privacy (per RID or NCIHC).
• Specific proficiency testing and training.

Benefits

• Day-one medical, dental, and life insurance benefits.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• 403(b) match plan with dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 6% (eligible for enrollment day one).
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1x salary; optional supplemental life insurance up to 3x salary at low cost.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.