Interpreter - PRN - Houston, TX

JOB SUMMARY

We are currently seeking an experienced Interpreter : Under the direction of the manager of interpreter services, the incumbent serves as a medical interpreter for patients and staff members and supports the operations of the department in the consecutive, simultaneous or sight translation mode for all patients and family members who are LEP, Deaf and hard of hearing. Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in compliance with all office and hospital policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent, passing performance of competencies listed in the IMIA Standards of Practice, and the Code of Ethics. Understands and abides by all published Standards of Practice and Codes of Ethics for Medical Interpreters .

Shift: PRN Days 8a-5p with rotating weekends

Key Responsibilities

• Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in 3 different modalities: face to face; telephonic and/or video interpreting.
• Reduces linguistic barriers for patients and family members who are LEP, deaf or hard of hearing seeking care at Steward Health Care.
• Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers. Explain hospital resources, office protocols, and limitations to clinicians and patients; make appropriate referrals; serve as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes.
• Performs duties in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation. Adheres to hospital policies on customer relations and hospitality. Understands the hospital's system of service delivery.
• Documenting office operations by answering the phone, taking requests, calling patients to confirm appointments, documenting encounters on the interpreter tracking system and EMR performing data entry, verifying and scheduling future appointments when necessary, doing iPad/IPOP troubleshooting, filing and photocopying.
• Utilizes on-line computer systems such as Outlook, and other hospital software. Work on special projects as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

STRONG LINGUISTIC SKILLS

• Understands a variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers.
• Selects the appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation.
• Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive and sight translation modes. Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification, and accepts corrections.
• Pick up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification .
• Strong writing skills, preferably in both English and target language(s)
• Understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party about medicine, the encounter, the illness etc.; uses this understanding, empowering patient and provider to better understand each other.
• Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages .
• Avoids generalizations and stereotyping. Uses culturally appropriate behavior and can choose the appropriate time to clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter .

Be aware of your own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations and be able to acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may interfere with successful interpretation.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED. Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred.
• Proof of Medical interpreter training-minimum of 40 hours.

Experience

• 1 year of experience in a healthcare setting as a medical interpreter with strong medical vocabulary preferred.

Certification/Licensure:

National Board Certification for spoken interpreters, see language test availability.

Software/Hardware : Working knowledge of computer systems.

Houston's oldest hospital is GROWING!

Welcome to St. Joseph Medical Center (SJMC), Houston's first and only downtown hospital delivering world-class care for the last 137 years and looking forward to the next century of exceptional care to Houstonians when they need us most.

Whether it's for a scheduled surgery, the birth of a baby, an unexpected emergency, or an outpatient visit, we have staff available around the clock to provide you access to immediate, quality health care. SJMC has been providing health care services to Greater Houston residents for over 130 years, which should give you great comfort in knowing that we have a great tradition of caring for our community. We strive to meet our patients' expectations and encourage our patients to provide us with feedback on how we can help them have the best experience possible while they're in our care.

Over the last years we have expanded our services to include the Advanced Wound Care Center, Comprehensive Cardiac and Vascular Services, the Women's Center, the St. Joseph Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, and a Weight Loss Surgery Program, just to name a few. As you work with our physicians, nurses, case managers, educators, and other staff, you will be guided through your health care journey, from diagnosis to treatment, with compassion every step of the way.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the foundation of the care St Joseph Medical Center provides to our community we are privileged to support in all of our employment practices. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic.