Haitian Creole Interpreter

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the supervisor, provide oral medical interpretation for clinical and non-clinical encounters both face to face and remotely in compliance with the IMIA Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and BMC policies to ensure patient safety and access to quality care.

Provide written translations as required in patient encounters such as assisting filling out forms, medical instructions, medication schedules and instructions.  Provide administrative written translations such as letters to patients, documents, and patient materials. Track and document encounters for reporting purposes.

Position: Haitian Creole Interpreter

Department: Interpreter Services

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Provide accurate and skilled interpretations to ensure the successful delivery of safe and quality services to non-English speaking consumers.
• Explain BMC resources, office protocols, and interpreter role to clinicians and patients; make appropriate referrals; serve as a resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes. 
• Perform duties in the spirit of teamwork and cooperation.
• Adhere to hospital policies on customer relations and hospitality. Understand the hospital’s system of service delivery.

Provide face to face and remote interpretation for all types of encounters in the hospital setting, such as:

• medical appointments and nurse assessments
• family meetings
• psychiatric and social work consultations
• teaching
• informed consents and explanation of tests and procedures
• administrative encounters

Assisting patients to:

• obtain information
• make, confirm or re-schedule appointments
• assisting providers to:
• give simple medical instructions
• give test results
• facilitating patients in navigating the system

Provide written/site translations:

• in-patient discharge instructions
• assist patients fill out forms
• medication schedules
• administrative translations such as letters to patients, documents, and patient materials

Departmental resource:

• Interpreters on call must be available to take on-calls after hour requests and cover for emergencies at night and week-ends carrying a pager to cover a language or the Interpreter Services Department.
• Must be flexible to change his/her shift with appropriate notice.

General office responsibilities:

• Contributes to the overall organization of the office. Assists in occasional filling, answers telephone calls, takes requests, organizes any data collection, and may be required to do data entry, statistics and scheduling. Prepares reports of departmental activities.
• Assists in the development and presentation of interpreting training/workshop sessions, as well as training and orientation on cultural diversity and language issues to BMC staff.
• Learn how to operate TTY machines.

Patient responsibilities:

• Will have minimal physical contact with patients and unlikely to come in contact with blood and body fluids.
• Will use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is provided by BMC and must be worn when there is reasonable anticipated risk of occupational exposure to blood or body fluids.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other duties as needed 

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Minimum of two years of college is required (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• National Certification

OR

• Completion of a Medical Interpreting program offered at a college level

OR

• A 60 hour Medical interpreting program

EXPERIENCE:

With National Certification OR completion of a Medical Interpreting program offered at a college level:

• 1 to 2 years of experience as a medical interpreter in a healthcare setting, where interpreting was a primary function of the job

With a 60 hour Medical Interpreting program:

• 2 to 3 years of experience as a medical interpreter in a healthcare setting where interpreting was the primary function of the job for candidates with a 60 hour Medical Interpreting training

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Fluency in English and the required language (another language a plus), both oral and written.
• Strong knowledge of medical vocabulary.
• Thorough knowledge of the IMIA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
• High level of customer service and a positive approach.
• Experience working with patients or clients with diversity of cultural/socio-economic backgrounds.
• Good interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.
• Knowledge of computer systems such as Word, Excel and Outlook.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS (Responsible for on-call, 24 hr. coverage, etc.):

• Interpreters on call will carry a pager and must be available to take calls and after hour requests and cover for emergencies at night and week-ends.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans