Spanish Medical Interpreter

Massachusetts General Hospital
United States, Massachusetts, Chelsea
151 Everett Avenue (Show on map)
Feb 19, 2025
Summary: Responsible to facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse patients/family members. Follows requests for interpretation, collaborating with qualified auxiliary interpreters for comprehensive accommodation of interpretation requests. Provides translation service (both sight translation & written translation) of pertinent materials for patients and families such as written information regarding relevant services, pre-operative, post-operative, discharge instructions, patient and family education, and follow-up care materials Does this position require Patient Care? Yes Essential Functions: -Serve as cultural mediator, as necessary and when appropriate, to enhance communication between staff and patients/family of other cultures as it relates to medical care adheres to standard code of ethics for medical interpreters. -Keep accurate documentation of interpretation encounters to include relevant data such as location, duration, and purpose. -Provides coordination and staff training on the use of the telephone language interpretation services (and relevant equipment). -Answer calls promptly and conduct interpretation in a friendly and professional manner. -Function in a manner appropriate to each interpreted situation, demonstrating professional appearance, conduct, and promptness. -Serve as cultural mediator, as necessary and when appropriate, to enhance communication between staff and patients/family of other cultures as it relates to medical care -Adheres to standard code of ethics for medical interpreters. *GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:* Under the direction of the MGH Chelsea Interpreter Services, the incumbent provides medical interpretation for clinical and non-clinical encounters to enable communication between patients and families who are limited English proficient (LEP), and clinicians and other hospital staff. Interpretation will be provided in person, by video and by telephone and in compliance with the National Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, MGH policies and Medical Interpreter Services guidelines to ensure patient safety and access to quality care. The incumbent will also complete written medical translations originated from the health center, as well as provide assistance with the coordination and dispatch of interpreters to appointments as needed. *PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:* Provide accurate and skilled interpretations to help facilitate successful delivery of services to non-English speaking consumers within the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center and sister MGH locations. Explain MGH resources, office protocols, and limitations to clinicians and patients, makes appropriate referrals, serves as a 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 health care's system of service delivery. Face to face interpretation for all types of encounters in the health center setting, such as: medical appointments and nurse assessments family meetings psychiatric and social work consultations informed consents and explanation of tests and procedures patient visits administrative encounters Phone / Video Interpretation, in various situations such as: medical appointments conducted remotely triage nurse calls helping patients obtain information making, confirming or re-scheduling appointments giving simple and complicated medical instructions helping patients with any questions Written translations applying principles to ensure linguistic and cultural integrity, such as: messages from patients sent through the Patient Gateway portal discharge instructions results letters, medical forms, public signage medication schedules assist patients fill out forms Administrative assignments to be performed as needed manage the Interpreter Dispatcher telephone line to dispatch interpreters to appointments triage incoming calls to route to appropriate program/staff add interpreters to appointments through the Electronic Medical Record system Documents interpreted encounters daily. Utilizes computer systems. Assists with requests and does general troubleshooting. Special projects as assigned. *QUALIFICATIONS:* fluency in English and Spanish, both oral and written Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) or Certified Health Interpreter (CHI) credentials preferred 1 to 2 years of experience in a healthcare setting as a medical interpreter with strong medical vocabulary minimum of 40-hr training in medical interpretation preferred bachelor's Degree in any area related to science or human services high level of customer service and a positive approach familiar with diversity of cultural/socio-economic backgrounds good interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills knowledge of computer systems Certificate in written translations preferred *SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:* Strong linguistic skills: understands variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification strong writing skills and understanding of translation process Strong cultural awareness competencies: understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party about medicine, the encounter, the illness etc., uses this understanding to empower patient and provider to better understand each other avoids generalizations and stereotyping uses culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time to clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter is aware of own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations, is able to acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may interfere with successful interpretation Strong interpreting skills: explains role of the interpreter to patient and provider recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and added factor of linguistic barrier sets tone of the patient/provider encounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication to preserve accuracy and completeness, and to assess and address potential areas of discomfort for patient (age, gender of interpreter, no previous experience with interpreters) encourages and fosters direct communication between provider and patient maintains professional distance and integrity diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial clarifies instructions, follow up steps in a diplomatic, effective manner Ethical competency: understands and abides by hospital policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination and by interpreters' code of ethics Interpersonal and customer service skills: projects positive attitude about the department and the health center, and offers services to ensure positive experience works as a team with colleagues and providers addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging provider to make appropriate referral and/or assisting with making of appointment with right resource and booking interpreter as needed Organizational skills: works well under pressure to manage stressful situations flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes sound judgment and confidence ability to handle multiple tasks detail-oriented and accurate *WORKING CONDITIONS:* fast paced clinical and office environment, with frequently changing priorities physically demanding with the potential of long periods of standing time emotionally challenging, as some interactions may be highly stressful requiring maturity, composure & sound judgment daily workload assigned by coordinators according to patient needs or by volume of incoming requests Possibility of working from home some days of the week The above is intended to describe the general contents and requirements of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or skills of personnel so classified. Physical Requirements Standing Frequently (34-66%) Walking Frequently (34-66%) Sitting Occasionally (3-33%) Pushing Occasionally (3-33%) Pulling Occasionally (3-33%) Climbing Rarely (Less than 2%) Balancing Frequently (34-66%) Stooping Occasionally (3-33%) Kneeling Occasionally (3-33%) Crouching Occasionally (3-33%) Crawling Rarely (Less than 2%) Reaching Frequently (34-66%) Feeling Constantly (67-100%) Foot Use Rarely (Less than 2%) Vision - Far Constantly (67-100%) Vision - Near Constantly (67-100%) Talking Constantly (67-100%) Hearing Constantly (67-100%) The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.