Medical Interpreter

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About the Job
The Medical Interpreter I supports provision of family-centered care by mediating communication between clinicians or staff and patient families who prefer a Language Other than English (PLOE). The Medical Interpreter I interprets during clinical and non-clinical interactions to support to families and staff in accurate and complete exchange of information during treatment or research cycles. We are seeking an Arabic Interpreter.

What you will do

• Responsibilities of the Medical Interpreter I include working at visits of anticipated routine or general complexity at specialty visits and research study encounters. The Medical Interpreter I:
  • Identifies, assesses, and responds to interpreting needs of patients and families as directed by the Manager. Presents assessment of needs as gathered from the family to assist other professionals in the overall communication and planning.
  • Reports to manager regarding any concerns regarding unmet communication needs or patient safety.
  • Works at encounters including the entire arc of treatment or study participation, from seeking an initial referral, appointment scheduling, and coordination of ongoing care or study visits through eventual discharge or study completion.
  • Completes and submits all required periodic reports for division data collection accurately and on time.
  • Complies with all hospital policies and procedures, with special attention to confidentiality and security of patient information.
  • Adheres to professional standards and codes of ethics as published and endorsed by national professional interpreter associations including National Council of Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) or the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct.
  • Works closely with members of support services teams (such as social work, child life, chaplaincy, etc.) to integrate families with a preferred language other than English (PLOE) into existing services across the enterprise.
  • Promotes a culture of hospitality and service both internally with CHOP departments and externally to existing and potential families.
  • Uses "Language of Caring" in interactions to promote family-centered care.
  • As directed by the Manager, may collaborate with professional colleagues at CHOP in the development of language services initiatives, policies, and practices that improve direct services and contribute to a genuine family-centered patient experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) - upon hire - Preferred or
• Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) - Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) - upon hire - Preferred or
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification - Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Inc (RID) - upon hire - Preferred

Education

• High School Diploma / GED Required
• Bachelor's Degree Preferred
• Certificate Introductory medical interpreter training course, Bridging the Gap-Cross-Cultural Health Care Program, Inc. OR Core Medical Interpreter Training Course-National Institute for Coordinated Health Care OR Comparable Medical Interpreter Training course of 40 or more hours-Comparable Language Services or educational institution Required

Experience

• At least one (1) year experience in a healthcare setting. Preferred
• At least two (2) years of international life experience, especially serving international clientele in a work environment Preferred
• Previous experience related to language services for children and/or families Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• STRONG LINGUISTIC SKILLS
• Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness (Required proficiency)
• Understands variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers (Required proficiency)
• Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction (Required proficiency)
• Strong writing skills and understanding of document translation process (Required proficiency)
• STRONG INTERPRETING SKILLS
• Appropriately explains role of the interpreter to patients and providers (Required proficiency)
• Sets tone of the patient-clinician 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, etc.) (Required proficiency)
• Selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation (i.e., consecutive, sight translation, simultaneous) (Required proficiency)
• Picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification (Required proficiency)
• Maintains transparency by clearly differentiating interpreted renditions and speaking turns on their own behalf (Required proficiency)
• Encourages and fosters direct communication between clinicians or staff and patient family maintains professional boundaries and integrity (Required proficiency)
• Chooses appropriate moment to clarify or intervene by respecting the goals of the encounter (Required proficiency)
• CULTURAL AWARENESS COMPETENCIES
• Recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and risk factors of language and cultural differences (Required proficiency)
• Uses culturally appropriate behavior (Required proficiency)
• Avoids generalizations and stereotyping (Required proficiency)
• Understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of individuals regarding notions of health and illness, etc.; uses this understanding to empower patients and clinicians to better understand each other. (Required proficiency)
• Cultivates awareness 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 (Required proficiency)
• ETHICAL COMPETENCY
• Understands and abides by hospital policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination (Required proficiency)
• Refrains from counseling or advising patient family (Required proficiency)
• Abides by professional code of ethics for interpreters (Required proficiency)
• Withdraws from the encounter when a conflict of interest arises (Required proficiency)
• CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS
• Projects positive attitude about the organization and proactively offers services to ensure positive experience (Required proficiency)
• Respects spatial and visual privacy preferences of patient family (Required proficiency)
• Works as a team with colleagues and providers (Required proficiency)
• Diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial under stress (Required proficiency)
• Addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging clinicians or staff to make appropriate referral and/or appointments with appropriate resources (Required proficiency)
• ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
• Works well under pressure to manage stressful situations (Required proficiency)
• Flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes (Required proficiency)
• Ability to handle multiple tasks with attention to detail and accuracy (Required proficiency)
• Arrives on time to patient family appointments (Required proficiency)
• COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
• Ability to use mobile phone and Microsoft Office suite for communications and scheduling; ability to navigate electronic platforms for completion of telehealth assignments, virtual group meetings, etc. (Required proficiency)
• Ability to use using electronic business platforms for payroll, documentation, compliance, etc. (Required proficiency)

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed.

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