Language Services Coordinator

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

This position provides accurate and complete, interpretation of medical information between providers and patients. The Language Services Coordinator will work collaboratively to implement and sustain systems to provide written translations of patient education materials, consent forms, legal and other medically necessary materials to patients with limited proficiency in English. Candidates adhere to the standards of practice and code of ethics of medical Interpreting. The Coordinator will work with the Director of Patient Experience to implement and sustain systems to provide services for our patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and out Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHOH), and blind and visually impaired. In addition, the position will work as a lead interpreter and will assist with establishing, maintaining, and fostering positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. This Coordinator and staff of the Patient Experience team will work to establish a positive and productive work environment.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• 1. Facilitates and encourages direct communication between patient and provider by being a conduit and not the focus of communication.
• 2. Displays equal sensitivity to patient and caregiver concerns, interpreting all comments between the two parties
• 3. Demonstrates proper use of intervention techniques when intervening with the need for clarification or explanation of cultural issues Points out apparent misunderstandings between all parties
• 4. Displays cultural sensitivity by offering to educate provider and patient to better understanding of each other 's culture
• 5. Demonstrates knowledge of and follows institutional health and safety policies
• 6. Demonstrates knowledge of and follows Language Services and the Auxiliary aids and services policy for persons with disability
• 7. Instructs hospital staff/care providers in appropriate utilization of interpreters and interpreter resources
• 8. Identify patient concerns and escalate to Patient Relations Coordinator.
• 9. Responsible to provide interpreting services at Lawrence + Memorial with a concentration in the ED setting.
• 10. Participates in on-going professional development. Participates in on-going professional development by attending interpreter conferences, training offered by the department, extended education opportunities and by reading professional articles or taking language improvement courses when they are in need of ongoing professional development.
• 11. Responsible for the completion of CEUs to maintain certification
• 12. Assist as needed with review of RL's and provide detailed responses in accordance to departmental protocols and policies
• 13. Attend and participate in department meetings and other events as instructed.
• 14. Assist the Management with the day-to-day operations of the interpreter work flow; monitoring, coaching, training, and scheduling. Serves as the language services interpreter sector. Provide assistance with orientation to new interpreters and/or other in-service training
• 15. Responds to provider's difficulties and concerns with understanding and sensitivity; ensures that the language services department policy and procedures are followed.
• 16. EPIC Superuser may provide technical and functional support of the language services sector. Especially utilizing the Share Point site to facilitate interpreter services.
• 17. Act as a liaison with department leadership and staff/associates.
• 18. Participate in educational team meetings providing insight on the success of communication strategies
• 19. Language Services Coordinator insures timely submission and payment for the Patient Experience Department vendors.
• 20. Performs as in person interpreter when needed.
• 21. Responsible for producing monthly language services reports.
• 22. Responsible for coordination of all auxiliary services and devices.
• 23. Write and provide reports as needed and performs other related administrative duties as assigned such as tracking of auxiliary aids and devices.
• 24. Responsible for the coordination of Language Services for L+M and Westerly Hospital
• 25. Meets performance expectations for Customer Service, Teamwork, Resource Utilization, and Staff and Self Development as outlined in performance review.
• 26. Performs other duties as assigned or directed to ensure smooth operation of the department/unit.

EDUCATION

Associates degree required, Bachelors Degree preferred with a concentration in language allied medical field, communication, hospitality, or equivalent combination of education, training and or experience. Candidates pursuing a degree will be considered, provided they obtain a degree within 2 years of accepting the position.

EXPERIENCE

Two years of medical interpreting or equivalent. Experience in a healthcare/hospital setting preferred. Demonstrates increasing knowledge of medical vocabulary. Experience in handling a variety of customers at all socio-economic levels. Demonstrated experience with the application of interpreting technologies/equipment: smart phones, tablets, computers and commonly used software. Understanding of culture represented by languages spoken by interpret

LICENSURE

National Certification of Medical Interpreters required for Spanish interpreters (not available in all languages). YNHH Interpreter certification program required after 1 year of employment. National Certification of Medical Interpreters required within 18 months of employment. Maintain a Medical Interpretation Certification.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Must be fluent in a foreign language and English both verbal and written. Proven ability to work independently/ as a part of a team. Ability to work with limited supervision. Completes the accurate entry of data in Epic. Ability to organize and assign work assignments. Substantial knowledge of medical vocabulary in at least two languages. Demonstrated ability to perform administrative tasks to include departmental reports on limited English Proficiency patients.