Interpreter job description

Children s Specialized Hospital is the nation s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to developmental and behavioral issues like autism and mental health. At 13 different New Jersey locations, our pediatric specialists partner with families to make our many innovative therapies and medical treatments more personalized and effective...so children can achieve more of their goals.

Aid communication and comprehension by converting the spoken word from English to the target language
Essential Job Functions
Speak, read, and write fluently in at least two languages, including English and one or more other languages.
Relays the style and tone of the original language
Renders spoken messages accurately, quickly and clearly
Maintains sensitivity to parents personal circumstances as well as maintains confidentiality and adheres to the code of conduct
Provides consecutive interpretation at initial evaluations, assessments, direct service sessions, and IFSP development, as required.
Interprets all information articulated between the child/family and the practioner during the session note and confirms future sessions
Maintains professional boundaries between parties and adheres to interpretation referencing the early intervention services provided and other information related to those services
Maintains sensitivity to parent's personal circumstances as well as maintains confidentiality and adheres to NJEIS Code of Conduct
Attends trainings as required
Travels in personal vehicle to and from the natural environment of each family assigned
Maintains valid NJ driver's license and required insurance
Accurately records the time and frequency of services provided and records that information along with required signatures for billing
Submits bill for services as required by departmental policies and procedures
Submits required paperwork time accurately adhering to departmental volume/productivity requirements
Maintains ongoing communication with office via email, text and telephone
Responds quickly to any request for information
Formal Education and Job-Related Experience
* High school diploma, GED, or other qualifications as deemed acceptable by the NJ DOH personnel standards for early intervention personnel

Physical Demands
* Travelling to natural environment settings including but not limited to home and day care sessions
Majority of duties require driving, walking, sitting on the floor, bending, stretching, reaching, visual acuity and ability to safely lift up to 10 lbs.

Accurately interprets and transliterates from English into American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish Language medical, mental health and general information for staff, patient care support, patients and families. Assists physicians, nurses and social workers in the assessment of situations as related to the culture of the patient. Maintains compliance with all hospital policies and procedures, particularly patient confidentiality and informed consent, in compliance with the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct and the NCIHC Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

**Position Responsibilities** : Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to patients who communicate via ASL and or Spanish Language. Assists with written documents as required in patient encounters such as assisting patient with filling out forms, and explaining written medical instructions and medication schedules. Maintains accurate and detailed documentation of all interpreting encounters and refusals by patients who choose to use a companion to interpret. Supports department operations by answering the phone, taking requests, and calling patients to confirm appointments. Assists department with special projects as assigned. Actively engages in professional development to maintain current skills and knowledge of environmental trends, clinical developments and industry changes.
**Position Requirements:**

**Minimum Education:**

Required: High School Diploma plus training acquired through work experience or education

Preferred: Associates Degree OR equivalent training acquired via work experience or education

**Minimum Experience:**

Required: 1-2 years of previous job-related experience

Preferred: 3-5 years of previous job-related experience

Minimum Experience Details: Must have experience in medical interpreting.

**Licensure/Certifications:**

Required: ASL Interpreter License - Advanced Level, National Interpreter Certification (NIC) or equivalent

Preferred: ASL Interpreter License - Masters Level

**Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion**

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

Act as a liaison between English speaking staff and non-English speaking patients or caregivers to provide accurate interpretation of critical information between the patient and a member of their care them when interpretation services are specifically requested.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties:

• Precisely and accurately interprets critical medical information to and from the patient and a member of their care team, using appropriate medical terminology.
• May assist patients in reading forms and educational information if requested.
• Establishes and maintains quality service and positive interaction with all patients, visitors, and other staff including health care providers, and clinical employees.
• Assists with patient follow-up as necessary, including but not limited to contacting patients with appointment reminders.
• Ability to adjust communications to fit the needs and level of understanding of the receiver.
• Maintains strict patient confidentiality in accordance with policies and standards.
• Provides occasional services outside of normal working hours on as as-needed basis.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Oral proficiency and fluency in English and target language Adheres to the professional responsibility and ethics for an interpreter in healthcare
• Ability to professionally manage an interpretation encounter
• Cultural awareness and responsiveness
• Knowledge of cultural and perceptual factors that may affect patient treatment and communication.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to precisely and accurately decipher critical medical information to and from English to the patient's native language using accurate medical and colloquial terminology appropriate for the encounter
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationship and provide excellent customer service
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to interact and communicate with people in person, over the telephone, or via video.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and/or in stressful situations and apply sound judgement and patient de-escalation techniques when needed.
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours as needed.
Qualifications
MINIMUM EDUCATION:
High school diploma or GED equivalent.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:
• Demonstrated oral proficiency and fluency in English and target language through a verified Medical Interpretation & Code of Ethics Assessment or successful completion of a medical interpreting training with the ability to apply for an Interpretation Certification through Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters or the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.
• Six (6) months of interpretation experience in a healthcare setting.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
• One (1) year of interpretation experience in a healthcare setting.


PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE:
Interpretation Certification through Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters or the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.