Designated Healthcare Interpreter, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School

Job Posting Title:

Designated Healthcare Interpreter, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School

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Hiring Department:

Department of Psychiatry

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2025

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Dell Medical School is looking for a Designated Healthcare Interpreter. This position has an end date of 8/31/2025, renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward goals.

Purpose

The Designated Healthcare Interpreter interprets all aspects of patient care and academic practice between patients, clinicians, and departments. The primary function of the Interpreter is to provide interpretation between signed and spoken language to a deaf psychologist in all areas of the psychologist’s work, including but not limited to: clinical, education, research, academic, and administrative settings. The interpreter works to relay information accurately and completely in compliance with all clinical site policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent, as well as the Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics as set forth by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters.

Responsibilities

• Interpret for Deaf and Hard of Hearing clinicians in their interactions with patients, families, trainees, care providers, and other hospital personnel in all settings and areas of the psychologist’s work. Interpret complex and/or sensitive medical, psychological, and personal information, including but not limited to medical histories and medical, social and psychological assessments, and diagnostic and treatment plan development

• Monitor and promptly communicate pertinent audio-linguistic (e.g., rate and tone of speech) information to the Deaf psychologist during patient encounters to inform mental status evaluations.

• Meet regularly as scheduled by deaf psychologist to assist in coordination of schedule for language access services in all settings and areas of the psychologist’s work. Work as a team with other interpreters when needed.

• Maintain awareness and monitoring of hearing-deaf power differentials and consistently strive to minimize these differentials.

• Communicate with UT, and partner hospital-related faculty, staff, trainees, and visitors as necessary. Read and respond to electronic mail in a timely manner.

• Maintain position-related documentation (e.g., time logs, professional development, academic activities). Engage in professional development activities (e.g., BLS, professional CE activities) as necessary to maintain appropriate credentials.

• Undergo health care maintenance (e.g., annual PPD, annual influenza vaccine) as necessary.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Minimum of current RID and/or NIC and/or Texas BEI certification. At least 5 years of professional interpreting experience in healthcare settings. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, ASL, and oral communication skills. Excellent ASL to English transliteration abilities. Flexibility and good judgement. Highly developed sense of discretion in dealing with confidential information. Ability to multi-task and work well in a fast-paced, stressful environment while maintaining confidentiality. Ability to work with young children and adolescents. Professional appearance and demeanor. History of regular and punctual attendance in the workplace. The Interpreter consistently will work in high-level, high-stakes circumstances, and must possess advanced proficiency with medical and psychological concepts and terminology, in both lay and professional language, and in both spoken and signed modes. Comfort with interpreting mental health content and crises. Interpreters without an academic degree or sufficient experience working in the healthcare setting may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Interpreter: Must have experience as a professional interpreter. Interpreter should ha