Medical Interpreter/Translator- Geisinger Medical Center

Location:

Geisinger Medical Center (GMC)

Shift:

Days (United States of America)

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Worker Type:

Regular

Exemption Status:

No

Job Summary:

The Medical Interpreter/Translator facilitates communication across multiple languages among patients, families, clinicians, and staff in every patient-facing area of the organization utilizing resources such as language line. Performs duties as a patient navigator by partnering with care providers to serve as a liaison to ensure effective communication in Spanish to patients and caregivers. The Medical Interpreter/Translator provides both written and spoken language services for clinical and non-clinical communication for Spanish speaking patients.

Job Duties:

• Converts organizational documents from English to Spanish with equivalent meaning and effect (i.e., translating/drafting, editing, and/or proofing) to support all manner of healthcare services.
• Ensures accuracy of content utilizing reference materials and electronic resources to research, verify, and check the most effective and appropriate modes of communicating messages in target language.
• Identifies, assesses, and responds to interpreting needs of patients and families as directed by the manager, including during inquiry, scheduling, initial and ongoing visits or procedures. The medical translator/interpreter provides accurate, skilled renditions for effective communication and complies with all hospital policies and procedures.
• Upholds the National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care of the National Council of Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) and abides by the ethics, values and standards of practice for professional translators as articulated by the American Translators Association.
• Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team, supporting in care planning for Spanish speaking patients and families. Presents assessment of needs to assist other professionals in the overall treatment and care planning, including support personnel in fields such as social work, spiritual care, case management, etc. and for coordination of services, including local transportation and accommodations, securing meals, etc.
• Prioritizes needs for interpreting services ie. Tests, procedures, end of life discussions, etc.
• Coordinates services for all Limited English Proficient in house patients to assure language needs are being met through other resources such as language line.
• Proposes most suitable service delivery modality (in person, video, telephone) based on the needs of the patient, and in the event of unforeseen communication barriers.
• Promotes a culture of hospitality and service both internally within departments and divisions, and externally to existing and potential international families and clients.
• Prioritizes materials for translation to ensure timely availability of information for use.
• Utilizes translation tools and software to optimize efficiency
• Acts as a resource to the organization providing insight and education on language and cultural differences.
• Performs additional miscellaneous job-related duties as requested.
• Collaborates with professional colleagues in the development and implementation of language services initiatives as directed by the Manager when appropriate.
• Upon manager request, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in the development of language services policies, practices and programs that improve direct services and contribute to an ideal, culturally-responsive, patient-family experience.

Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.

Position Details:

• Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm

• Required Experience: Completion of nationally recognized medical interpreter program (e.g. bridging the gap, the community interpreter, language line, or equivalent 40-hour minimum medical interpreting course)

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