Specialty Interpreter - PRN ASL (Onsite Position, Not Remote)

Job Summary

A Specialty Interpreter is an Interpreter for American Sign Language and/or Languages of Limited Diffusion employee of Lexington Medical Center  who facilitates communication of spoken or signed messages between LEP patients and visitors and LMC staff and providers. An interpreter  combines the ability to facilitate understanding with both cultural and linguistic barriers while adhering to the role of the interpreter. An interpreter provides sight-translation of appropriate materials as admissible according to the conventions of medical interpreting to enhance patients’ and families’ comprehension of medical procedures, treatment, discharge instructions, patient and family education, and follow-up care.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Minimum Years of Experience: 1 Year of experience as a medical interpreter
Substitutable Education & Experience: None
Required Certifications/Licensure: Nationally certified at the time of hire or obtain certification within the first year of employment (Interpreters for Languages of Limited Diffusion must be nationally certified through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). Interpreters for American Sign Language must be certified through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID))
Required Training: Advanced Language skills in at least two languages, English and American Sign Language or a foreign language of limited diffusion;
Experience interpreting in medical settings;
Understanding of ethical and professional codes of conduct covering confidentiality, informed consent and privacy as outlined by the Registry of Interpreter of the Deaf or the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC); Specific proficiency testing and training.

Essential Functions

• Provides interpretation services effectively, with accuracy of meaning through the use of medical, business, and general terminology.  The communication triad may include, but is not limited to, interpretation for patients, family members, visitors, LEP employees of LMC, and any person providing care or treatment on behalf of LMC and its affiliates.
• Follows the guidelines of the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC) and/or the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) regarding ethics and the standards of practice.
• Provides translation when needed and appropriate of pertinent materials for patients and families.
• Serves as a cultural mediator, as necessary and when appropriate, to enhance communication between staff and patients or family members.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Monitors language and interpreting skills, takes initiative to maintain and improve as necessary and stays abreast of linguistic meanings and regional variances of both languages.
• Participates in Continuing Education opportunities to maintain certification.
• Monitors, accepts and responds to requests through ServiceHub.
• Culturally sensitive and able to adapt to adverse situations, handle high pressure or emotionally intense scenarios.
• Able to travel to other LMC facilities.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.