Medical Interpreter – Spanish/English – – Children’s National Hospital – Washington, DC

Description
Under supervision, The Interpreter/Translator will provide language interpretation and translation services to patients and their families in critical, acute,

or chronic medical situations as needed. Will provide services in person or telephonic interpretation to assist patients and families in their interactions

throughout the hospital.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of experience. (Required)

Minimum Work Experience

1 year Experience as interpreter for individuals in critical situations. (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Bilingual capability or certified Sign Language Interpreter.

Understands medical terminology.

Functional Accountabilities

Patient Care

• Facilitate communication among patients, families, and staff.

• Interpret directly and accurately , without omissions, addition or interference with communication.

• Manage assignments independently without close supervision; maintain professional role and sensitivity during critical medical and/or psychosocial situations; respect all parties in the discussion and their individual roles.

• Set limits appropriately; maintain professional boundaries as interpreter; maintain patient, family and staff rights to confidentiality privacy .

• Translate quickly and accurately patient-specific discharge instructions, physician and nursing instructions, and care instructions.

Staff Interpretation Services

• Educate staff in use of interpreter and available interpretation services.

• Communicate with staff about staff needs and patient/family needs.

• Set appropriate limits.

• Advocate for patients/families with staff to facilitate continuity of care.

• Assist staff to become increasingly culturally sensitive.

Organizational Accountabilities

Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details – practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance