Medical Interpreter (Haitian Creole)

Summary:

The Medical Interpreter assists clinic staff by facilitating cross-cultural communication for non-English Haitian Creole speaking patients of all ages. Provides language interpretation as patients interface with non-English speakers. Provide written translation services. Follow-up with patients may include phone calls and documentation of such contacts.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Seek to understand and meet customers’ needs (patients, families, vendors, co-workers, etc.) through respectful, courteous and culturally sensitive interactions.

· Actively participates and works cooperatively in a team environment within and across departments to accomplish the goals of the organization. Willingly assist in areas other than that of primary responsibility for the good of the organization.

· Demonstrate effective, culturally sensitive communication verbally and in writing with a variety of people.

· Know, understand, and adhere to organizational policy related to the patient's rights for confidential care.

· Fluently interprets from the source language to the target language and back again.

· Mediates between parties. Provides verbatim interpretation to preserve the medical record. Conveys meaning of the message in the target language.

· Consistently seeks clarification from those involved to ensure clear and accurate interpretation; takes notes as necessary.

· Serves as cultural educator/consultant regarding Haitian Creole health care beliefs and cross-cultural issues pre or post appointment as requested.

· Documents on encounter form that language interpretation was provided. Ensures timely and accurate completion of billing forms.

· Provides translation (written communication) of written materials from Haitian Creole into English and English into Haitian Creole as needed.

· Understands ethical boundaries while serving in the role of interpreter; maintains neutrality during patient/provider interactions.

· Provides translation and administrative assistance to triage nurse.

· Calls patients to confirm appointments for specialty offices and any other appointments as requested by providers or supervisor.

· Assists providers and support staff by making/recording phone information to Haitian Creole patients.

· Assists staff to fill outpatient health care forms.

· Recognizes and responds to signs of a patient in emergent distress and directs to appropriate clinical staff and management

· Translates patient educational materials into Haitian Creole/English.

· Adheres to all JPCHC policies and procedures.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

· None.

 

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Virtual work is possible and at the discretion of the manager. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Education and/or Experience

· High School Diploma or equivalent required.

· Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in Haitian Creole and English required. Spoken and written fluency will be tested.

· Minimum of two (2) years' experience working in a health care environment required.

· Knowledge of medical terminology practice and procedures preferred.

· Proof of successful completion of Bridging the Gap course highly preferred.

 

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of ADP Workforce Now Human Resource systems; Internet Explorer Internet software; ADP Workforce Now Payroll systems; Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software and Microsoft Word Processing software.

 

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· While performing this Job's duties, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.

· The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.

· The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

 

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.