Medical Interpreter

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A Brief Overview
The Medical Interpreter II supports provision of family-centered care by mediating communication between clinicians or staff and patient families who prefer a Language Other than English (LOE). The Medical Interpreter II interprets during clinical and non-clinical interactions to support to families and staff in accurate and complete exchange of information throughout the entire treatment or research cycle.

This role is for an Arabic interpreter. The schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm.

What you will do

• Responsibilities of the Medical Interpreter II include all duties and encounter types assigned to Medical Interpreter I, in addition to working at visits with increased complexity, such as specialty and subspecialty or multidisciplinary visits. Medical Interpreter II may also be assigned to work with research study encounters. The Medical Interpreter II:
• Identifies, assesses and responds to interpreting needs of patients and families as directed by the Manager. Presents assessment of needs as gathered from the family to assist other professionals in the overall communication and planning. Reports to manager regarding any concerns regarding unmet communication needs or patient safety.
• Relevant encounters include the entire arc of treatment or study participation, from seeking an initial referral, appointment scheduling, and coordination of ongoing care or study visits through eventual discharge or study completion.
• Completes and submits all required periodic reports for division data collection accurately and on time.
• Complies with all hospital policies and procedures, with special attention to confidentiality and security of patient information.
• Adheres to professional standards and codes of ethics as published and endorsed by national professional interpreter associations including National Council of Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) or the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct.
• Works closely with members of support services teams (such as social work, child life, chaplaincy, etc.) to integrate families with a preferred language other than English (PLOE) into existing services across the enterprise.
• Promotes a culture of hospitality and service both internally with CHOP departments and externally to existing and potential families.
• Uses "Language of Caring" in interactions to promote family-centered care.
• As directed by the Manager, collaborates with professional colleagues at CHOP in the development of language services initiatives, policies, and practices that improve direct services and contribute to a genuine family-centered patient experience.

Education Qualifications

• High School Diploma / GED - Required
• Bachelor's Degree - Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least two (2) years interpreting experience in healthcare - Required
• At least two (2) years of international life experience, especially serving international clientele in a work environment - Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• STRONG LINGUISTIC SKILLS
• interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness
• understands variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers
• self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction
• strong writing skills and understanding of document translation process
• STRONG INTERPRETING SKILLS
• appropriately explains role of the interpreter to patients and providers
• sets tone of the patient-clinician encounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication to preserve accuracy and completeness, and to assess and address potential areas of discomfort for patient (age, gender of interpreter, no previous experience with interpreters, etc.)
• selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation (i.e., consecutive, sight translation, simultaneous)
• picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification
• maintains transparency by clearly differentiating interpreted renditions and speaking turns on their own behalf
• encourages and fosters direct communication between clinicians or staff and patient family
• maintains professional boundaries and integrity
• chooses appropriate moment to clarify or intervene by respecting the goals of the encounter
• CULTURAL AWARENESS COMPETENCIES
• recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and risk factors of language and cultural differences
• uses culturally appropriate behavior
• avoids generalizations and stereotyping
• understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of individuals regarding notions of health and illness, etc.; uses this understanding to empower patients and clinicians to better understand each other.
• is aware of own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations, is able to acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may interfere with successful interpretation
• ETHICAL COMPETENCY
• understands and abides by hospital policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination
• refrains from counseling or advising patient family
• abides by professional code of ethics for interpreters
• withdraws from the encounter when a conflict of interest arises
• CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS
• projects positive attitude about the organization and proactively offers services to ensure positive experience
• respects spatial and visual privacy preferences of patient family
• works as a team with colleagues and providers
• diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial under stress
• addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging clinicians or staff to make appropriate referral and/or appointments with appropriate resources
• ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
• works well under pressure to manage stressful situations
• flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes
• ability to handle multiple tasks with attention to detail and accuracy
• arrives on time to patient family appointments
• COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
• ability to use mobile phone and Microsoft Office suite for communications and scheduling;
• ability to navigate electronic platforms for completion of telehealth assignments, virtual group meetings, etc.
• ability to use using electronic business platforms for payroll, documentation, compliance, etc.

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) - CCHI - within 12 months - Required or
• Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) - NBCMI - within 12 months - Required or
• Certified Interpreter - National Accreditation Authority for Translations and Interpreters (NAATI) - within 12 months - Required

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

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SALARY RANGE:

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.