Casual Spanish Interpreter

Description

Lexington Regional Health Center 

Title: Medical Interpreter 

Effective Date: October 24, 2021  

Supervisor: Director of Social Services 

Department: Social Services

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Provides language services to patients with limited English proficiency. Facilitates effective communication between the healthcare provider and patient with limited English proficiency.

2. Edits and proofreads discharge information to accurately reflect the language.

3. Relays concepts and ideas between languages.

4. Conveys written material from one language into another, such as fliers, publications, web pages, etc.  

5. Creates new text into the target language that reproduces the content and style of the organization.

6. Receives and submits material electronically (e.g.: emails translated documents, faxes translated documents, etc). 

7. Uses dictionaries, glossaries, etc. for reference.

8. Interprets/translates language at meetings as necessary.

9. Reads aloud a document in a language other than that which it was written. 

10. Translates patient material and informational brochures issued by the hospital into other languages.

11. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)

12. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.

13. Responsible for proper collection, storage and labeling of biological specimens.

14. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.

15. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (Teamstepps, Just Culture, etc.).

16. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required per scheduleD shift assigned by department leaders. 

17. Must be able to take on-call assignments that are outside of regular worked shifts; if part time or full time status. If employee is causal status, this employee only needs to be available as needed. 

18. Must have the ability to take the hospital’s on call phone for assigned call and/ or personal phone and have means for transportation to get to and from regular working shifts and on call shifts. 

19. On call employees must respond to the first call from requested hospital staff within 30 minutes from the call.

20. Shows respectfulness to patients, visitors, teammates, and leaders at all times.
21. Performs all other duties as assigned

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Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities

1. The ability to read, write, and verbally communicate in both English and 2nd language proficiently.

2. The ability to read, write and think critically as is typically acquired through the completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.

3. Must attend an annual interpreter training provided by the Office of Health Disparities and Health Equity. 

4. Attention to detail necessary to listen attentively to the speaker and provide accurate translation.  

5. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information and follow HIPPA rules.

6. Must be able to perform basic phone and computer skills

7. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level. 

8. Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees and regulatory agencies. 

9. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.  

10. Must be 19 years of age or older due to potential co-signing of medical documents. 

11. Must be able to work with patient, visitors, coworkers, and hospital wide staff
12. Must be able to meet the demands of the required assigned hours by department leaders.
13. Must be able to comply with hospital wide policies and procedures as well as departmental policies and procedures.  

14. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities. 

Working conditions

1. Spends up to 50% of day seated to complete various paper/computer work. The other 50% is spent ambulating and moving around facility to assist with interpreting services. Required to ambulate 700 feet at one time to assist in various departments in the facility. Required to reach heights from 10 inches to 59 inches high to access storage requiring lifting up to 6 pounds. May carry laptop to meetings requiring carrying up to 5 pounds (if in computer bag) and 700 feet in distance. 

2. Works in a normal office work environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, etc.

3. Sitting, walking, or standing for up to 90% of work time when facilitating effective communication. 

4. Subject to infections/communicable disease situations and approximate to chemical, medication, blood and body fluids up to 5% of the work day. 

5. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.  

6. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment. 

Management responsibilities 

1. None

 Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.