Communications Specialist, Portuguese Or Spanish (Per Diem)

Under the direction of the manager, the incumbent serves as a medical interpreter for patients and staff and supports the operations of the department, in the consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation modes.

• Provides consecutive interpretation face to face, over the phone, and by video in all clinical settings, in line with national interpreter standards of practice and code of ethics.

• Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in compliance with all office and hospital policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent, passing performance of competencies listed in the IMIA and NCIHC Standards of Practice, and the Code of Ethics

• Assists department with on-the-job training and mentoring of interpreter internships.

• Responds and schedules requests for interpreters and effective communications services.

• Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers.

• Provides interpreting services between patients and clinicians during in-person and tele-interpreting, both written and orally.

• Acts as a liaison between staff and patients within Cape Cod Healthcare entities.

• Ability to accurately translate and edit written documents for all facilities. Strong writing skills and understanding of translation process

• Arranges for interpreter services for patients and assists with the coordination of translation needs, as necessary, including the use of the language lines and video units.

• Assists with marketing and community outreach activities.

• Selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation. Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation modes.

• Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction

• Picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification

• Understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party about medicine, the encounter, the illness etc.; uses this understanding to empower patient and provider to better understand each other.

• Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages.

• Avoids generalizations and stereotyping.

• Projects positive attitude about the department and the hospital, and offers services to ensure positive experience.

• Works as a team with colleagues and providers

• Addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging provider to make appropriate referral and/or assisting with making of appointment with right resource and booking interpreter as needed

• Organizational skills: - works well under pressure to manage stressful situations - flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes - sound judgment and confidence - ability to handle multiple tasks - detail-oriented and accurate

• Educates, trains, supports and orients new and current staff for all Cape Cod Healthcare entities.

• Compiles information and prepare reports regarding patient, visitors, families and employee interpreter encounters.

• Maintain a strict adherence to patient's rights, community services and CCHC policies, especially confidentiality issues.

• Support the office operations by answering the phone, taking requests, calling patients to confirm appointments, document encounters on the interpreter tracking system, do data entry, verify and schedule future appointments when necessary, do general troubleshooting, filing and photocopying.

• Utilize on-line computer systems such as Outlook, and other hospital software.

• Work with special projects as assigned.

• Participates in diversity program implementation and design as directed by management.

• Perform other work-related duties as assigned or requested.

• Medical Interpreter course required.

• Must have proof of successfully completed minimum 40 hours Medical Interpreter Course or National Certification

• National Certification Preferred.

• High School Diploma or GED plus a minimum of one year basic technical training.

• Fluency in English and one or more foreign languages, both oral and written, with a minimum of Advanced Mid proficiency level according to ACTFL - http://www.actfl.org/files/public/Guidelinesspeak.pdf preferred

• Ability to accurately work in consecutive mode and sight translate into and from working language(s).

• Must speak both fluent English and any one or more of the following languages: Portuguese, Spanish, or Hattian Creole.

• Trilingual candidates preferred.

• Valid US Driver's License. May be required to drive to various CCHC locations.

• Proficient computer skills required.

• Translator Course preferred.

• High level of customer service and a positive approach. Good interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills

• Familiarity and ability to work with diversity of cultural/socio-economic background.

• General knowledge of cultural backgrounds of patients to be served

• Must pass the CCHC Medical Interpreters test or third party Medical Interpreter Exam.