Healthcare Sign Language Interpreter

Healthcare Sign Language Interpreter

Hiring Department:
Department of Psychiatry

Position Open To:
All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled

Hours:

20

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest

Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Dell Medical School is looking for a Healthcare Sign Language Interpreter. This position has an end date of 8/31/2027, renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward goals.

The Healthcare Sign Language Interpreter facilitates communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing patients and healthcare providers, ensuring accurate and culturally sensitive interpretation of medical information. Reporting to the Lead Healthcare Sign Language Interpreter, this role supports a Deaf healthcare professional within a designated interpreter team model and collaborates closely with physicians, behavioral health clinicians, nurses, and administrative staff to support pediatric patient care.

Key responsibilities include interpreting during medical consultations, translating written materials, and advocating for patients' linguistic needs.

• Provides accurate and timely interpretation during medical consultations, procedures, and patient education sessions with mental/behavioral health specialization.
• Ensures clear communication between patients and healthcare providers.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and adheres to HIPAA regulations.
• Maintains awareness and monitoring of hearing-deaf power differentials and strive to minimize them

• Translates medical documents, consent forms, and patient education materials.
• Ensures translations are accurate and culturally appropriate.
• Reviews and updates translated materials as needed.

• Advocates for patients' linguistic and cultural needs within the healthcare system.
• Educates healthcare providers on cultural sensitivities and effective communication strategies.
• Assists patients in understanding their rights and available resources.

• Provides training to healthcare staff on effective use of interpreter services.
• Develops and updates training materials.
• Participates in continuing education to stay current with medical terminology and best practices.

• Maintains accurate records of interpretation services provided.
• Working with designated interpreter team to schedule interpretation sessions and manages interpreter resources.
• Participates in departmental meetings and quality improvement initiatives.

Other duties as identified by department

• Engages with community organizations to promote interpreter services.

• Provides interpretation services during emergency situations.

• Assists in research projects related to language access and healthcare outcomes.

• Relates well to all kinds of people, builds constructive and effective relationships.
• Examples:
  Builds rapport with patients, communicates effectively with healthcare providers, navigates cultural differences.

• Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers.
• Examples:
  Ensures patient satisfaction, addresses patient concerns promptly, provides high-quality interpretation services.

• Makes sound decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
• Examples:
  Evaluates the accuracy of translations, resolves communication issues, prioritizes interpretation requests.

• Adheres to an appropriate and effective set of core values and beliefs.
• Examples:
  Maintains patient confidentiality, follows ethical guidelines, demonstrates integrity in all interactions.

• Learns quickly when facing new problems, open to change.
• Examples:
  Adapts to new medical terminology, incorporates feedback into practice, stays current with industry trends.

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in (e.g.,…