Medical Interpreter - Longstreet Clinic - Pediatrics

Job Category

Administrative & Clerical

8 Hr Morning - Afternoon

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

The Medical Interpreter provides a wide range of support services, including providing interpretation and translation activities for non-English speaking patients and families across the entire facility. The interpreter informs departmental leadership of any cultural influences that affect the care and compliance of the patient and acts as a highly visible and accessible patient and family advocate that serves as a liaison between patients and the organization.

The interpreter offers a specific channel for patients and families for information, general assistance, and referral to appropriate resources, ensuring a personal touch to the patient's hospitalization or outpatient service and helping alleviate fears and anxieties for both patient and families. The interpreter is exceptionally responsive to various customer satisfaction issues.

• Licensure or other certifications: 40‑hour Medical Interpretation Certificate, approved at NGHS – must be obtained within 4 months of hire date.
• Educational Requirements:
  
  High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum Experience:
  
  One (1) year of customer service‑related experience. Must be bilingual in both English and an identified foreign language (Spanish).

• Knowledge of medical terminology is helpful.

• Fluent oral/written communication skills in English and Spanish, and the ability to communicate effectively with patients/families, other healthcare staff, and external service providers.
• Provides interpretation and translation services.
• Handles complex, timely, and confidential information with discretion, prioritizes tasks, delivers high quality work with minimal supervision, meets tight deadlines, and works confidentially and sensitively.
• Demonstrates proficiency with computers and computer software.
• Works effectively cross‑culturally.

• Render a complete and accurate interpretation without altering, omitting, or adding anything to the meaning of what is stated or written; verbal interpretation may include profane language.
• Remain neutral in interpretations, allowing each party to express themselves and separate personal belief from those of the other parties.
• Assist with interpretation of unit forms and communication regarding consent forms and obtaining patient signatures.
• Coordinate time with staff and physicians for scheduled appointments for identified foreign language‑speaking patients.
• Assist as needed or as necessary in quality control for translated documents from English to Spanish.
• Enhance customer satisfaction by actively supporting and demonstrating a customer‑service‑oriented approach to the patient experience.
• Identify opportunities for enhancing customer service and improving patient management within the diverse cultural population of the Health System.
• Address culturally based miscommunication when necessary by sharing cultural information with the patient and the provider(s) when relevant to the patient's care.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect patient privacy; perform in a manner that respects HIPAA laws.
• Demonstrate a positive, calm, helpful, respectful, team‑player attitude in situations with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers.
• Present a positive public relations image as caring, courteous, and attentive.
• Assisted Rehabilitation Therapists when required, considering patient safety and modesty by properly draping with items such as sheets, rope, and slippers, and informing the therapist or assistant of any notable patient responses.
• Assist other team members to accomplish their job duties; perform data entry/retrieval and other computer activities as necessary, and accurately complete various documentation required for transactions.
• Visit new inpatients within twelve (12) hours of admission so that patients/families have adequate opportunity to express non‑medical needs, encourage patients to call a representative with any concerns, and maintain accurate daily logs on patient visits.
• Provide information, general assistance, complaint resolution, and referral to appropriate resources for satisfactory solutions to each concern in a pleasant and congenial manner, communicating clearly and relating well to others; answer questions correctly regarding hospital policies, procedures, and refer patient/family to other departments as appropriate.
• Give continuous attention and is exceptionally resp…