Interpreter I

General Summary

Facilitates the communication process between providers and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients and their families by providing medical interpretation services and translation of written medical communications. Assists providers with all communications of medical information, including but not limited to consents, patient assessments, explanation of all medical procedures and treatments to ascertain through careful questioning, ensuring the patient understands the explanations and instructions they have received.

Duties and Responsibilities
Remote Work Capable
Essential Functions:

• Maintains confidentiality as required by HIPAA, WellSpan policy and adhere to the Medical Interpreter Code of Ethics.
• Generates reports in Epic; use reports to round with patients in hospital settings and to provide services in off-site settings
• Assists the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients and their families in coping with illness and the associated stress by interpreting and translating medical instructions and procedures. Documents encounters in Epic.
• Assists LEP patients with completion of various healthcare forms as needed with the corresponding department.
• Provides emotional support by listening to patient and family concerns and communicating with the clinical care team for additional clarification.
• Translates written communications and materials from the targeted language to English and from English to the targeted language.
• Serves as a liaison between patients and healthcare providers. Communicates providers' recommendations to patients. Strong medical terminology vocabulary preferred.
• Educates staff on resources available for limited English proficient patients and the importance of language services in conjunction with system policies to maintain compliance for accreditation and licensure.
• Serves as a cultural broker so that a comprehensive and culturally sensitive assessment may be performed.
• Assists in the development and presentation of training programs designed to enhance the employee's understanding of the cultural needs of LEP patients. Help WellSpan become a model of cultural proficiency.
• Obtains instructions and clarification from other interpreters to provide follow up services to patients and their families.
• Provides cross-coverage for emergency situations, time off, and other staffing needs. Is willing to work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays as needed, on shifts other than the one hired, and to perform on call as needed or required.

Common Expectations:

• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, In-service meetings, and workshops.
• Provides outstanding service to all patients, fosters teamwork, and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.
• Is proficient in navigation, documenting and generating reports of interpretation assignments within Epic.
• Manages all forms of communication, including voicemail, Epic secure chat, emails, and Teams messages; ensures prompt return calls to the practices when needed.
• Attends meetings as required.

Required for All Jobs:

• Performs other related duties as identified.
• WellSpan Health has adopted and implemented a compliance program to support WellSpan's values and standards for professionalism, integrity, and ethics. Expected to support and meet the values and standards of the organization and the performance expectations of the job, the department, and the compliance program.
• WellSpan Health has adopted and implemented a privacy program to safeguard the patient information and the business and operational information of the organization. Expected to support and meet the values and standards of the organization to safeguard patient and business/operational information.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Physical Demands:

• Standing - Occasionally
• Walking - Occasionally
• Sitting - Frequently
• Reaching - Rarely
• Talking - Frequently
• Hearing - Frequently
• Repetitive Motions - Occasionally
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Occasionally

Working Environment:

• Occupational Hazards - Occasionally

Travel Requirements:

• Estimated Amount: - Subject to travel as assigned.

Qualifications
Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required
• Certificate Program Preferred or
• Associates Degree Preferred

Work Experience:

• 1 year Experience in interpreting in a medical setting. Required

Courses and Training:

• Medical Interpreter Certification Training within 180 days Required
• Certificate from an Accredited 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program. Upon Hire Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Fluent in reading, writing, speaking, and translating English and targeted languages.
• Medical terminology.