Medical Interpreter – Taunton

The Medical Interpreter facilitates communication between patients with limited English proficiency and healthcare providers, ensuring accurate and complete interpretation in clinical and administrative settings. This role supports equitable access to care by promoting understanding, patient autonomy, and cultural sensitivity.

Core Responsibilities:

• Interpret spoken language between patients and providers in real time (consecutively and/or simultaneously) in clinical appointments, procedures, and community health activities.
• Translate simple written documents such as consent forms, discharge instructions, and educational materials.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and institutional policies.
• Act as a cultural broker to help providers understand cultural nuances that may impact care.
• Log interpreted encounters and maintain records for quality assurance and reporting.
• Participate in training, assessments, and continuing education related to language access and cultural competency.
• Support outreach and community health initiatives as needed.
• Provide accurate and complete interpretation (consecutive and/or simultaneous) for patients and providers in a variety of healthcare settings, including medical exams, mental health counseling, dental visits, and community outreach.
• Translate basic written documents, including forms, instructions, patient education materials, and signage as needed.
• Assist patients with navigating the healthcare system, including scheduling appointments, understanding insurance processes, and following care instructions.
• Serve as a cultural liaison to help bridge gaps in understanding related to customs, beliefs, and behaviours that may influence patient health and compliance.
• Support front desk and registration staff with LEP patient interactions during check-in and check-out procedures.
• Educate providers and staff on working effectively with interpreters and patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Monitor and report any language access issues or patient concerns to the Language Access Coordinator or Clinic Manager.
• Assist with quality improvement initiatives related to language access services and patient satisfaction.
• Maintain accurate logs of interpretation services, including time spent, languages used, and types of appointments.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities related to health equity, cultural competence, and interpreting standards.
• Ensure compliance with all privacy, confidentiality, and ethical standards as outlined in the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care.
• Assist in onboarding and mentoring new interpreters or bilingual staff, as requested.
• Support community health fairs, workshops, or outreach events by providing interpretation and cultural support.
• Adapt interpretation strategies to meet the needs of patients with disabilities, low literacy, or complex health conditions.

Minimum Skills, Experience and Educational Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent (associates or bachelors degree preferred).
• 1-3 years related work experience preferred.
• Knowledge of client advocacy, resources and the local community.
• Must have certification as a navigator or certified application counselor.
• Must have language certification.
• Formal medical interpreting training required as appropriate.
• Excellent organizational skills, the ability to set priorities, report on activities and outcomes, and problem solving skills.
• Must have reliable means of transportation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Critical Demands of the Job:

• Bi-lingual capacity preferred for outreach to underserved and hard to reach populations.
• Manage multiple requests and prioritize appropriately.
• Must be able to consistently demonstrate integrity, compassion and respect, diversity and teamwork, excellence and innovation in work activities and interactions.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced setting with a variety of patients and staff.
• Attention to details and prompt follow up.
• Includes walking and standing for long periods of time, sitting for short periods of time, hand dexterity, clear hearing and speaking ability. Must be able to lift a minimum of 1/3 of their body weight.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Required Certifications and Licenses:

• Medical Interpretation Certification required.

Working Conditions:

• Works in well-lighted environment with comfortable surroundings.
• Stressful at times due to competing demands, including attention to multiple patients and staff.
• Will comply with all applicable laws, and will cooperate with the Manet Community Health Center compliance program rules and regulations.

Required Availability:

• May be required to work evenings, holidays or weekends.