Spanish Medical Interpreter

Spanish Medical Interpreter Job Category: Healthcare Support RequisitionNumber: SPANI001121 Full-Time On-site Springfield, MA 01103, USASalary/Status: Non-Exempt Department: Interpreter Services Hours: 40 hrsa week Minimum Requirements: Associates Degree or High School Diploma orequivalent background and experience. Complete fluency in English andthe target language. Experience either in a broad medical field orcompletion of a medical Interpreter training program. High level of oraland written communication skills in target language and English; abilityto prepare effective reports. Ability to make effective presentations tolarge groups of people. Must possess the ability of positively interactwith patients, staff personnel, visitors and the general public. Mustshow discretion in the handling of confidential information. Mustpossess the ability to work independently, problem solve and makesensible decisions for the well-being of the patient. Strongorganizational skills Ability to use a computer to track patient flow,word process and schedule patients. Friendly, reliable, and professionalboth in behavior and appearance. Ability to establish and maintaineffective working relationships with other employees, individualsseeking assistance and the general public. Principle Responsibilitiesand Duties: Understand a variety of regional accents and linguisticstyles for target language. Select appropriate mode of interpretationfor each situation. Interpret with highest degree of accuracy andcompleteness in verbal interpretation, sight interpretation modes andwritten translation. Self-correct, understand own linguisticlimitations, seeks clarification and accepts corrections. Pick up cuesfrom encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or needfor clarification. Strong writing skill and understanding of translationprocess. Cultural awareness: Understand language as an expression ofculture recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party aboutmedicine, the encounter, the illness etc.; uses this understanding toempower patient and provider to better understand each other. Interveneas intercultural mediator when communication is compromised byculture-bound messages. Avoid generalizations and stereotyping. Useculturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate timeto clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter. Beaware of own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics whichmay be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations, is ableto acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these mayinterfere with successful interpretation. Strong interpreting skills:Explain role of the interpreter to patient, providers and other medicalstaff. Recognize the complexity of the clinical encounter and addedfactor of linguistic barrier. Set a tone of the patient and providerencounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication topreserve accuracy and completeness, and to assess and address potentialareas of discomfort for patient. Encourages and fosters directcommunication between provider and patient. Maintain professionaldistance and integrity. Diffuse conflict between parties by remainingcalm and impartial. Clarify instructions; follow up steps in adiplomatic and effective manner. Ethical: Understand and abide by healthcenter?s policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent,non-discrimination and by interpreter's code of ethics and standards ofpractice. Advocacy: Address concerns raised during or after an encounterby encouraging involved parties to make appropriate referrals to patientnavigators or inform managers to address the matter. SEE THE CARINGHEALTH CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION

Created: 2026-03-02