Student Veterans of America Jobs

This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/5859356

Interpreter (Central) (Flagstaff, AZ)

North Country HealthCare is a non-profit health organization comprised of 15 clinics throughout 12 communities in Northern Arizona. Our focus is to create healthier communities and ensure that not one person is without access to Primary Care.

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English/Spanish Speakers Only

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Under the supervision of the Clinic Manager, the incumbent serves as an interpreter for patients and staff and supports the operations of the department, in the consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation modes. Relays medical information between speakers of two different languages in compliance with all office and policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent, passing performance of competencies listed in the Code of Ethics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers.
2. Explain resources, office protocols, and limitations to clinicians and patients.
3. Make appropriate referrals and serve as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes.
4. Performs duties in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation.
5. Assess and monitor the patient understanding of information conveyed.
6. Provide follow-up in person and by telephone with patients regarding appointments, pre-visit chart preparation, laboratory results, etc...
7. Document translation (i.e. written translations of forms and medical instructions, medication schedules, administrative translations such as letters to patients, documents, and patient materials).
8. Support the office operations by answering the phone, taking requests, calling patients to confirm appointments, some data entry, verify and schedule future appointments when necessary, do general troubleshooting, filing and photocopying as necessary.
9. Assists department with on-the-job training and mentoring of interpreter/translator internships.
10. Utilize on-line computer systems such as Outlook, word, excel, and other clinic software.
11. Work with special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong linguistic skills:

1. Understands variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers
2. Selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation
3. Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation modes
4. Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction
5. Picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification
6. Strong writing skills and understanding of translation process

Strong cultural awareness competencies:

1. Understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party about medicine, the encounter, the illness etc.; uses this understanding to empower patient and provider to better understand each other
2. Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages
3. Avoids generalizations and stereotyping
4. Uses culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time to clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter
5. Is aware of own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations, is able to acknowled ge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may interfere with successful interpretation

Strong interpreting skills:

1. Explains role of the interpreter to patient and provider
2. Recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and added factor of linguistic barrier
3. Sets tone of the patient/provider encounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication to preserve accuracy and completeness, and to assess and address potential areas of discomfort for patient (age, gender of interpreter, no previous experience with interpreters)
4. Encourages and fosters direct communication between provider and patient
5. Maintains professional distance and integrity
6. Diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial
7. Clarifies instructions, follow up steps in a diplomatic, effective manner

Ethical competency:

1. Understands and abides by clinical policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination and by interpreters code of ethics and standards of practice

Interpersonal and customer service skills:

Projects positive attitude about the department and the clinic, and offer