Language Interpreter

*Bilingual in Spanish is preferred

*Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

*Location:6560 Fannin St.  Houston, TX 77030 (Scurlock Tower)

At Houston Methodist, the Language Interpreter position is responsible for serving as an interpreter for domestic non-English speaking patients at Houston Methodist, negotiating the meaning of words and ideas that do not have equivalence in the other language. The Language Interpreter position provides an effective management of the flow of communication between patient and medical staff and may require considerable experience, skill and knowledge of organization's policies and practices, demonstrating an understanding of the connection between the language and the culture of the speakers of the language.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interprets, audible or physical, stated instructions such as informed consent, discharge instructions and medications instructions, and explained by health care providers.

• Utilizes proper positioning, gaze, and intervention strategies.

• Identifies potential customer problems and resolves patient and visitor interpreter issues with the highest level of customer service, professionalism and compassion. Provides an effective management of the flow of communication between patient and medical staff.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Recommends initiatives to improve department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides interpretation services for domestic, non-English speaking patients throughout the hospital and physicians' offices.

• Negotiates the meaning of words and ideas that do not have equivalence in the other language, (culturally bound terms such as idioms, sayings, slang and some technical terminology). Accurately utilizes the difference between true and false cognates (words in different languages that are or appear to be related in meaning).

• Contributes towards improvement of hospital scores for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs problem definition and resolution activities, following managerial review, as appropriate. Follows up on action items to ensure completion of assignments, ensuring all deadlines are met.

• Protects patient and family privacy rights and maintains confidentiality of patient records, as well as protects the integrity of privileged information.

• Participates in department quality improvement processes. Contributes towards improving department/practice quality and safety scores.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides appropriate documentation/tracking system for each domestic non-English speaking patient. Uses sound judgement and fiscal responsibility, as appropriate.

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Patriciates in innovative solutions for process improvement to make processes work better for patients, visitors, and department.

• Seeks continuous professional development opportunities. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or four years of interpreter experience in a medical setting in lieu of degree (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• None