Medical Interpreter, Certified/ 40 Hours/ MGH- Interpreter Services

Reporting to the Director of Interpreter Services, the incumbent provides medical interpretation for clinical and non-clinical encounters to enable communication between patients and families with limited English proficiency (LEP); and clinicians and other hospital staff. Interpretation will be provided in person, by telephone and by video in compliance with the National Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, MGH policies and Medical Interpreter Services guidelines to ensure patient safety and access to quality care.

Education:

Required: High school diploma and National Certification (CMI, CHI, QMI, CoreCHI).

Preferred is Bachelors Degree

Strong Linguistic Skills:

• Fluency in English and Spanish
• Understands variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers
• Selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation
• Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness
• Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction
• Picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification
• Strong writing skills and understanding of translation process

Strong Cultural Awareness Competencies:

• 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.
• Avoids generalizations and stereotyping
• Uses culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time to clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter
• Aware of own personal values and implicit biases, beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations, is able to acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may interfere with successful interpretation
• Has a respect for diversity and works to achieve equity through inclusion on the interpreter team, the healthcare team and throughout the hospital
• Navigates different cultures within the interpreting context and provides a cultural bridge between provider and patient

Strong Interpreting Skills:

• Recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and added factor of linguistic barrier
• 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)
• Encourages and fosters direct communication between provider and patient
• Maintains professional distance and integrity
• Diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial
• Clarifies instructions, follow up steps in a diplomatic, effective manner

Ethical Competency:

• Understands and abides by hospital policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination and by national interpreter standards of practice and code of ethics
• Introduces themselves and explains role of the interpreter to patient and provider
• Maintains transparency
• Maintains appropriate boundaries guided by the code of ethics and standards of practice

Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills:

• Projects positive attitude about the department and the hospital, and offers services to ensure positive experience
• Works as a team with colleagues and providers
• Huddles with team to ascertain context and goals for the encounter
• Addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging provider to make appropriate referral and/or assisting with making of appointment with right resource and booking interpreter as needed

Organizational Skills:

• Ability to work well under pressure to manage stressful situations
• Flexibility to meet scheduling needs and handle unpredictable changes
• Sound judgment and confidence
• Ability to handle multiple tasks
• Attention to detail
• Time management skills

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.