Interpreter: Per Diem - Joslin Diabetes Center

Overview

The Per Diem Interpreter interprets and translates services for limited-English speaking patients and employees at Joslin Diabetes Center in fulfillment of Joslin’s commitment to serve its employees and the community at large.

In particular, we are currently seeking:

• Portuguese
• Cape Verdean
• Haitian/Creole
• Korean
• Japanese
• Vietnamese
• ASL
• Cantonese/Mandarin
• Spanish 

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. We require that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for interpreting for the clinical volume that presents during the shift along with any administrative requirements without limitation. 
• Responds to individuals and departments in a timely and respectful manner and demonstrates a team approach. 
• Relays patient-provider communications requiring interpretation in person, via phone, video and/or letter. Provides assistance, as needed, with patient registration, reminder and cancellation calls, provider calls and other communications as requested. 
• Enables Medical Center Staff to better meet the needs of limited-English speaking patients and employees; e.g., interpretation between health care providers and patients, including translating consent forms and other written materials as needed; interprets during procedures performed. 
• Keeps accurate statistical data as required.
•  Maintains and improves expertise through appropriate continuing education. Participates in training and informational sessions as they become available and as required by manager. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural aspects of patient care in the US and target culture as well as excellent cross cultural skills to provide satisfactory interface between cultures to best serve varying socio economic levels of health care literacy, and be a cultural broker between differing cultural beliefs and practices. 
• Abides by the Massachusetts Interpreter Association’s Code of Ethics and the MMIA Standards of Practice. 
• Performs on-call responsibilities: Ensures availability during assigned on-call hours or scheduled appointments. 
• May be asked to assist with other departmental tasks as required. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelors degree preferred.
• 1-3 years related work experience required.
• Formal medical interpreter training and completed certificate program preferred.
• Experience with computer systems required, including web based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access.
• Satisfactory fluency in English and target language(s) at a level that ensures accurate and understandable interpretation. Satisfactory proficiency in medical terminology (i.e., basic anatomy, physiology and diagnostic procedures and treatments) at a level that ensures accurate interpretation.
• Interpreters are expected to wear, when appropriate/required, protective equipment including lead aprons, scrubs for the O.R. and other equipment mentioned under Social/Environmental Requirements.