Summary

Provides accurate interpretation and translation of critical medical information in direct service to physicians and/or other health care providers who are seeing patients who cannot speak or understand English, when specifically required by the provider.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Precisely and accurately interprets critical medical advice and information given by the provider into equivalent terminology in the patient's native language.
2. Assists in translating medical text from English on behalf of internal and external customers; may translate patient education information as specifically requested.
3. Establishes and maintains quality service and positive interaction with all patients, customers, visitors, health care providers, and clinical employees.
4. Assists with patient follow-up as necessary, to include contacting patients with appointment reminders.
5. Maintains strict patient confidentiality in accordance with HSC policies and standards.
6. Participates, as a condition of assignment, in continuing annual medical interpreter/ translator training provided through UNM Hospital.
7. Provides occasional services outside of normal working hours on as as-needed basis.
8. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; at least 2 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure Interpreter/Translator Certificate and/or Certificate of Competency from an approved Interpreter/Translator training program.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Fluency in relevant foreign language(s).
• Current knowledge of medical terminology and procedures.
• Ability to precisely and accurately translate critical medical information from English to the patient's native language.
• Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and customer service orientation.
• Foreign language(s) written translation skills.
• Listening skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to interact and communicate with people over the telephone, often in stressful situations.
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours as needed.

Conditions of Employment

• Must successfully pass the UNMH Interpreter/Translator Medical Qualification Test
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work is performed in an interior medical/clinical environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required.
• Work may involve some exposure to operating circumstances that require following standard or prescribed safety precautions.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 03/20/2017