Healthcare Interpreter

At Cleveland Clinic Health System, we believe in a better future for healthcare. And each of us is responsible for honoring our commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries and transforming the patient experience, every day.

We all have the power to help, heal and change lives — beginning with our own. That’s the power of the Cleveland Clinic Health System team, and The Power of Every One.

Job Title

Healthcare Interpreter

Location

Cleveland

Facility

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Department

GPS Intnl Center-Operations

Job Code

U99897

Shift

Days

Schedule

8:30am-5:00pm

Job Summary

Job Details

Join Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus where research and surgery are advanced, technology is leading-edge, patient care is world-class, and caregivers are family. Cleveland Clinic is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the country. At Cleveland Clinic, you will work alongside passionate and dedicated caregivers, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world. 

Healthcare Interpreters serve patients and caregivers to support the operations of the department in consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation modes. You’ll relay medical information between speakers of two different languages while complying with all office and hospital policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent. Our PRN caregivers are “as needed” and this group traditionally works Monday through Friday from 8AM – 5PM. Their hours are based on patient needs but work 20 hours per week on average. PRN caregivers might need to interpret over the phone remotely after hours and/or on the weekend based on volume.

The ideal future caregiver is someone who: 

• Thrives in a team environment. 
• Is culturally competent, reliable and professional. 
• Effectively handles complex situations and learns new processes. 
• Has knowledge of medical terminology. 

In this role, you will serve patients’ needs, touch lives and make everlasting impacts. Opportunities for promotions, learning new skills and a supportive team will help you build a rewarding career, here at Cleveland Clinic. 

At Cleveland Clinic, we know what matters most. That’s why we treat our caregivers as if they are our own family, and we are always creating ways to be there for you. Here, you’ll find that we offer: resources to learn and grow, a fulfilling career for everyone, and comprehensive benefits that invest in your health, your physical and mental well-being and your future. When you join Cleveland Clinic, you’ll be part of a supportive caregiver family that will be united in shared values and purpose to fulfill our promise of being the best place to receive care and the best place to work in healthcare. 

Responsibilities:

• Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers.
• Explain hospital resources, office protocols, and limitations to clinicians and patients; make appropriate referrals; serve as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes.
• Performs duties in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation.
• Adheres to hospital policies on customer relations and hospitality.
• Understands the hospital’s system of service delivery.
• Written translations as required in patient encounters such as filling out forms and medical instructions, and medication schedules; administrative translations such as letters to patients, documents, and patient materials.
• Support the office operations by answering the phone, taking requests, calling patients to confirm appointments, document encounters on the interpreter tracking system, do data entry, verify and schedule future appointments when necessary, do general troubleshooting, filing and photocopying.
• Also assists department with on-the-job training and mentoring of interpreter practicums.
• Utilize on-line computer systems such as Outlook, and other hospital software.
• Assists the department by working an on-call rotation (nights, weekends, holidays, etc.) to support patient needs.
• Work with special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in any area related to science or human services preferred.
• High School Diploma / GED or equivalent required.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and one or more foreign languages, both oral and written.
• Ability to accurately work in consecutive mode and sight translate into and from working language(s).

Certifications:

• Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) by Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) or Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) by National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) certification or other healthcare interpreting certificate preferred.
• Must possess a valid State Driver’s License and maintain automobile insurance coverage.
• Must obtain Ohio license within 30 days of start date.

Complexity of Work:

• High level of customer service and a positive approach
• Familiarity and ability to work with diversity of cultural/socio-economic backgrounds
• General knowledge of cultural backgrounds of patients to be served
• Good interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills
• Knowledge of computer systems

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience as an interpreter required.
• Strong medical vocabulary required.
• Medical interpreting in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Professional interpreting experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• May require extended periods of standing, walking or sitting.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform work on a PC or mobile device. 

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our tobacco free and drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substance and nicotine. All offers of employment are follwed by testing for controlled substances and nicotine. All new caregivers must clear a nicotine test within their 90-day new hire period. Candidates for employment who are impacted by Cleveland Clinic Health System’s Smoking Policy will be permitted to reapply for open positions after one year.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility. 

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster. 

Cleveland Clinic Health System is pleased to be an equal employment employer: Women / Minorities / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

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