Interpreter

**Interpreter**

**Job Details**

**Job Location**

87 North Clinton Ave - Rochester, NY

**Position Type**

Per Diem

**Education Level**

High School Diploma or GED

**Salary Range**

$20.00 - $24.00 Hourly

**Travel Percentage**

Up to 20%

**Job Shift**

Various

**Job Category**

Family Services

**Description**

**General Description**

Under general supervision, the incumbent serves as a medical and community interpreter for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals served by Language Services customers in the consecutive or simultaneous translation modes. Relays critical information between speakers of two different languages in compliance with Language Services and its customers policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent, adhering to the Language Services Standard of Performance, and the Medical Interpreters Code of Ethics. Effectively supports ongoing and collaborative communication amongst all program staff, and is responsible for ensuring a trauma informed care environment.

We encourage your application for ANY language, but we are specifically seeking Interpreters for the following languages:

Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Karen, Nepali, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**

+ Helps facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers for internal and external Language Services customers.

+ Interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness in consecutive or simultaneous translation modes.

+ Self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction.

+ Practices active listening and picks up cues from participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification, as well as understanding of interpretation process.

+ Understands language as an expression of culture and uses this to empower patient and provider to better understand each other.

+ Explains role of the interpreter to patient and provider.

+ Recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and added factor of linguistic barrier.

+ Sets tone of the patient/provider encounter to manage 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.

+ Understands and abides by Language Services and its customers policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination and by interpreters code of ethics and standards of practice.

+ Serves as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers to contribute to successful outcomes.

+ Intervenes as intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture-bound messages.

+ Avoids generalizations and stereotyping

+ Uses culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time to clarify or interject.

+ Is aware of own personal values, 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.

+ Utilize on-line computer systems such as Outlook and medical interpreter scheduling software on your Apple or Android smart phone.

+ Flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes.

+ Maintains composure and a professional demeanor under stressful, distracting, or challenging situations.

+ Participates in relevant Agency meetings and/or trainings

+ Actively pursues development of professional competencies related to job role performance through reading, supervision, in-service training.

+ Awareness of and active support of the Agency's Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan.

_Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive. Employees are required to follow appropriate supervisory direction and perform other related duties as required._

**Qualifications**

**Qualifications**

**Education:** High School diploma or GED is required. Associates Degree in a related field preferred. Equivalent Combination of education and experience will be considered.

**Credentials:** Valid and clean NYS Drivers License. Medical and/or Community Interpreter course or comparable training is required.

**Experience:** Ability to speak English and at least one additional language. Minimum of one year of experience providing language interpreting services on a paid or volunteer capacity. Must be proficient with Microsoft Outlook, and experience with online-based platforms is preferred. Experience working in multicultural environments and/or human services field is preferred.