Language Services Coordinator/Interpreter (ULH)

Overview:

We are Hiring at UofL Health-University Hospital!

Location: 530 S. Jackson Street Louisville, KY 40202

Shift: First Shift/Full Time

About Us

UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital.

Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, UofL Health is committed to providing patients with access to the most advanced care available. This includes clinical trials, collaboration on research and the development of new technologies to both save and improve lives. With more than 14,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care. For more information on UofL Health, go to www.UofLHealth.org.

Our Mission
As an academic health care system, we will transform the health of the communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care.

Job Summary

Coordinator and Interpreter of Language Services duties and responsibilities include providing support to ensure efficient operation of the department on campus at UofL Health. Will support the manager and staff interpreters through organization and communication with the team with daily inpatient interpreter needs as well as scheduling requests for UofL Health system wide.

This position will provide interpreter services as needed for patients, families, staff, visitors, physicians, and others regarding consents, medical treatments, discharges, instructions, and other concerns as needed. The interpreter in this position will accurately and completely convey information between patient and provider; manage the flow of communication; facilitate rapport between the provider and patient; recognize and address clarifications both cultural and in language to ensure accurate and complete understanding. These duties enable patients and families to effectively communicate which allows UofL Health to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Other duties include assisting the manager in problem-solving with patient and family communication needs and proactively identifying opportunities for improving services to our limited English proficient (LEP)/Deaf/ HOH patient and family population.

Coordinator Functions (65%)
• Answers pages for interpreting needs and dispatches team members to designated areas
• Maintains the coordination and scheduling of staff interpreters for inpatient immediate needs on daily basis
• Answers phone calls and direct calls in appropriate and timely manner; may provide information in response to inquiries and educate staff on resources available

• Maintains responsibility for transporting VRI (Video Remote Interpreter) to areas within facilities upon request; tracks floating VRI locations
• Schedules staff and agency interpreters for outpatient appointments and inpatient services, as needed, across the system; effectively prioritizes and manages incoming requests with great attention to detail
• Utilizes scheduling platforms with agency and notifies providers when alternative sources must be used
• May provide general support to manager in preparation of educational materials & notices for facilities, data collection, projects and other needs as they arise

Interpreter Functions (35%)
• Perform interpretation (and/or translation) for limited- and non-English speaking patients, families, staff and visitors. Interpreted information includes, but is not limited to, giving directions and instructions for medical care, explaining hospital policies and procedures, informing and obtaining medical consents, and providing other verbal interpretation as needed to ensure a positive patient and family experience.
• Educate hospital staff, physicians, and clinicians on the importance of using interpretation and translations services when needed. Services may include the proper use of over-the-phone, video remote and in-person interpreters, and accessing translated forms and/or other auxiliary aids.
• Ensure that patients and families understand the information presented, seeking assistance and clarification when needed. Act as an advocate for patients and ensure that they are comfortable with what is happening in their medical treatment and that anxiety is reduced.
• Appropriately and regularly document time spent interpreting during encounters as directed by manager.
• Investigate and problem-solve communication issues for limited English-speaking persons.
• Remain current on the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field of language assistance/interpretation/translation and incorporates appropriate ideas into a clinical setting.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc. that impact language assistance and ensure compliance in all areas.

• May be asked to conduct, prepare, assist or participate in internal medical interpretation and translation classes and/or other educational programs to enhance cultural competency and language services compliance of the general hospital population.
• Travel, as needed, to other locations within the UofL Health system.
• Maintain a professional presence with patients and families.
• Maintain positive working relationships with staff and physicians, including manager and fellow interpreters.
• Acquires continuing education credits of at least four (4) hours per year, OR the amount required for national certification and/or KY license renewal, if applicable
• Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards of conduct
• Complies with HIPAA privacy and security requirements to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education:
• High School Diploma (required)
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in a social science field or language. (preferred)
• Successful completion of hospital approved interpretation training program, such as Bridging the Gap, 40 hours minimum (required)
• Documentation of successful completion of a hospital approved language proficiency assessment. (required)

Experience:
• 1 year of administrative or assistant experience (preferred)
• Prior experience in medical interpretation. (required)
• Minimum two years’ experience in medical interpretation (preferred)

Licensure:

Certification:
• Successful completion of a nationally recognized certification process. CMI (National Board of Medical Interpreters) or CHI (Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters) national certification (highly preferred)

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