Spanish Interpreter

Spanish Interpreter

Department: PCH-NW | Language Services

Location

Phoenix

Shift: Mon-Fri, (Days Vary), Days, 8am-4:30pm

Category: Interpreter & Translation Svcs

Posting #: 1060270

Employee Type: Full-Time

**Position Summary** This position provides language interpretation services between patients, families and healthcare teams to ensure comprehension of cultural considerations during treatment planning. Provides accurate, complete, and culturally responsive spoken-language interpretation between patients and families with limited English proficiency (LEP) and the healthcare team, so that patients receive safe, equitable care. Interprets in inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and procedural settings, in person and by telephone or video as assigned. Performs the role in accordance with the national certification standards (e.g., NBCMI or CCHI (Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters) uses to define the profession: the NCIHC National Code of Ethics and National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care, and the competencies assessed by the CoreCHI™ and CHI™ certifications. Manages the flow of communication, preserves meaning without adding, omitting, or distorting content, and intervenes only to support accurate communication, cultural understanding, or patient safety.

Position Duties

• Concurrently performs bilingual interpretation (English and target language) of patient care communication between patient, family, and health care team members to ensure understanding of needs, issues, and/or concerns. Consecutive interpretation following national standards of practice and ethics, including:
• Conducts a brief pre-session with the provider (purpose of the encounter, sensitive topics, special needs) and introduces the interpreter role, confidentiality, and first-person interpreting to all parties.
• Uses consecutive mode as the default; uses simultaneous mode when appropriate (e.g., rapid exchanges, group or emergency settings) and sight translates short documents such as consents, discharge instructions, and medication labels.
• Renders the complete message, including register, tone, and emotional content, without adding, omitting, summarizing, or editorializing.
• Positions self and manages turn-taking to support direct communication between patient and provider.
• Uses accurate medical terminology across specialties (e.g., pediatrics, oncology, surgery, behavioral health, pharmacology) and requests repetition or clarification when needed.
• Interprets high-stakes encounters, including informed consent, end-of-life and bad-news conversations, rapid-response events, and behavioral health assessments.
• Perform a post-session check with the provider when appropriate.

• Manages the interpreting encounter and intervene appropriately to ensure accurate communication, cultural understanding, and patient safety.
• Recognizes when communication breaks down and intervenes transparently, informing all parties of what was said and to whom.
• Requests clarification of unclear terms and asks speakers to pause or slow down, and flags possible misunderstandings.
• Acts as a cultural clarifier by identifying cultural, religious, or health-belief factors that may affect care, without stereotyping or speaking for the patient.
• Advocates, within ethical limits and through appropriate channels, when a patient’s health, safety, or dignity is at risk; escalates to the care team or supervisor as needed.
• Identifies when a different interpreter (e.g., conflict of interest, gender preference, dialect mismatch) or modality (in-person vs. remote) is needed.

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of interpretation activities in the department tracking system and medical record as required.
• Records interpreter name/ID, language, modality, encounter type, and duration for each encounter.
• Reports equipment problems with telephone or video interpreting and any unresolved communication barriers.

• Participates in a variety of department and/or hospital sponsored educational programs to maintain skills and competencies, and completes continuing education required to obtain and maintain CCHI certification.
• Maintains a personal glossary of medical terminology in both languages.

• Works closely and in conjunction with Translator by identifying documents, materials, and other written information, including, but not limited to, consents and discharge information requiring translation.
• Distinguishes sight translation (for immediate understanding) from written translation and does not translate documents without authorization.

• As part of the health care team, refers identified psychosocial issues to social work, child life, pastoral care, or other family centered care departments to ensure appropriate and effective response to patient/family needs.
• Educates staff on working effectively with interpreters, including pre-sessions, first-person speech, and use of qualified interpreters rather than family members or minors.
• Supports compliance with language access requirements, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

• Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.

Phoenix Children's Mission, Vision, & Values Mission To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families

Vision Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.

We realize this vision by:

• Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
• Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
• Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
• Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families

Values

• We place children and families at the center of all we do
• We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
• We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
• We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
• We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable