*Bilingual in Spanish is preferred

*Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

*Location:6560 Fannin St.  Houston, TX 77030 (Scurlock Tower)

At Houston Methodist, the Language Interpreter position is responsible for serving as an interpreter for domestic non-English speaking patients at Houston Methodist, negotiating the meaning of words and ideas that do not have equivalence in the other language. The Language Interpreter position provides an effective management of the flow of communication between patient and medical staff and may require considerable experience, skill and knowledge of organization's policies and practices, demonstrating an understanding of the connection between the language and the culture of the speakers of the language.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interprets, audible or physical, stated instructions such as informed consent, discharge instructions and medications instructions, and explained by health care providers.

• Utilizes proper positioning, gaze, and intervention strategies.

• Identifies potential customer problems and resolves patient and visitor interpreter issues with the highest level of customer service, professionalism and compassion. Provides an effective management of the flow of communication between patient and medical staff.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Recommends initiatives to improve department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides interpretation services for domestic, non-English speaking patients throughout the hospital and physicians' offices.

• Negotiates the meaning of words and ideas that do not have equivalence in the other language, (culturally bound terms such as idioms, sayings, slang and some technical terminology). Accurately utilizes the difference between true and false cognates (words in different languages that are or appear to be related in meaning).

• Contributes towards improvement of hospital scores for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs problem definition and resolution activities, following managerial review, as appropriate. Follows up on action items to ensure completion of assignments, ensuring all deadlines are met.

• Protects patient and family privacy rights and maintains confidentiality of patient records, as well as protects the integrity of privileged information.

• Participates in department quality improvement processes. Contributes towards improving department/practice quality and safety scores.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides appropriate documentation/tracking system for each domestic non-English speaking patient. Uses sound judgement and fiscal responsibility, as appropriate.

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Patriciates in innovative solutions for process improvement to make processes work better for patients, visitors, and department.

• Seeks continuous professional development opportunities. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or four years of interpreter experience in a medical setting in lieu of degree (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• CMI - Certified Medical Interpreter (NCIHC) OR
• CHI - Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Conducts self in a professional manner at all times

• Advanced proficiency in oral and written English and Second language (position specific)

• Demonstrates a learning attitude toward solving problems, using good reasoning and independent judgment in a high stress environment

• Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.