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Department Overview

The Language Access Specialist is responsible for providing objective and accurate interpretation and translation for patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Under the direction of the Interpreter Services Manager, the language access specialist functions as a member of the health care team alongside other health care professionals and helps patients navigate and understand the health care system and connect with internal and external resources. Specialists in this position will also provide counsel to and consult with other stakeholders in healthcare.

The language access specialist's role extends beyond the spoken and written conversions of messages from source languages to target languages; language access specialists must serve as a conduit; interpreting messages accurately and completely, a communication manager; preserving the triadic relationship wherein patient and providers relate primarily to each other, a cultural broker; sensing and articulating cultural influences.

Function/Duties of Position

Language Interpretation Services

• Provides interpretation between patients, employees, and OHSU staff via telephone, videoconferencing, and on-site for patients with limited English proficiency while maintaining a friendly disposition. Understands and analyzes the spoken message, and re-expresses that message faithfully, accurately, and objectively in the target language, considering the cultural and social context. Serves as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers in contributing to successful outcomes.

Language Translation Services

• Completes translations projects by rendering written text from one language into another language while maintaining the meaning, structure, style, and intended impact of the original. Provides accurate translation of medical documents, letters, educational materials, and other translation projects as assigned by the department.

Consulting and Education Services

• Works with medical staff to promote alternative communication approaches for more effective medical treatment of non-English speaking patients. Consults and educates department management on best practices of working and communicating with LEP employees. Serves as a cultural and linguistic resource to patients, staff, management and providers in contributing to successful outcomes. Educates staff and faculty on topics of cultural awareness, LEP populations, and working with interpreters.

Patient Services

• Respectfully aids patients in finding internal and external resources when deemed appropriate. Works collaboratively with other auxiliary departments to ensure Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients can access and actively participate in their health care. Works with medical staff to promote alternative communication approaches for more effective medical treatment of LEP patients.

Documentation

• Documents interpretation encounters and keeps logs related to program and operation required for accurate billing submitted within deadlines communicated by the Interpreter Services Manager. Complies with all OHSU mandatory requirements including annual TB Screening, required education, and immunizations and takes responsibility for following accurate timekeeping processes.

Professional Contribution

• Complies with OHSU's Code of Conduct, core department and job specific competencies, the Interpreter Code of Ethics, and consistently performs the job duties in a professional manner. Stays involved in growing the profession by holding memberships in national and local interpreting organizations. Works with other interpreters to research best standards for delivery of services. Participates in training and staff meetings as required. Maintains a safe and healthy workplace.

Customer Services

• Uses independent decision-making and judgment skills to provide prompt, efficient and courteous service to all staff, patients and their families. Utilizes customer service recovery skills to ensure patients and staff have a good experience. Identifies problematic trends in patient and employee system navigations and provides proposed solutions to management for resolution.

Confidentiality Conduit

• Holds confidentiality of all information learned via interpreting or providing translation services.

Miscellaneous

• Provides support on departmental language access projects and activities as assigned by the Interpreter Services Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• Five years of documented professional interpreting experience
• Three years of experience interpreting in healthcare settings
• Fluent bilingual proficiency in English and designated language. Native or native-like fluency in English - both written and spoken;
• Full understanding of the interpreting process and knowledge of linguistic principals as it applies to interpreting;
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of medical terminology
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint);
• Ability to work with a wide range of patients and families with diverse language needs;
• Must have (or be able to obtain within 6 months of hire) national certification from either the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) or Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and be in good standing
• Qualification or certification through the Oregon Health Care Interpreter Program under Oregon Health Authority
• NCICH Code of Ethics

• Compliance with Code of Conduct, Respect in the workplace and Applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or OHSU as a whole

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications

• American Translators Association (ATA) Certification

Additional Details

• While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to speak and hear. The employee is required to be able to navigate (with or without any reasonable accommodation) the Marquam Hill campus and South Waterfront to access all clinics and departments.

We offer a variety of benefits on top of joining a thriving organization:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at low or no cost to employees
  • Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• Several retirement plans to choose from! - Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan and University Pension Plan, voluntary savings plans (403b, 401a and 457b)
• Up to 200 hours (equal to 25 full days) a year of paid time off 
• 96 hours of sick leave a year (prorated by FTE status)
• Commuter subsidies
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
• Annual Raises
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses
• Childcare service discounts
• Growth/Development Opportunities

Why apply to OHSU?We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.eduEmployment Type: OTHER