Medical Interpreter
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Summary
Provide in person and over-the-phone interpretation services for providers, patients, and caregivers to ensure patients understand medical terminology, treatment plans and instructions in compliance with policy standards.
Job description
Job Responsibilities
- Interpret critical medical information for providers, patients, and caregivers, both in person and over the phone.
- Facilitate communication and comprehension of essential information between providers and LEP/NEP patients and parents during inpatient and outpatient visits (e.g., informed consent, medical interview, health care instructions).
- Interpret telephone conferences between caregivers and providers.
- Notify supervisor of potential or actual communication problems regarding LEP/NEP patients and staff.
- Guide Limited-English Proficient (LEP) patients and families to appropriate hospital resources.
- Collaborate with other interpreters to ensure coverage of interpreting assignments; participate in on-call rotation as assigned.
Minimum Education and/or Training
- High school diploma/GED; Bachelor's degree preferred.
Minimum Experience
- Three months or 480 hours of documented medical interpreting experience.
Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by SJCRH Only
- Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI) issued by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (OR) Certified Medical Interpreter (NBCMI) issued by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters within 12 months of hire required.
Special Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Ability to understand and adapt to changing priorities; structured problem-solving and openness to learning new approaches.
- Apply knowledge/skills within own area to deliver tasks with limited guidance.
- Clear and effective written and verbal communication with relevant stakeholders.
- Planning, prioritizing, and organizing work well; deliver under tight timelines with focus on quality and efficiency.
- Understand, prioritize and address needs of patients, families, and institutional teams with focus on efficient, responsive and high-quality outcomes.
- Comprehension, translation, and interpretation of medical/clinical information; provide medical interpretation support to patients and families.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- Three months or 480 hours of documented medical interpreting experience
- Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI) or Certified Medical Interpreter (NBCMI) within 12 months of hire
- Medical interpretation skills
- Clear and effective written and verbal communication
- Structured problem-solving
- Planning, prioritizing, and organizing work
- Comprehension and interpretation of medical/clinical information
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Paid Time Off
Company overview
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a world-renowned pediatric research and treatment institution headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to advancing cures for childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas, it stands as the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted exclusively to children. The hospital operates on a unique funding model where families never receive bills for treatment, travel, housing, or food, with costs exceeding $2 billion annually primarily supported by donations through its fundraising organization ALSAC. St. Jude treats approximately 8,600 patients each year from all 50 states and around the world, with a focus on acute lymphoblastic leukemia, brain tumors, sickle cell disease, and infectious diseases. The institution employs over 7,000 staff members and maintains eight affiliate clinics across the United States. Through its St. Jude Global initiative, the hospital shares research and treatment protocols internationally, partnering with more than 350 institutions in over 90 countries. St. Jude has been instrumental in increasing childhood cancer survival rates from 20% in 1962 to over 80% today, while maintaining a robust research program that includes gene therapy, bone marrow transplantation, and precision medicine approaches.