Medical Interpreter/Translator - English-Spanish - Extra Help (Open)

The San Mateo Medical Center is seeking a qualified Medical Interpreter/Translator - English and Spanish Required. Under general supervision, the Medical Interpreter/Translator will provide interpretation and translation services and coordination of those services to clients with limited English speaking skills who are seeking health care or who are visitors at San Mateo Medical Center.
The ideal candidate will have:
* Successfully completed a 40-hour medical interpreter training or a college course in medical interpretation and/or: already been certified by National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters & California Interpreters OR California Healthcare Interpreting Association.
* At least six months of experience providing medical interpretation in Spanish.
* At least one year of experience working in an acute care hospital or medical (health care) setting with a culturally diverse population providing interpretation/translation services
NOTE: This is an extra-help, at-will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Extra-help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Provide interpreter services in person and by telephone to limited English-speaking patients and their families.
* Select the appropriate mode of interpretation (consecutive, simultaneous; first or third person).
* Encourage direct communication between patient and provider and ensure that the listener understands the message.
* Manage the flow of communication to maintain accuracy and to build rapport between the provider and patient.
* Recognize and address instances that require intercultural inquiry to ensure accurate and complete understanding.
* Abides by the Interpreter Code of Ethics.
* Translate correspondence, patient protocols, medical procedures and instructions, medical consent forms, and other documents as necessary.
* Perform routine tasks related to maintaining interpretation/translation records; monitoring and reviewing patient appointment flow for staffing projections.
* Locate the language service requested by staff, patients/visitors by utilizing the following resources as appropriate:
* Interpreter Services employee
* On-Call Language Bank Interpreter
* Sign Interpreter
* Bilingual Employees
* Assist in preparation of brochures, audio-visual materials and written materials for non-English speaking groups.
* Assist in certification of bilingual employees.
* Assist in training lower level interpreters.
* Perform varied clerical duties, telephone dispatching, statistical data gathering and computer entry.
* Perform other related duties, as assigned.
Knowledge of:
* Interpretation/translation of at least one needed language, other than English, including intracultural literary levels, principal idioms and slang.
* Basic hospital organization.
* General medical terminology in English and a second language.
* Legal ramifications of medical interpretation/translation.
* Laws and regulations regarding patient care.
* Modern hospital methods, forms and equipment.
* Ethnic customs, culture and religious attitudes particular to non-English speaking ethnic groups.
Skill/Ability to:
* Speak, read and write a second language fluently.
* Interact with a wide range of multi-cultural and non-English speaking patients.
* Translate detailed medical/legal information of written materials and documents for patient's signature.
* Communicate effectively with patients, their families and hospital staff.
* Function as liaison between the health care team/physician and patient.
* Assist in the preparation of brochures, memos, other literature, and audio-visual materials relating to hospital policies and procedures.
* Work under emergency or high stress situations.
* Exercise independent problem-solving abilities.
* Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all levels of medical, professional, administrative and support personnel.
* Adhere to the professional code of ethics and protocols of the health care interpreter
* Maintain confidentiality.
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
1. Six (6) months of experience working in an acute care hospital or medical (health care) setting with a culturally diverse population providing interpretation/translation services; or
2. Successful completion of a Medical Interpreter Training Certification Program from a recognized agency specializing in medical interpreter training.
Language Requirement:
* Fluency in one of the needed languages. Successful candidates must pass a language proficiency test.
If you are interested in being considered for Medical Interpreter/Translator - English-Spanish position, the following materials must be electronically submitted in a Word or PDF format:
* Resum
* Responses to Supplemental Questions
Supplemental Questions:
1. The current vacancy is for Extra Help. Only applicants interested in an Extra Help assignment should express interest. Extra-Help are at-will assignments, paid on an hourly basis. Extra-help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment. Please state that you understand the current vacancy is for Extra Help and you wish to work in an Extra Help Assignment.

2. Fluency in Spanish is required. Are you fluent in Spanish? (A "No" answer will not disqualify you from this recruitment.)
3. Do you possess a certificate of completion of a Medical Interpreter Training Certification Program from a recognized agency specializing in medical interpreter training?
4. Describe how your background and work experience have prepared you for the Medical Interpreter/Translator - English-Spanish position. Please include your experience in providing interpretation and translation services to clients with limited English speaking skills who are seeking health care/ hospital settings. Please list where you gained the experience, the duties and responsibilities you performed, and how long you worked in that capacity.
Please include the words "Medical Interpreter/Translator - English-Spanish - Extra-Help" in the subject area of email submissions to:

Kacie Patton, Health Services Manager I
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Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Apply immediately. Application materials will be accepted until position is filled. This posting is open on a continuous basis and selection may be made at any time within the process.

NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (cover letter with responses to supplemental questions and a resume) will not be considered.
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Analyst: Debbie Kong (07112024) (Medical Interpreter/Translator - E360)