What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foreign Language Medical Interpreter position at Emory Healthcare?
Overview
Be inspired . Be rewarded. Belong. At Emory Healthcare.
Benefits
At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be . We provide:
The Foreign Lang Med Interpreter provides accurate consecutive and/or simultaneous interpretation for limited English proficient (LEP) patients and their families, ensuring complete and culturally appropriate communication throughout the continuum of care. Serving as both a language specialist and cultural liaison, the interpreter promotes understanding between patients and healthcare providers, supports equitable care delivery, and ensures adherence to regulatory requirements and professional standards. This position also participates in departmental education, documentation, and performance improvement initiatives.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
Education
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure, Bio-hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
Additional Details
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org . Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.
Be inspired . Be rewarded. Belong. At Emory Healthcare.
Benefits
At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be . We provide:
- Comprehensive health benefits that start day 1
- Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs
- Family-focused benefits
- Wellness incentives
- Ongoing mentorship, development, and leadership programs
- And more
- Certification - Completion of a 40-60-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program (e.g., Bridging the Gap, ALTA, Language Line Academy).
The Foreign Lang Med Interpreter provides accurate consecutive and/or simultaneous interpretation for limited English proficient (LEP) patients and their families, ensuring complete and culturally appropriate communication throughout the continuum of care. Serving as both a language specialist and cultural liaison, the interpreter promotes understanding between patients and healthcare providers, supports equitable care delivery, and ensures adherence to regulatory requirements and professional standards. This position also participates in departmental education, documentation, and performance improvement initiatives.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
- Language Interpretation Accurately interpret messages during medical encounters using consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation techniques.
- Provide over-the-phone and/or video remote interpretation when in-person services are not available.
- Support communication across a variety of clinical settings, including surgery, trauma, mental health, palliative care, and discharge planning.
- Cultural Mediation Serve as a cultural broker to bridge understanding and reduce disparities between patients and healthcare teams.
- Educate healthcare providers about cultural considerations impacting patient care.
- Documentation & Compliance Maintain accurate records of interpretation services, including encounter type, duration, and location.
- Adhere to HIPAA, the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care, and Emory Healthcare policies.
- Professional Development & Mentorship Participate in continuing education, quality improvement, and competency validation activities.
- Mentor newly hired interpreters and support peer review processes.
- Deliver training to staff regarding language access compliance and interpreter service procedures.
- Operational Support Assist with interpreter scheduling and dispatch functions during low-volume periods.
- Support deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of interpretation equipment (phones, iPads, VRI units).
- Patient & Family Support Remain available for on-call or after-hours assignments as needed.
- Provide navigation assistance and connect patients/families with hospital or community resources as appropriate.
- Less than 10% of the time may be required.
- Hybrid employee - splits time between working remotely and working in the office.
Education
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Two (2) years of experience in a healthcare, medical setting, customer service, advocacy, or related field, with at least one (1) year in medical interpretation.
- Certification - Completion of a 40-60-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program (e.g., Bridging the Gap, ALTA, Language Line Academy).
- Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI - NBCMI) or Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI - CCHI) preferred; required within 1 year of hire.
- Demonstrated proficiency in English and target language (speaking, reading, writing), with emphasis on medical terminology.
- Proficiency validated via a third-party Interpreter Skills Test (IST).
- Associate's Degree in business, foreign language, healthcare administration or related field
- Experience - 4 years minimum experience. Experience in delivering interpreter-related training or education.
- Broad knowledge of medical terminology.
- Understanding of cultural humility and healthcare system navigation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and interpreter technology platforms.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure, Bio-hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
Additional Details
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org . Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.