What are the responsibilities and job description for the ASL Medical Interpreter position at Salem Health?
Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem Oregon 97301
Department: Language Access
Position Type: Unscheduled, Per diem,
Schedule: Multiple shifts/schedules available, Rotating coverage as needed
Your role with us
An American sign language (ASL) medical interpreter at Salem Health provides accurate, impartial and timely communication access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind and LEP patients while coordinating and prioritizing multiple interpreting requests to support safe, effective patient care. The role involves proactively rounding on patients, advising care teams on communication needs and maintaining strong, professional collaboration with staff. Interpreters also contribute to department improvement by using Lean methods, supporting new interpreters and engaging in professional development and safety reporting.
What you'll do
- Provide clear, accurate, and impartial ASL and spoken-language interpretation to support effective, medically necessary communication.
- Triage and prioritize multiple, simultaneous requests for language access while coordinating interpreting services as needed.
- Collaborate with care teams by offering insight into communication needs and ensuring compliance with ADA and ACA standards.
- Proactively round on Deaf and LEP patients to promote awareness and appropriate use of interpreter services.
- Maintain professional, collegial communication with staff and work productively throughout the shift to meet departmental goals.
- Support continuous improvement by engaging in professional development, assisting new interpreters, participating in special projects and using safety and Lean processes to enhance patient care.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or meets the educational equivalency requirements outlined by the Registry of the Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
- RID National Interpreter Certification required.
- One year of medical interpretation.
Additional information
- Registered Healthcare Interpreter within a year.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.