POSITION DETAILS

Hours and shifts are on an "as needed" basis.

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides sign language interpreter services to patients who are deaf or hard of hearing and works cooperatively with patient care providers and ancillary staff to ensure all standards of care are maintained.  Sign Language Interpreters will be utilized to assure complete, accurate, impartial and confidential communication is accomplished at Tomah Health.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION:

1. Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL).  Completes the process of understanding and analyzing a signed message and re-expressing through sign language that message faithfully, accurately and objectively, taking the cultural and social context into account.
2. Translates material.  Uses active listening skills to accurately interpret spoken language and convey the intended meaning.
3. Reviews any written documents or orders and communicates them to the patient and/or family; helps complete any required paperwork (if needed) by communicating it to the patient and assisting them with its completion.
4. Treats patients as a top priority; is flexible and accommodating to meet patient and staff needs.
5. Ensure understanding of patient’s desires and/or requirements and then effectively communicates those desires or requirements to the appropriate staff or provider.
6. Fosters a work atmosphere which respects individual differences and takes those differences into account when interpreting.
7. Treats others with dignity and contributes to a workplace which meets the needs of medical providers and clinical support staff and performs services in a manner that assures a safe environment for patients.
8. Performs independently by being self-motivated however, asks for guidance when necessary and responds to guidance constructively.
9. Serves as a language resource person for staff, providers and the community.  Conducts informational sessions/education offerings as needed/directed.
10. Understands the necessity for maintaining confidentiality of all sensitive information to those who have a legitimate “need to know” and conducts discussions of confidential information in appropriate settings to avoid unintentional disclosure.
11. Performs all other duties as assigned.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

1. WORK ETHICS STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to making the Tomah Health work environment better through: patient advocacy, continuing education, and valuation of each individual person.
2. COMMUNICATION STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to use open and honest communication with all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: basic customer courtesy (phone, written, face-to-face) and active listening.
3. TEAMWORK STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to be a proud, dependable Tomah Health TEAM member through: basic customer courtesy, patient advocacy, flexibility, and valuation of each individual person.
4. QUALITY STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to provide respectful, compassionate, quality care with integrity to all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: job excellence, patient advocacy, and self-dignity.
5. PROFESSIONALISM STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to professional conduct towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: collaboration, teamwork, appearance, environment, and valuation of each individual person.
6. ATTITUDE STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to maintain a positive, professional perspective towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: honest feedback, confidentiality, basic customer courtesy, and valuation of each individual person.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Minimum of four years sign language instruction or relevant experience.
3. Certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).  Sign Language Certification by the State of WI preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
3. Knowledge of theory, principles, techniques and practice of professional interpretation.
4. General knowledge of medical terminology and practices as it relates to patient care.
5. Must have the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential professional practice.
6. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision, and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
7. Needs to possess a high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Regularly required to talk and hear.
2. Good hearing is necessary to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound.
3. Visual acuity is needed to communicate and interpret with the patient.
4. Arrives within the appropriate timeframe by the staff requesting the service and demonstrates scheduling flexibility within limits of ability.