American Sign Language (ASL) Medical Interpreter

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: American Sign Language (ASL) Medical Interpreter

Pay Rate: $52.36/hr. W2
Duration: 6 Months
Location: Providence, RI 02904
Work Arrangement: Onsite – PRN/As Needed
Work Schedule: Initially 3 days per week, approximately 1 hour per day; schedule may vary based on business needs.

Work Location: 650 Branch Ave, Providence, RI 02904

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced American Sign Language (ASL) Medical Interpreter to facilitate effective communication between Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients, healthcare providers, caregivers, and clinical staff. The ideal candidate will have strong ASL and English communication skills, knowledge of medical terminology, and an understanding of patient confidentiality and healthcare interpreting standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide accurate, professional ASL interpretation between patients, providers, caregivers, and clinical staff.
• Facilitate communication during medical examinations, treatment discussions, diagnostic procedures, health assessments, and patient education sessions.
• Interpret complex healthcare conversations involving medical terminology, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, insurance discussions, and care coordination.
• Convey all interpreted information completely, accurately, and impartially while preserving the original message's intent and tone.
• Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and professional interpreting standards.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and awareness of linguistic differences in healthcare settings.
• Support accessibility and an inclusive patient experience for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
• Provide simultaneous or consecutive interpretation as appropriate for the clinical situation.
• Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct for medical interpreters.
• Collaborate with providers, nurses, care teams, and administrative staff to support quality patient care.
• Interpret healthcare documents, patient forms, instructional materials, and other written communications when required.
• Follow all Oak Street Health policies, procedures, and technology requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
• Minimum of 2 years of ASL interpretation experience, preferably in healthcare, hospital, clinical, or patient-care settings.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, healthcare procedures, and clinical vocabulary.
• Strong understanding of HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Completion of an Interpreter Training Program or Medical Interpreter Training Program from an accredited institution.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential patient information with professionalism and discretion.
• Excellent listening, comprehension, memory retention, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification.
• National Interpreter Certification (NIC) or equivalent credential.
• Experience interpreting in primary care, specialty care, hospitals, or outpatient clinics.
• Bachelor's degree in Interpreting, Deaf Studies, Communications, Healthcare, or a related field.
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs) and healthcare workflows.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus but not required.

Additional Information

• PRN/as-needed position.
• Primarily onsite in Providence, Rhode Island.
• This is an in-person, patient-facing role.
• May support multiple healthcare providers and patient care teams.
• Must be comfortable handling protected health information (PHI) and interpreting sensitive or emotionally challenging healthcare discussions.
• Professionalism, reliability, flexibility, and compassion are essential.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional ASL communication skills and understand the responsibilities of interpreting in a healthcare environment. They should be comfortable interpreting complex medical conversations, safeguarding patient privacy, and serving as a trusted communication bridge between patients and care teams while demonstrating compassion, professionalism, and cultural competency.

Education and Experience

A bachelor's degree and three years of related experience are preferred.