Medical interpreter job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Medical interpreter in details. A complete job description concludes Medical interpreter key duties/responsibilities, Medical interpreter job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Medical interpreter duties:

1.      Ability to work with diverse populations from various economical backgrounds and age group.

2.      Ability to function independently in area of expertise

3.      Ability to work as an effective member of a dedicated team.

4.      Ability to work in a fast paced Health Care environment with a variety of customer service needs.

5.      Handle multiple tasks with efficiency and aplomb

6.      Ability to use fingers and hands to operate department equipment, including telephone/facsimile, computer/typewriter/photocopier will be used to complete job duties

7.      Ability to bend frequently, using back and knees, lift between five (5) and fifty (50) pounds, and minimal physical effort required for standing, walking, climbing or crawling.

8.      Vision is required to review, read and input data. Hearing is required in order to receive information via telephone or in person. Verbal skills are required in order to provide and receive information. The use of hands/fingers is required for data input.

9.      Ability to have tact, be personable and affable, must be able to handle confidential information and be a team player, flexibility and adaptability are a plus

II. List of Medical interpreter qualifications

1. A High school diploma is required and Associates or Bachelor’s degree in any area related to science, social science or human services is preferred.
2. Nativelevel fluency in both oral and written English and Spanish required.
3. Must be able to pass CCHSadministered interpreter/medical skills assessment exam.
4. One (1) to two (2) years of experience in a healthcare or social service setting preferred.
5. A solid knowledge of, or aptitude to learn, medical terminology (i.e. demonstrates a professional command of medical terminology in English and Spanish, including anatomy, diagnostic procedures, illnesses and treatment.)
6. Proof of medical interpreter training (minimum of 40 hours) or college level medical interpreter training preferred.
7. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
   Must be able to work a flexible work schedule.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.