Medical Translator / Interpreter

Job Summary

• Under the direction of Health Information Management Head/Director; performs interpreting/transliterating services of oral and/or written communications English and a designated first language (Arabic) or languages in a variety of settings; and performs other duties as required.
• Responsible for the overall Hospital (outpatient & inpatient) to promote the clear and effective communications between the medical staffs and patient and/or their families by interpretation/translation.
• Work as a patient advocate.
• Able to work independently with minimal direct supervision.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures through his actions, either directly or indirectly, that a superior quality of medical treatment, compassion and understanding is given to every patient served at the Hospitals.
• Translates the medical reports when necessary as required by the governmental sectors.
• Provide interpreting/transliterating services for patient and their families.
• Translates orally or in writing all documents presented by patients, staffs and other administrators.
• Check original texts; or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning and feeling of original material.
• Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
• Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
• Proofread, edit and revise translated materials.
• Read written materials such as legal documents, scientific works (medical) and re-write material into specified language.
• Refer to reference materials such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias and computerized terminology banks as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
• Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or in text.
• Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
• Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meaning of words, concepts, practices or behaviors.
• Compile information about the content and context of information to be translated as well as details of the groups for whom translation or interpretation is being performed.
• Review translated material for accuracy of meanings, grammar and syntax.
• Answer inquiries from patients, communities, agencies and individuals and interpret and explain words and phrases for meaning and appropriateness.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital policies.
• Follows all department policies and procedures.
• Participates in on-going education program developed by the department, e.g. Department Policy and Procedures, Fire Safety, Risk Management, Environmental control.
• Performs other applicable tasks and duties assigned by the Supervisor/Head of Department within the realm of the employee’s knowledge, skills and abilities
• Performs additional tasks and duties as assigned by the department.
• Develops policies and procedure to clearly states.
• Translates the official documents as required by the various departments.
• Work is conducted in a professional manner maintains patient’s confidentiality.

Reporting to

Director/Head/Supervisor of HIM Department

Supervises

None

Qualifications:

A minimum of:

• Bachelor Degree of Arts / English language, with Medical terminology course.
• Two (2) years’ experience as medical translator in an acute care hospital

Special Requirements/Skills:

• Basic knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Knowledge of method of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication in English/Arabic language.
• Ability to verbally translate spoken material from English/Arabic.
• Ability to communicate effectively with other employees.
• Considerable ability to deal courteously with public, supplying general information and direction in a clear, concise manner.