Job Description

What will you be doing in this role?

The ASL (American Sign Language) Clinical Interpreter facilitates communication between physicians, nurses, volunteers, non-clinical staff, patients, patients' families and the community. Responsibilities include interpretation, session statistics, service rounds, special projects, office duties within the Medical Center. The Clinical Interpreter position requires a high level of expertise and professionalism in interpreting techniques and performs all job duties with sensitivity and attention to the age and developmental issues of the patient populations served that include: the hearing impaired; limited English; and non-English speaking populations. Provides care to special patient populations and patients with diverse cultural backgrounds. Serves and protects the hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state and local requirements and accrediting bodies.

• Interpret accurately and professionally between English and American Sign Language for patients, families, physicians, nurses, and other Cedars-Sinai staff.
• Protect confidentiality, safeguard patient interests, and follow professional standards, hospital policies, and applicable legal and accreditation requirements.
• Interpret across clinical settings with sensitivity to age, developmental stage, health status, cultural background, and communication preferences.
• Complete clear, timely session documentation and service statistics after interpreting encounters.
• Provide written translations as needed, including patient education materials, instructions, letters, schedules, and questions from patients.
• Serve as a trusted clinical resource for physicians, nursing teams, and other staff seeking guidance on interpretation needs.
• Provide appropriate referral or triage support for remote medical interpreting programs when indicated.
• Participate in service rounds, special projects, office responsibilities, and other departmental activities.
• Use independent judgment to solve problems, adapt to changing unit needs, and support a responsive patient experience.
• Provide education and training to physicians, nurses, staff, volunteers, and learners regarding effective communication with Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients, interpreter best practices, and language-access requirements.
• Contribute to quality-improvement initiatives and projects that strengthen language access, patient experience, and health equity.

Please Note: this is a part-time + benefits position with a minimum of 20-hours a week, Monday-Friday day shift.

Experience Requirements:

Two (2) plus years of experience as an ASL translator in a health care setting, hospital experience is preferred.

Strong interpreting and translation skills, sound judgment, discretion, and a high level of professionalism.

The ability to work effectively with patients, families, clinicians, volunteers, and non-clinical staff in an active hospital environment.

A flexible, collaborative approach and a commitment to accurate, patient-centered communication.

Educational/Certification Requirements:

High School Diploma/GED required. Bachelor's Degree in linguistics, foreign languages, translation and interpretation, communication or related field preferred.

National Interpreter Certification (NIC), highly preferred, by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI), issued by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI), to be obtained within 1-year of start date.

Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI), issued by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI), to be obtained within 1-year of start date.

Training Programs:

Medical Center Interpreter Services Language Proficiency Assessment/Training Program, to be completed within 90 days of employment.

Interpreter Training Program, to be completed within 90 days of employment.

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