Language Access Expert - Signed Languages and Communication Accessibility Job at
VCU Health, Richmond, VA, United States, 23214
Overview
The Language Access Expert (LAE) for Signed Languages and Communication Accessibility manages the signed language needs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and creates solutions for communication barriers for patients with verbal, visual, and auditory difficulties to support VCU Medical Center’s services with guidance on ADA best practices. The LAE reports to the Language Services Manager and partners with other language access experts to oversee daily operations.
Essential Job Statements
Interpretation
The expert will act as an experienced American Sign Language Interpreter to provide medical and general interpreting for patients and their families, physicians, and the healthcare team at VCU Medical Center during consultations, diagnostic testing, medical procedures/operations, etc.
Signed Languages and Communication Accessibility
Ensuring accuracy in services for patients and community members relying on signed languages for healthcare communication, considering available resources, patients’ cognitive limitations and needs essential for clinical team members to communicate effectively. Identifies accessibility issues in communication for patients whose needs fall under ADA guidelines and develops strategies and guidance to adhere to best practices across the Medical Center.
Communications
The expert will closely work with management and other experts to handle office communications such as responding to pages, emails, office calls, and EMR requests regarding services and guidance for language access as well as internal team communication.
Daily Operations and Team Engagement
The expert will work closely with management, vendors, and other LAEs and team members to ensure that requests from clinical and administrative teams are fulfilled in a timely manner.
Standardization and Optimization of Workflows
The expert will be involved in essential processes for language requests involving clinical services, data collection and analytics, and specialized language needs. Knowledge within the scope of expertise will be relied on for optimizing and standardizing training for team members and vendors involved in departmental operations.
Process Improvement
LAEs will engage in solution-oriented discussions with stakeholders and leadership to create innovative processes, tools, and resources to ensure an optimized work experience, team development, and financial sustainability of services within their domain.
Project Development
The expert will partner with the manager on designated projects involving their expertise that further the clinical impact of language access.
Presentations and Meetings
Experts will work with leadership to engage in a variety of presentations and meetings with clinical stakeholders and internal department meetings focused on language access, serving as subject matter experts representing the department.
Recruitment and Onboarding
The expert will support leadership in interviewing candidates for hire, onboarding new hires, interns, or contractors from external vendors, and training current team members on updated processes.
Other
Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special projects to support the mission of VCUHS and the Department.
Patient Population
Not applicable to this position.
Employment Qualifications
Required Education:
High School Diploma or equivalent
Combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Preferred Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Language Studies, or Interpretation and Translation, or Master’s Degree in Interpreting/Translation in lieu of certification.
Licensure/Certification Required:
National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) or the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) certification
Licensure/Certification Preferred:
Minimum Qualifications
Years and Type of Required Experience
3 Years in language services or language access position.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
Experience in language interpretation, document translation, and coordination in language services.
Cultural Responsiveness
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:
Knowledge in using Microsoft Office programs, Tableau, Automation systems, Computerized Assisted Translation (CAT).
Working Conditions
Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse. May be required to use physical restraints. Required to travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions. May have periods of constant interruptions. Prolonged periods of working alone.
Physical Requirements
Physical Demands: Lifting/Carrying (0-50 lbs.).
Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing.
Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards
Physical Requirements: Perform shift work, hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, reach above shoulder.
Hazards:
Mental/Sensory – Emotional
Mental / Sensory: Strong recall, reasoning, problem solving, hearing, speak clearly, write legibly, reading, logical thinking.
Emotional: Fast-paced environment, steady pace, able to handle multiple priorities, frequent and intense customer interactions, noisy environment, able to adapt to frequent change.
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.