Communications Specialist I (Portuguese)

Job Description
The Communications Specialist I (Portuguese) at Cape Cod Healthcare facilitates effective communication between clinicians, patients, and facilities where English is not the primary language. The role requires interpreting in target language and/or dialect, providing written/site translations, and supporting the department operations.

Responsibilities

Serve as a medical interpreter in consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation modes under the direction of the manager.

Provide consecutive interpretation face to face, over the phone, and by video in all clinical settings, adhering to national interpreter standards of practice and the code of ethics.

Relay medical information between speakers of different languages in compliance with hospital policies, including patient confidentiality and informed consent.

Assist the department with on‑job training and mentoring of interpreter interns.

Respond to and schedule requests for interpreters and effective communication services.

Facilitate successful delivery of services to linguistically diverse consumers.

Provide interpreting services during in‑person and tele‑interpreting, both written and orally.

Create written/site translations such as in‑patient discharge instructions, patient forms, medication instructions, medication schedules, and administrative translations.

Arrange interpreter services for patients and coordinate translation needs, including the use of phone lines and video units.

Select appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation; interpret with the highest degree of accuracy and completeness.

Self‑correct, recognize own linguistic limitations, seek clarification, and accept correction.

Pick up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification.

Understand language as an expression of culture, recognizing underlying assumptions of each party about medicine, the encounter, and illness.

Act as an intercultural mediator when communication is compromised by culture‑bound messages.

Project a positive attitude about the department and the hospital, offering services to ensure a positive experience while avoiding generalizations and stereotyping.

Address concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging the provider to make appropriate referrals or appointments and booking interpreters as needed.

Demonstrate organizational skills, handle stressful situations, be flexible with scheduling, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple tasks with accurate attention to detail.

Compile information regarding patient, visitors, families, and employee interpreter encounters.

Adhere strictly to patients’ rights, hospital policies, and community service confidentiality.

Support office operations and community interpreter services dispatching system by answering the phone, taking requests, confirming appointments, documenting encounters on the interpreter tracking system, data entry, verifying and scheduling future appointments, troubleshooting, filing, and photocopying.

Utilize online computer systems such as Outlook and other hospital software.

Participate in diversity program implementation and design as directed by management.

Maintain strict adherence to the Department’s and International Medical Interpreter Association Standards of Practice.

Assist with community outreach activities.

Perform other work‑related duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED plus a minimum of one year of basic technical training.

Medical Interpreter course required; provide proof of a completed minimum 60‑hour Medical Interpreter Course or National Certification per targeted language.

Fluency in English and the required language (another language a plus), both oral and written.

Pass departmental Medical Interpreters exam and demonstrate oral and written proficiency in target language.

Valid US Driver’s License; may be required to drive to various Falmouth Hospital locations.

(Preferred) Two years of college.

(Preferred) One or more years’ experience as a certified medical interpreter in a healthcare setting.

(Preferred) Completion of a Medical Interpreting program offered at a college level.

(Preferred) National Certification (e.g., NBCMI, CCHI, NCIHC).

Strong knowledge of medical vocabulary.

Strong writing skills and understanding of translation process.

(Preferred) Translator course.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Outstanding customer service, organizational and time‑management skills.

Knowledge and ability to serve patients with diverse, cultural and/or socio‑economic background.

Schedule Details
60PP (30 hrs per week), Monday‑Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., occasional weekends and holidays.

Primary Location
Falmouth Hospital, Massachusetts, Falmouth.

Hiring Pay Range
$25.50 – $30.46 per hour.

About the Employer
Cape Cod Healthcare – a trusted health system serving the Cape Cod region. Thepayrange displayed on each job posting reflects the anticipated range for new hires; actual compensation will be determined after considering factors such as work history, experience, skill set, and education. Benefits include healthcare/dental/vision and retirement options.

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