Language Access Expert - Document Translations

Language Access Expert (LAE) for Document Translations

The Language Access Expert (LAE) for Document Translations is responsible for managing all services related to VCU Health Medical Center's written communication in all non-English languages, primarily in Spanish. The expert ensures that operations efficiently produce reliable multilingual renditions of its written communication intended for limited English proficient (LEP) patients, community members and stakeholders. They will report into the Language Services Manager and partner with other language access experts to oversee daily operations.

Essential Job Statements

Document Translation

Renders and oversees services that involve multilingual renditions of written communication throughout VCU Medical Center (including CHoR) using both internal and external resources. Such communications may include but are not excluded to discharge paperwork, patient communications, procedural consent forms, education materials, electronic medical record (EMR) interface language, digital communication, pharmacy instructions, etc.

Interpretation

Acting as an experienced Spanish 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. supporting interpretation needs when coverage is needed.

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 in regard to 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 LAE's 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 have critical involvement in all essential processes for language requests involving clinical services, data collection and analytics, and specialized language needs. Knowledge within the scope of expertise will also be relied on for optimizing and standardizing training 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 involving services within their expertise's domain.

Project Development

The expert will partner with the manager on designated projects involving their expertise that furthers the clinical impact of language access.

Presentations and Meetings

Experts will cohesively work with leadership to engage in a multitude of presentations and meetings with clinical stakeholders, as well as internal department meetings revolving around language access serving as subject matter experts representing the department.

Recruitment and Onboarding

The expert will collectively support leadership to interview candidates for hire, as well as engaging in the onboarding of any hired individual, interns or contractors from external vendors. The expert will also be involved in 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.

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:

American Translator's Association (ATA) 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.

Required to car 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