Language Access Expert - Middle Eastern and African Languages

Language Access Expert (LAE) For Middle Eastern And African Languages

The Language Access Expert (LAE) for Middle Eastern and African languages is responsible for managing the language needs pertaining to the regional languages of the Middle East and African continent that encompass over 15% of the department's language and communication services for the VCU Medical Center (including CHoR). These languages include but are not limited to: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Urdu and/or Farsi. They will report to the Language Services Manager and partner with other LAEs to oversee daily operations.

Essential Job Statements

Interpretation and Translation

The LAE will be acting as an experienced spoken language and/or written interpreter (these languages include but are not limited to: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Urdu and/or Farsi.) 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.

Middle Eastern and African Languages

Ensuring and committing to accuracy in services for the limited English proficient (LEP) patients and community members involved with the VCU Medical Center's services while possessing a cultural understanding and sensitivity to the dynamics relevant to cross cultural and linguistic differences that may affect healthcare communication.

Communications

The expert will closely work with the Language Services Manager, other hospital leadership, and other LAEs to support office communications such as responding to pages, emails, office calls and electronic medical record (EMR) requests with regards 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 promptly.

Standardization and Optimization of Workflows

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

Presentations and Meetings

LAEs 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 LAE will support leadership to interview candidates for hire and engage in the onboarding of any hired individual, interns or contractors from external vendors. The LAE will also be involved in training current team members on updated processes.

Other

Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special projects in order 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:

Accredited National Certifications for Medical Interpreting

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: 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.