The Language Access Expert (LAE) for Signed Languages and Communication Accessibility is responsible for managing the signed language needs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as well as creating solutions for communication barriers for patients with verbal, visual and auditory difficulties to ensure the VCU Medical Center’s (including CHoR) services receives support and guidance on best practices recommended by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). They will report into the Language Services Manager and partner with other language access experts to oversee daily operations.

Essential Job Statements

Interpretation

• The expert will be acting 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 and committing to accuracy in services for patients and community members relying on signed languages for healthcare communication considering the available resources, patients’ cognitive limitations, and needs that are essential for clinical team members to successfully communicate. Identifies accessibility issues in communication for any patients whose needs fall under the purview of 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 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 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: 

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 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

Days

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.