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Seeking Breakthrough Makers

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)—named America’s 2022 Best Large Employer by Forbes—offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care—and your career.




CHOP’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.

We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.



A Brief Overview
The Medical Interpreter provides professional services to non-English speaking patients, families and the organization in order to appreciate and assist with the unique language and cultural needs of families as they seek and receive care in the CHOP environment. The Interpreter provides language services including medical and non-medical interpretation during the delivery of services and support to families throughout the entire treatment cycle.

What you will do

• Direct Services are provided by the Interpreter as a member of the Patient Care Services team in order to ensure appropriate language and cultural family centered care as families seek and obtain clinical services throughout their interaction with CHOP.
• Identifies, assesses and responds to interpretation needs of patients and families as directed by the Manager.
• Performs language services during the inquiry process with the team for families who are seeking care at CHOP.
• Provides interpretation services to families during the process of scheduling initial visit and coordination of ongoing treatment.
• Serves as a medical interpreter for patients and staff clinical encounters by providing accurate, skilled interpretations to facilitate effective communications between clinical staff and Limited English Proficiency patients/families.
• Relays information accurately and completely between patient, family and caregivers who speak different languages in compliance with hospital policies and procedures, particularly relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent. Adheres to the National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care of the National Council of Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHI).
• Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team and provides appropriate language services in the care planning for non-English speaking patients and families. Presents assessment of needs as gathered from the family to assist other professionals in the overall treatment planning.
• Serves as an interpreter for family meetings during hospital stays as necessary. Works closely with support services (social work, child life, chaplaincy, etc.) in this regard to integrate non English speaking families into existing services.
• Provides language services during the necessary coordination of including local transportation, lodging and accommodations, food, cultural family requests. Promotes a culture of hospitality and service both internally with CHOP departments and externally to existing and potential international families and clients.
• Uses “Language of Caring” in interactions to promote family-centered care.
• Institutional Responsibilities:
• Collaborates with professional colleagues in the development and implementation of family language service initiatives as directed by the Manager when appropriate.
• Upon request by supervisor, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at CHOP in the development of language service policies, practices and programs that improve direct services and contribute to an "ideal culturally responsive patient experience".

Education Qualifications

• High School Diploma / GED Required
• Bachelor's Degree Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least four (4) years interpreting experience in healthcare. Required
• At least four (4) years interpreting experience in healthcare. Required
• At least five (5) years of interpreting experience in healthcare Preferred
• Previous experience related to health care, language services for children and/or families Preferred
• At least two (2) years of international life experience, especially serving international clientele in a work environment Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Strong linguistic skills:
• understands variety of regional accents and linguistic styles and registers
• selects appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation
• interprets with highest degree of accuracy and completeness
• self-corrects, understands own linguistic limitations, seeks clarification and accepts correction
• picks up cues from encounter participants regarding level of understanding and/or need for clarification
• strong writing skills and understanding of translation process
• Strong cultural awareness competencies:
• understands language as an expression of culture, recognizes the underlying assumptions of each party about medicine, the encounter, the illness etc.; uses this understanding to empower patient and provider to better understand each other.
• avoids generalizations and stereotyping
• uses culturally appropriate behavior and is able to choose appropriate time to clarify or interject by respecting the goals of the encounter
• is aware of own personal values, beliefs and cultural characteristics which may be a source of conflict or discomfort in certain situations, is able to acknowledge these and/or to withdraw from encounters when these may interfere with successful interpretation
• Strong interpreting skills:
• explains role of the interpreter to patient and provider
• recognizes the complexity of the clinical encounter and added factor of linguistic barrier
• sets tone of the patient/provider encounter to manage spatial configuration and flow of communication to preserve accuracy and completeness, and to assess and address potential areas of discomfort for patient (age, gender of interpreter, no previous experience with interpreters)
• encourages and fosters direct communication between provider and patient
• maintains professional distance and integrity
• diffuses conflict between parties by remaining calm and impartial
• clarifies instructions, follow up steps in a diplomatic, effective manner
• Ethical competency:
• understands and abides by hospital policies on patient confidentiality, informed consent, non-discrimination and by interpreters code of ethics
• Interpersonal and customer service skills:
• projects positive attitude about the department and the hospital, and offers services to ensure positive experience
• works as a team with colleagues and providers
• addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging provider to make appropriate referral and/or assisting with making of appointment with right resource and booking interpreter as needed
• Organizational skills:
• works well under pressure to manage stressful situations
• flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes
• sound judgment and confidence
• ability to handle multiple tasks
• detail-oriented and accurate

Licenses and Certifications

• Language Certification (English to Target Language) - American Translators Association (ATA) - upon hire - Preferred or
• Language Certification (Target Language to English) - American Translators Association (ATA) - upon hire - Preferred

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, professionals working onsite—at any CHOP location, for any portion of time—must be vaccinated for COVID-19. Learn more.

CHOP also requires employees who work in patient care buildings to receive an annual influenza vaccine. Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed.

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