Foreign Language Interpreter - Spanish

Job description

Make every word count when patients and families are navigating complex, deeply personal healthcare decisions. As a Spanish Medical Interpreter with UVA Health, you will help ensure that patients with limited English proficiency can understand their care, communicate their needs, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their health.
This position offers experienced medical interpreters the opportunity to work across an academic health system and support encounters spanning virtually every medical specialty. You will bring linguistic accuracy, cultural awareness, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to interpreter ethics and patient advocacy.
The Role
As part of Interpreter Services, you will facilitate accurate, complete, and culturally responsive communication among Spanish-speaking patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Your work may range from routine outpatient visits and patient education to complex conversations involving treatment options, goals of care, transplantation, and end-of-life decisions.
Interpreters rotate among UVA Health locations and specialties, creating a varied workday that requires adaptability, discretion, and command of medical terminology. Services are delivered both in person and through telemedicine.
In this role, you will:
• Provide professional Spanish interpretation for inpatient and outpatient encounters.
• Interpret medications, diagnoses, procedures, treatment plans, and discharge or follow-up instructions with accuracy and neutrality.
• Support sensitive conversations, including goals-of-care and end-of-life discussions.
• Facilitate patient and family education across a wide range of clinical specialties.
• Participate in education sessions for heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplant programs.
• Help clinical teams recognize and navigate relevant linguistic, cultural, and dialect differences.
• Advocate for clear communication while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Travel among University Hospital, Fontaine, Northridge, Moser, the Battle Building, and other UVA-associated clinical locations.
• Manage a typical schedule of approximately 8 to 11 appointments per day, with higher volumes possible in busy clinics such as Prenatal Services.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, with shifts of either 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are no routine weekends or after-hours requirements. Team members may voluntarily join a callback list for evening or weekend Spanish interpretation needs.
Successful candidates will bring prior medical interpretation experience, completion of a 40-hour Medical Interpreter Training Program, strong Spanish and English fluency, and working knowledge of healthcare terminology and procedures. National medical interpreter certification is preferred. Candidates who are not yet certified must be eligible to obtain certification within one year.
Why UVA Health
At UVA Health, medical interpreters are essential members of the care team. Your expertise helps strengthen patient understanding, informed decision-making, safety, and trust across encounters ranging from preventive care to highly specialized treatment.
You will join a collaborative, close-knit Interpreter Services team known for open communication, mutual support, and long-term employee retention. Team members work independently during patient encounters while remaining connected to colleagues who understand the judgment, resilience, and precision that professional medical interpretation requires.
UVA Health offers:
• The scope and complexity of a nationally recognized academic health system.
• Exposure to diverse patient populations and nearly every medical specialty.
• Opportunities to contribute to advanced clinical programs, including transplantation, cancer care, trauma services, women’s health, and pediatric care.
• A mission-centered environment that integrates patient care, research, education, and community engagement.
• A culture focused on safety, compassion, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Meaningful work that directly supports equitable access to care and gives patients a clearer voice in their healthcare experience.
• A professional environment where experienced interpreters can continue strengthening their clinical knowledge and cultural competence.

This is an opportunity to apply advanced language skills where they have immediate clinical impact, supporting patients and families during some of the most important conversations of their lives.
Why People Love Living in Charlottesville
Charlottesville combines the energy of a university community with convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia’s scenic countryside. Healthcare professionals and their families can enjoy outdoor recreation, local restaurants, arts and cultural events, historic destinations, and a connected community. The area offers a compelling setting for building a meaningful career while maintaining an active and well-rounded life outside of work.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education: High School or equivalent required; Completion of accredited interpreter training program required.
Experience: None.
Licensure: Required licensure must be attained within one year of hire or transfer, see position specifications for accepted licensure.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Job requires frequently traveling (distance: minimum 1 mile/daily). Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be a negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree
The pay range for this role is $19.88 - $33.94 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.
Benefits
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings
• Long-term and Short-term Disability
• Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Certification and Education Support

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .