Sign Language Interpreter Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

Sign Language Interpreter Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

If you are searching for information about the job description of a sign language interpreter to improve your knowledge of what they do, then this post will be helpful to you.

You will discover the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that typically make up the sign language interpreter work description.

This article also shows you the major requirements, including skills, abilities, and education you may be expected to fulfill by recruiters if you are seeking the job of a sign language interpreter.

Please, read on to learn about the sign language interpreter career:

What Does a Sign Language Interpreter Do?

A sign language interpreter is a specialist who helps to facilitate communication between deaf or hard of hearing students, customers, employees, clients, etc., and other people either in one-on-one setting or group situations, including staff and students in classrooms, meetings, and activities.

An interpreter may work for schools, hospitals, or government agencies like the CIA, courts, and law firms, and language solutions companies, and any other organization that has deaf clients or audience.

The sign language interpreter job description entails providing sign language services to clients in the healthcare, education, and business; legal and service sectors according to certification level and endorsements.

When working in the education sector, their duties may involve appraising students’ communication skills in speech, lip-reading, and signs and finger spelling in order to utilize the most appropriate communication methods; and respond to student difficulties and concerns with understanding and sensitivity.

Sign language interpreters are also responsible for utilizing technology to provide interpretation services to clients from a distant location.

They are responsible for using the firm’s Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) platform to maintain coverage for clients who need an interpreter on demand.

They also provide support with VRI scheduling and coordination, as well as help train new interpreters in the set-up and operation of VRI platform, and carry out test calls with VRI interpreters on regular basis.

The sign language interpreter work description also involves researching to provide the company with avenues and strategies to expand its services for the deaf community and clients who service the deaf community.

It may also entail providing support to general administrative duties at the office whether on-site or remotely.

To work successfully as a sign language interpreter, individuals require strong listening, research, and memory, and sign language skills.

They must also possess exceptional skills in both English and sign language to excel as an interpreter.

Interested individuals who want to become a sign language interpreter can undertake degree programs in American Sign Language (ASL) and sign language interpreting.

Sign Language Interpreter Job Description Example/Sample/Template

A sign language interpreter performs various functions, which primarily entails helping deaf individuals comprehend what is said in multiple situations.

The tasks, duties, and responsibilities that commonly define the sign language interpreter job description are provided below:

• Providing a full range of interpreting/transliterating services for deaf/hard of hearing (HoH) employees
• Utilize skill in a variety of signed languages (i.e., American Sign Language (ASL), Contact Sign, and Conceptually Accurate Signed English, CASE) to facilitate communication
• Interpret any conversation, meeting, and training session, and interview or other requested event, including providing oral interpreting to employees who do not use sign language
• Responsible for interpreting in a variety of communication modes during agency-wide work related events such as programs, conferences, and appraisals, and counseling sessions, etc. for specific training needs and benefits
• Responsible for coordinating all incoming customer interpreting service requests through emails and phone calls
• Utilize MS Outlook calendar to schedule blocks of time for interpreting services following customer requirements and team availability
• Responsible for coordinating schedule conflicts and reschedules short notice priorities as they occur
• Collaborate with external contractor for interpreter requirements as needed
• Enlighten supervisors and staff on Deaf Culture and interpreter services
• Identify process improvement opportunities to improve on services to customers
• Serve as a representative for the contracting office or provide backup interpreting service for external contract.

Sign Language Interpreter Job Description for Resume

If you have worked or are currently working as a sign language interpreter, you can apply the job description sample above in completing the professional experience section of your resume if you need to make a resume for a new job.

It is important to add this section to your resume because it gives you the opportunity to show the recruiter that you have been effective performing the duties and responsibilities of a sign language interpreter.

You can apply the sign language interpreter duties provided in the sample job description above in describing your functions on the job while making the professional experience section of your resume.

Sign Language Interpreter Requirements – Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

If you are seeking the job of a sign language interpreter, it is important to know that there are certain requirements recruiters may want you to meet to be qualified to send in your application.

The reason for the requirements is to screen prospective candidates to allow only those with the skills, abilities, education, etc. to perform the obligations, objectives, and purpose of the role effectively to access the job offer.

Given below is a list of major requirements most recruiters may expect you to meet if you are applying for the sign language interpreter role:

• Education: To work as a Sign Language Interpreter, applicants are required to have a minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent and graduation from an Interpreter Training Program (ITP)
• Certification: It is important that they are certified from a National sign language interpreter body
• Knowledge: It is also important that applicants have a broad knowledge of technical and human resource vocabulary to facilitate communication in the workplace. They must also have exceptional understanding of ASL and Deaf culture. Recruiters may also request for practical interpretation experience from a Federal disability program management training or experience in a professional setting
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills: Sign language interpreter work with both the deaf and hearing audience, so it is important that they have exceptional abilities to communicate and build relationship with both worlds
• Excellent customer service skills: Applicants must have the required skills to provide prompt, courteous, and improved service at all times. They must also be able to show empathy to their clients and respond to their concerns with sensitivity
• Flexibility: Employers also look out for interpreters who can work within a changing schedule
• Teamwork: Interpreters may be required to provide backup interpreting service at external contracts. Therefore, it is important that applicants can work as part of a team.

Conclusion

If you are an employer or recruiter needing to hire a sign language interpreter, you will have to make and publish a detailed description of the job to attract only the best competent individuals to apply for it.

The sign language interpreter job description example provided above can help you in making the perfect one for your organization.

This post also helps individuals interested in the sign language interpreter career to learn and increase their knowledge of the role.

Did this article improve your knowledge of what sign language interpreters do? Please, make a comment in the box below. You may also discuss your job description if you work as a sign language interpreter.