MARIA D. KING
Memphis
Summary
To leverage my expertise in medical interpretation, strong organizational skills and experience in the medical interpretation field, to ensure high-quality, culturally sensitive and timely communication between patients and health care providers, ultimately enhancing patient care and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in a dynamic healthcare setting.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Interpreter
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
11.2022 - Current
- To interpret critical medical information in Spanish and English for providers, patients and caregivers at St
- Jude Children’s Research Hospital, both on-site and over the phone
- To ensure that providers and Limited-English Proficient (LEP) and Non-English Proficient (NEP) patients and parents clearly understand all medical information during inpatient and outpatient appointments (e.g
- Informed consents, admissions, discharge, teaching, etc)
- To collaborate with other interpreters to always ensure coverage of interpreting assignments; participate in on-call rotation as assigned
- To assist with the orientation and training of other medical interpreters as needed
- To link Limited-English Proficient (LEP) patients and families with appropriate resources
- To perform other related duties (as assigned) to meet the goals and objectives of the department and the institution
Senior Medical Interpreter
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
02.2013 - 11.2022
- Company Overview: Le Bonheur is a nationally ranked children’s hospital and level one trauma center
- My general responsibilities included in‐person visits to approximately 15 pediatric patient families daily which typically took place in the hospital, clinics and in-home during out‐patient rehabilitation appointments
- These visits involved a wide range of detailed medical specialties including bedside and Emergency Room interpretations for physicians and staff, intensive care, surgery pre- and post‐op, discharge and palliative care
- As a Senior Interpreter, additional responsibilities included: Coordinate interpreter assignments for patient encounters, including urgent or last minute needs
- Orientation and training to staff medical interpreters
- Conduct internal professional development opportunities to improve the skills of Medical Interpreters
- Assist with the coordination of shadowing for residents and medical interpreter students
- Maintain accurate records of interpreting services, including usage, performance evaluations and compliance with relevant laws
- Prepare reports for management on service metrics and areas for improvement
- Work with outside vendors to provide language services according to the needs of patients and collaborate closely with the Coordinator of Interpreter services to proactively identify barriers to communication and ways to adequately address these barriers
- Le Bonheur is a nationally ranked children’s hospital and level one trauma center
Medical Interpreter
University of Memphis, Speech and Hearing Center
05.2012 - 02.2013
- Provided on‐site, over‐the‐phone interpretation and written translation services in English and Spanish for language therapists, audiologists and patient families as needed during testing, results and treatment phases
- Additional responsibilities included: Assist speech and language therapists, audiologists and other healthcare professionals in conveying complex medical terminology related to speech, language and hearing evaluations and treatment
- Address any language barriers that might hinder the patient’s engagement with therapy and audiology services
- Provide written translation services for grants
Child Care Provider
Private Child Care
07.2007 - 05.2012
- Provided daily care and planned activities, including Spanish instruction, for three children
Special Events Coordinator
PepsiCo
01.2000 - 12.2004
- Promoting, organizing and attending events that align with the company’s marketing and community engagement goals
- Plan and supervised special events and school tours
- Travel to various towns in Mexico promoting new products
- Develop innovative ideas to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement
Education
CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE CERTIFICATE - Working effectively across cultures
CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER
04.2024
HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER PROGRAM -
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
03.2011
GED HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY -
DEPT OF EDUCATION
01.2011
Post Secondary Education -
UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE YUCATAN
05.2002
Skills
- Professionalism
- Cultural Awareness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Medical terminology proficiency
- knowledge of hospital policies and procedures
- Experience with data and other administrative tasks
- Excellent oral communication skills
- Critical thinking
Affiliations
- California Healthcare Interpreting Association, 2024
- Tennessee Association of Medical Interpreters (TAMIT), 2010-2023
- President
- Vice-President
- Webmaster
- Chairwoman of the Board
Awardsandvolunteeractivities
- DEI advocate at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 2022-present
- Latin/Hispanic ERG programs and communication Co-chair at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- 28 'Ovation' awards in the last 2 years (St. Jude)
- Member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.
- Presenter - 2016-20: Palliative Care Fellows, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, 'Cultural Humility and Interpreting Services in Pediatrics'.
- Recipient – 2015, 2022: Quarterly 'Power of One' recognition award at Le Bonheur for outstanding patient‐family centered care.
- Employee of the month for Le Bonheur outpatient clinics in 2021.
- Keynote Speaker – 2020: TAMIT
- Surgical medical mission to Guatemala in 2016 with Health Talents International.
- Presenter – 2014: TAMIT, 'Medical Interpreters Working in Speech‐Language Sessions'.
- Presenter – 2013-14: IMIA international Conference.
- Coordinator: 3 National Medical Interpreter conferences in Nashville and Memphis, TN.
- Volunteer Interpreter – 2010-21: Compassion Neighborhood Clinic.
- Volunteer Interpreter – 2010-11: Methodist North Hospital.
- Hosted Child Life weekly with Spanish game show (live in-hospital TV).
Timeline
Medical Interpreter
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
11.2022 - Current
Senior Medical Interpreter
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
02.2013 - 11.2022
Medical Interpreter
University of Memphis, Speech and Hearing Center
05.2012 - 02.2013
Child Care Provider
Private Child Care
07.2007 - 05.2012
Special Events Coordinator
PepsiCo
01.2000 - 12.2004
HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER PROGRAM -
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
GED HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY -
DEPT OF EDUCATION
CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE CERTIFICATE - Working effectively across cultures
CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER
Post Secondary Education -
UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE YUCATAN
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