University of New Mexico·Albuquerque, New Mexico
Provide accurate interpretation and translation of critical medical information for Spanish-speaking patients at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. Collaborate with physicians and healthcare providers to ensure effective communication during clinical visits.
Medical Interpreter Requisition ID req36806 Working Title Medical Interpreter Position Grade 09
The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center has an extremely large population of Spanish speaking only patients that daily visit our clinic as a new or existing patient. It is a regulatory requirement that we provide interpreter services for this clientele either via Video Interpreter Program or have onsite interpreters-family/friends are not relied upon to provide this service. This ensures that accurate interpretation and translation of critical medical information is given in direct service to Physicians and/or other health care providers who are seeing patients who cannot speak or understand English, when specifically required by the Provider. This position collaborates with all aspects of the clinical enterprise. The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico’s cancer patients from all across the state. And they partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. In 2024 they treated more than 15,000 patients in almost 105,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. A total of 2,075 patients participated in cancer clinical trials to study new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNM Cancer Center were awarded $38.3 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 750 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.
unmhealth.org/cancer See the Position Description for additional information.
Must successfully pass the UNMH Interpreter/Translator Medical Qualification Test Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
High school diploma or GED; at least 2 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure Interpreter/Translator Certificate and/or Certificate of Competency from an approved Interpreter/Translator training program. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Spanish speaking- “Bridging the Gap” certification Additional Requirements Finalists should be prepared to provide official educational transcripts if selected for hire.
Requires a high school diploma or GED and at least 2 years of related experience. Must possess an Interpreter/Translator Certificate or Certificate of Competency and pass a medical qualification test.
Market context
Medical interpreter openings in New Mexico often reflect steady demand in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings serving multilingual patients. Competition can be strong because employers usually look for certified interpreters with healthcare experience and strong accuracy under pressure. Review the certificate and test requirements carefully, and use the AI-summarized job requirements and benefits here to quickly compare roles without rereading the full posting.