Interpreting – Spanish and Mandarin

Interested in Volunteering?

Volunteering

SHAC Interpreting is a group run by UNC students with the purpose of providing interpreting services at the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) Clinic in Carrboro and various other health events in the Chapel Hill area. We are always looking for volunteers who are proficient to fluent in Spanish who would like to hone their skills while helping out an underserved community in our own backyard. For those interested in the health fields, this is an excellent way to get exposure to a medical clinic and to have contact with patients. There are 2 interpreter volunteer positions, based on the volunteer’s proficiency and comfort with Spanish. See below for descriptions of Front-Back and Clinic Interpreting.

Organization Structure

Two co-directors (one per language) and 8 co-coordinators (four per language) share the responsibilities for SHAC Interpreting Services. These tasks include assessing the Spanish skills of interested volunteers, interpreter scheduling for the SHAC clinics and local health fairs, maintenance of the website, coordination of conversation opportunities, distribution of information, and management of finances.

Interpreters go through an application process that involves an oral mock interpreting session so that the coordinators can get an idea of each candidate’s level of Spanish or Mandarin, knowledge of medical terminology, and comfort speaking.

Front desk interpreters answer questions and help patients check in at the front desk. This level is for those with an intermediate level of Spanish or Mandarin and medical terminology. Clinic interpreters interpret for the patient interviews. This level is for those with a higher level of Spanish or Mandarin and medical terminology.

Front-Back Interpreting

Front-Back interpreters help with registration, intake forms, and vitals for Spanish-speaking patients. These interpreters show up at the beginning of clinic and typically stay until the end of Walk-In hours. This position is a good way to get involved with SHAC before becoming a clinic interpreter depending on the level of comfort with the language.

Clinic Interpreting

Clinic interpreters are key to reaching the Latino population through SHAC. Five clinic interpreters are requested per night to assist the SHAC Interpreting Coordinator. Clinic interpreters will accompany Public Health, Social Work, HIV Counseling, Pharmacy, and Medical Teams into the exam room to see patients individually.

Application Process

1. Fill out the Qualtrics form here.

2. Interpreting coordinators will reach out to set up an interview/ proficiency assessment via Zoom

3. Complete the interview and proficiency assessment

4. You will be assigned a position in the clinic!

5. Interpreting coordinators will email forms to complete (i.e confidentiality agreement etc.) and next steps

If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to email us.