What does a per diem interpreter do?
A per diem interpreter is responsible for interpreting sign or oral language and translating text from one specific language into another. You will perform several tasks that include adapting translations to students' grade and cognitive levels, working closely with other educational team members when necessary, and proofreading, revising, and editing translated materials. Additionally, you are responsible for translating messages into one language orally using hand signs and explaining translation requirements to clients. As a pier diem interpreter, you are also responsible for checking translated texts for technical terminology.
Per diem interpreter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real per diem interpreter resumes:
- Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
- Facilitate communication between LEP patients/families and medical staff by providing accurate and comprehensive interpreter services (person/phone).
- Monitor patient EKG patterns while patient is admitted.
- Provide education and training while administering a base wide CPR training program.
- Assist with documentation, groups, and ADL's for idd/m psych patients.
- Serve as a liaison between patients and physicians to assist Somali speaking patients in understanding physician's questions.
- Educate patients regarding chemotherapy treatment and detailing procedures.
- Screen patients for possible treatment-relate financial assistant programs.
- Maintain a professional demeanor and compliance with federal HIPAA requirements while staying empathetic and supportive.
- Provide direct OT services including patient evaluation, treatment, COTA supervision and documentation of services.
- Provide Cantonese interpreting services on a monthly basis to underprivilege women diagnose with cancer.
Per diem interpreter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 37% of Per Diem Interpreters are proficient in Patients, Per Diem, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Cultural sensitivity, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Per Diem Interpreters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 37%
Float Personnel Providing generalized nursing care to patients on medical surgical units.
- Per Diem, 16%
Provided per diem occupational therapy services in a skilled nursing facility.
- Customer Service, 11%
Provided customer service for basic billing inquiries.
- Acute Care, 4%
Worked as RN in 12-bed acute care pediatric burn unit.
- CPR, 4%
Certified in the following: Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), QMAP, First Aid & CPR
- Rehabilitation, 3%
Provided manual PT, neuromuscular reeducation, kinesio taping, vestibular rehabilitation, therapeutic exercises and HEP to outpatient clients.
Most per diem interpreters use their skills in "patients," "per diem," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential per diem interpreter responsibilities here:
Business skills. One of the key soft skills for a per diem interpreter to have is business skills. You can see how this relates to what per diem interpreters do because "self-employed interpreters and translators must be able to manage their finances." Additionally, a per diem interpreter resume shows how per diem interpreters use business skills: "maintained high standards of customer service in a fast-paced business facility. "
Cultural sensitivity. Many per diem interpreter duties rely on cultural sensitivity. "interpreters and translators must be aware of expectations among the people for whom they are helping to facilitate communication," so a per diem interpreter will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways per diem interpreter responsibilities rely on cultural sensitivity: "assisted patients from diverse cultural and physicians with interpreting in spanish when patient had limited or no english language skills. "
Listening skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of per diem interpreters is listening skills. This skill is critical to many everyday per diem interpreter duties, as "interpreters must pay attention when interpreting for audiences to ensure that they hear and interpret correctly." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed assessments of functional mobility, discharge planning, and communicated with interdisciplinary members of homecare team. "
The three companies that hire the most per diem interpreters are:
- Prime Healthcare19 per diem interpreters jobs
- Open Sky Community Services19 per diem interpreters jobs
- Horace Mann14 per diem interpreters jobs
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Compare different per diem interpreters
Per diem interpreter vs. Freelance translator
A freelance translator is an independent contractor specializing in translating audio or written materials into a particular language. They primarily communicate with clients to identify their needs and preferences, including project specifications such as deadlines and format. Being a freelance translator means that they can work remotely at their preferred schedule, most of the time, working from home. They are not employed under a company, which is why most freelance translators prepare their own portfolios and create client bases through websites and other platforms.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between per diem interpreters and freelance translator. For instance, per diem interpreter responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "per diem," "customer service," and "bls." Whereas a freelance translator is skilled in "web content," "vice versa," "user manuals," and "financial reports." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Freelance translators tend to reach higher levels of education than per diem interpreters. In fact, freelance translators are 8.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Per diem interpreter vs. Cryptologic linguist
Cryptologic linguists are lingual professionals who are responsible for using signals equipment to identify and analyze foreign communications. These linguists must assist intelligence community analysts in translating open source and sensitive materials as well as producing comprehensive reports about the daily activities of their enemies. They are required to supervise a team of other linguistic professionals to provide transcriptions and analysis from foreign communications. Cryptologic linguists must also identify the languages spoken at target geographic areas of interest.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that per diem interpreter responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "per diem," "customer service," and "bls." But a cryptologic linguist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "tip," "government agencies," "national security," and "signals intelligence."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Cryptologic linguists tend to reach lower levels of education than per diem interpreters. In fact, they're 8.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Per diem interpreter vs. Technical translator
Technical Translation is the act of translating materials in a specific technical or scientific subject domain. A Technical Translator understands the nitty-gritty of the subject matter and knows the specialized terms in that field in both the source and secondary languages. This individual works to produce translations and interpretations of either written or oral communications of one language to another for a specific purpose or industry. As a Technical Translator, your duties may include interpreting conferences and emails in an organization.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, per diem interpreters are more likely to have skills like "patients," "per diem," "customer service," and "bls." But a technical translator is more likely to have skills like "technical translation," "technical manuals," "proofreading," and "user interface."
Technical translators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $76,753. Per diem interpreters earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $52,530.When it comes to education, technical translators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to per diem interpreters. In fact, they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Per diem interpreter vs. Language translator
Language translators are linguistic professionals who are responsible for converting information from one language to another to help people read the translation based on the original source. These translators must use a computer to translate the original language into their native language. They can work for software development companies as under contract independent foreign language translators. They must utilize target language to translate and transcribe critical information and performing immediate data analysis. Language translators must also provide interpretations for meetings, conferences, and administrative hearings for any sponsored functions.
Types of per diem interpreter
Updated January 8, 2025
