American Sign Language Interpreter – Independent Contractor

Hands Up Communications

On-Site American Sign Language Interpreter facilitating communication in emergency rooms, medical, legal, and educational settings. Ensure accurate interpretation and uphold ethical standards in all assignments.

Posted 7/8/2026contractWaterloo • Iowa • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Facilitate many kinds of face-to-face conversations for customers, settings may include emergency rooms, medical, legal, social services, and educational.
Provide accurate and effective interpretation between individuals, ensuring that all information is communicated clearly, completely, and impartially.
Perform interpretations that are grammatically and syntactically accurate.
Punctuality and attendance are expected; timeliness is necessary as it directly reflects on the agency as well as the interpreter.
If an issue arises it is the interpreter’s responsibility to inform the scheduling staff as soon as possible.
Interpreters are expected to work collaboratively with other internal or external interpreters.
As a representative of Hands Up Communications interpreters should exhibit professional behavior including attire, timeliness, attitude, manner, and overall behavior.
Interpreters are expected to adhere to ethical standards, procedures, and protocols specific to interpreting context (i.e. hospitals, courts, schools, etc.).
Confidentiality is required for all interpreting assignments unless specific circumstances arise that would cause the interpreter to violate the law.
The content learned while on assignment is considered confidential.
Additional information can be found in Hands Up Communication’s confidentiality/HIPAA agreements.
Effectively represent the Hands Up Communications brand when interacting with customers in the field.
If possible, work/mentor with interns – mentoring and providing feedback when appropriate.
Utilize the necessary technology for accurate reporting for billing, scheduling, and service evaluation.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Iowa interpreting license
Bachelor of Arts degree (preferred); Associates of Arts degree accepted or 3+ years of experience in lieu of formal degree.
Knowledge of the community, culture, and values of the people and language to be interpreted.
Possess or have the ability to obtain local, regional, or national credentials.
Maintain, as applicable, compliance with any national, state, or local licensure and/or certification requirements.
Demonstrate the ability to work independently while meeting performance and customer service expectations.
Credentialed in medical interpreting completed or in progress with Hands Up Communications.
Ability to apply code of ethics and standards of practice.
Ability to interpret for extended periods of time.
Possess the ability to work in various settings, both indoor and outdoor, with variable lighting and temperatures.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Interpretation AccuracyGrammatical ProficiencySyntactical AccuracyCultural KnowledgeCode Of Ethics Application

Soft Skills

Professional BehaviorCollaborationMentoringTimelinessCustomer Service

Certifications

Local CredentialsRegional CredentialsNational Credentials