Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Maria Tapia

Chicago,IL

Summary

Interpreter with over 14 years of experience, helping patients navigate complex systems and boost their knowledge to help them make informed medical decisions. These decisions are especially beneficial when making end-of-life decisions, transplants consents for surgery, or many others. I transition easily between English and Spanish without missing details: I have both multicultural knowledge and up-to-date Clinical research knowledge. I am also an administrative support team member to over 20 interpreters. I interface with hospital management and IT. I can effectively manage multiple projects and schedules simultaneously. I have Top-notch strength in verbal and written communication. I also have excellent mathematical skills and can graph and make mathematical trends with the Excel database.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Medical Interpreter

University of Chicago Medical Center
Chicago, IL
01.2019 - Current
  • Facilitated communication between medical staff and patients with limited English proficiency.
  • Maintained a professional demeanor when interacting with clients and colleagues.
  • Assisted in the translation of written documents such as consent forms, medical records, and patient instructions.
  • Interpreted complex medical terminology accurately between languages.
  • Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality services were provided to patients.
  • Kept up-to-date on changes in healthcare regulations, policies, language trends, and industry best practices.
  • Monitored interpreter performance to ensure accuracy and consistency of translations.
  • Developed strategies to help bridge language barriers effectively in order to facilitate understanding among all parties involved in the conversation.
  • Adhered to strict confidentiality protocols while working with sensitive information related to patient health records.
  • Explained the purpose of medications, tests, procedures and treatments clearly so that non-English speaking patients could understand them.
  • Conducted follow-up interviews with patients after their appointments to ensure they had an accurate understanding of their diagnosis or treatment plan.
  • Served as a liaison between doctors, nurses, medical personnel and family members who spoke different languages.
  • Researched foreign language resources for clarification of terms or phrases used during interpretations.
  • Provided education about cultural differences associated with various languages spoken by patients.
  • Identified areas where communication breakdowns may have occurred due to language barriers or cultural misunderstandings.
  • Demonstrated excellent problem solving skills when dealing with difficult situations related to language barriers or cultural misunderstandings.
  • Wrote verbal patient instructions exactly as ordered by health professionals in patient's native language.
  • Delivered translation services via video to transmit virtual communication in [Language].
  • Documented patient encounters and maintained monthly statistics.
  • Met with hospital decision-makers to develop and promote healthcare programs for community residents in required language.
  • Collaborated with patient navigators and social workers to support patient interpretation needs.
  • Translated written healthcare text from handouts and brochures to prepare printed medical information in Spanish
  • Interpret for all top specialties at the University of Chicago HematologyOncology, Organ Transplant, Genetics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, ENT, Orthopedics for adults and children.

H&R Block

Senior Tax Analyst
Chicago, IL
12.2003 - Current
  • Conducted tax research using various resources and tools to verify proper compliance and tax filings to the client's advantage based on current tax laws.
  • Assist with federal, state, and local tax audits by preparing responses and communicating with tax authorities.
  • I Work with tax, legal, IT, and accounting teams to improve tax compliance and reporting processes and develop integrated solutions to complex client and business issues.
  • Performed regular analytics and reporting of key performance measures and performed variance analysis to assist management with financial decision making.
  • Deliver best-in-class tax compliance advice and technical support to business departments and executive management to verify adherence to regulatory tax obligations.
  • Review and analyze general ledger accounts related to income tax payable, deferred tax assets, deferred tax liability, income tax expense, and reserve for uncertain tax positions.
  • Documented quarterly and annual income tax provisions worldwide and drafted tax footnotes for public filings.
  • Prepared and reviewed forms and related work papers for foreign entities and assisted with overseeing foreign income tax compliance.
  • Educate clients on complex tax issues by explaining details in understandable terms.
  • Conducted research on different tax issues and remaine current on tax law changes.
  • Identified tax-related issues and addressed them with the management team, suggesting methods for improvement.
  • Verify completeness of information when processing applications and transactions.
  • Answered questions from taxpayers and assisted individuals with completing tax forms.
  • Examine accounting systems and records to determine the appropriateness of methods and controls.
  • Maintain up-to-date contact information for each case under review.
  • ITIN Specialist.

Core Interpreter And Translator

Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, IL
01.2021 - 09.2023
  • Manages interpreters, schedules organizes office functions, and oversees daily office operations with 20 employees.
  • Write and answer emails from clinics, Hospital unit managers, and other staff members.
  • Work closely with the research scientist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. These include the University of Chicago and Northwestern Doctors. Translate Research treatments and Procedures into Spanish.
  • Answer, screen, and transfer telephone calls.
  • Perform basic accounting functions.
  • Documented patient encounters and maintained monthly statistics.
  • Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports.
  • Interpret spoken words simultaneously, maintaining message content and style.
  • Adhere to ethical codes protecting information confidentiality.
  • Provide appropriate contextual information to increase clients' understanding of translations.
  • Interpret conference calls and other workplace communications in real time.
  • Interpret in person, telephone, or VRI.
  • Proofread translations to identify and correct punctuation, grammatical and translation errors.

Spanish Medical

Loyola University Medical Center
Maywood, IL
06.2021 - 02.2023
  • Provided interpretation services in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices.
  • Interpreted medical information accurately and effectively between Spanish-speaking patients and healthcare providers.
  • Worked with physicians to ensure accurate communication during patient exams.
  • Interpreted verbal and written information during examinations, tests, and treatments.
  • Assisted healthcare workers by translating telephone conversations with patients and family members.
  • Liaised with healthcare providers, social work agencies, and limited English speaking communities to promote services.
  • Documented patient encounters and maintained monthly statistics.
  • Collaborated with patient navigators and social workers to support patient interpretation needs.
  • Interpreted for Genetics, Women's center, Cardiographic imaging, Oncology, Surgery, Cardioversion, Liver, Heart, Kidney, Pancreas transplants, level I ER, Level I burn center. Pharmacists, Diabetic educators, inpatient teaching and many others.
  • Instructed students and Medical staff concerning the function of interpreters, and also taught them Spanish Medical Terminology.
  • Dispatched calls to interpreters thru the American messaging system so that our interpreters could help attend to hospital and clinic interpretation needs.
  • Night Coverage interpreter, I multi-tasked; helped the scheduler order agency interpreters as needed to cover hospital needs. Answer hospital medical encounters and record next-day encounters on the excel database.
  • Happily helped my department on Early mornings, late evenings, long hours, 12-hour shifts, weekends and holidays.

Medical Interpreter

Mt Sinai Hospital
Chicago, IL
04.2010 - 06.2021
  • Communicated with healthcare staff about patient cultural beliefs and customs impacting care.
  • Responded via pager to requests from healthcare staff or physicians to help interpret.
  • Assisted healthcare workers by interpreting telephone conversations with patients and family members.
  • Wrote verbal patient instructions precisely as ordered by health professionals in the patient's native language.
  • Documented patient encounters and maintained monthly statistics.
  • Meet with hospital decision-makers to develop and promote healthcare programs for community residents in the required language.
  • Interpreted for Surgery, inpatient, Diabetic Education clinics, Cardiology, Oncology, Mother and baby, level 1 trauma center and Level III NICU. Both units were very critical departments. One had to be quick on their toes to help interpret last three departments. Those departments were critical department were anything could turn to a life and death situations.

Education

Professional Medical Interpreter: - Professional Medical Interpreter:

Heartland Alliance Cross Cultural
Chicago, IL
08-2009

Bilingual Medical Assistant: Diploma - Bilingual Medical Assistant

National Latino Education Institute
Chicago, IL
11-2003

Some College (No Degree) - Echocardiography

Midwestern Career College
Chicago, IL

Skills

  • Epic
  • Cern
  • Problem Resolution
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Team Management
  • Decision-Making
  • Problem Solving
  • Organization and Time Management
  • Excellent Communication
  • Attention to Detail
  • Medical Terminology
  • Word and Excel
  • Editing
  • Message Translation
  • Microsoft Office
  • Patient Assessment
  • Medical Terminology Proficiency
  • Bilingual Communication
  • Accuracy Verification
  • Critical Thinking
  • Accurate Translation
  • Consecutive Translation
  • Team Collaboration
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Reference Material Sourcing
  • Organizational Skills
  • Type 40 WPM
  • Personnel Training
  • Time Management
  • Multitasking
  • Live Interpretations
  • Staff Education
  • Adaptability
  • Public Education
  • Parent Education
  • Analytical Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Transcribing
  • Proofreading
  • Business Communications
  • Student Education
  • Problem-Solving Abilities
  • Written Communication
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Goal Setting
  • Scientific Papers Rewrites
  • Word Conflict Resolution
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Educational Team Collaboration
  • Service Oriented
  • Staff Education
  • Microsoft Access
  • Ethical Codes Adherence
  • Word Conflict Identification
  • Exceeding Customer Expectations
  • Product Knowledge
  • Medical Law and Ethics
  • Anatomy and Physiology

Certification

  • [Bilingual Anatomy and Physiology I & II ], [Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) & Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education ] [NATIONAL LATINO EDUCATION INSTITUTE 02-03]
  • [ Bilingual Medical Terminology I,II ], [Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) AND Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education ] [NATIONAL LATINO EDUCATION INSTITUTE 02-03]
  • [Bilingual Psychology], [Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) AND Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education ] [NATIONAL LATINO EDUCATION INSTITUTE 02-03]
  • [Bilingual Pharmacology], [Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) AND Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education ] [NATIONAL LATINO EDUCATION INSTITUTE 02-03]
  • [Bilingual Lab and Test Procedures], [Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) AND Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education ] [NATIONAL LATINO EDUCATION INSTITUTE 02-03]
  • [Bilingual Medical Law and Ethics], [Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) AND Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education ] [NATIONAL LATINO EDUCATION INSTITUTE 02-03]
  • [Bilingual Medical Transcription], [Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) AND Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education ] [NATIONAL LATINO EDUCATION INSTITUTE 02-03]

Timeline

Spanish Medical

Loyola University Medical Center
06.2021 - 02.2023

Core Interpreter And Translator

Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
01.2021 - 09.2023

Medical Interpreter

University of Chicago Medical Center
01.2019 - Current

Medical Interpreter

Mt Sinai Hospital
04.2010 - 06.2021

H&R Block

Senior Tax Analyst
12.2003 - Current

Professional Medical Interpreter: - Professional Medical Interpreter:

Heartland Alliance Cross Cultural

Bilingual Medical Assistant: Diploma - Bilingual Medical Assistant

National Latino Education Institute

Some College (No Degree) - Echocardiography

Midwestern Career College

Similar Profiles

  • Aejin Shon

    Aejin ShonAejin Shon

    Resident Physician at University of Chicago Medical CenterResident Physician at University of Chicago Medical Center

  • Marica Boyd

    Marica BoydMarica Boyd

    Certified Sterile Processing Technician at University of Chicago Medical CenterCertified Sterile Processing Technician at University of Chicago Medical Center

  • Cindy Trichak

    Cindy TrichakCindy Trichak

    Registered Nurse at University of Chicago Medical CenterRegistered Nurse at University of Chicago Medical Center

  • Aja Austin

    Aja AustinAja Austin

    Surgical Patient Services Assistant at University of Chicago Medical CenterSurgical Patient Services Assistant at University of Chicago Medical Center

  • Andrea Olson

    Andrea OlsonAndrea Olson

    Supplier Operations Associate at Parachute HealthSupplier Operations Associate at Parachute Health

CREATE PROFILE
Maria Tapia