258244 (SNIS) BSL Interpreter

Job reference:

258244

Salary:

Band 6 (£43,231 - £52,679)

Job closing date:

14/09/2026

Job Type:

Administrative Services

Location:

Comely Bank Centre

Employment type:

Fixed-term

Hours Per Week:

14.4

Job posted date:

31/08/2026

Employer (NHS Board):

NHS Lothian

Department:

• Interpretation & Translation
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NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.
• Part time – 14.6 hrs per week
• Temporary – Fixed Term 12 months
• Band 6
• Based at Comely Bank CentreJob Role:

To provide a professional, accurate and effective Sign Language interpretation and translation into Sign Language service in the relevant Sign Language dialect on behalf of NHS Lothian, to facilitate communication between deaf patients / service users and healthcare professionals who do not share a common language.

To undertake more complex interpretation and translation allocations which may be across NHSL’s Acute, Community, Primary Care, Mental Health and Corporate Service’s settings and will cover outpatient clinics, acute hospitals, health centres, GP practices / surgeries, dental practices.

Qualifications/Experience

Essential:

• Undergraduate degree in British Sign Language
• Full Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting (minimum BSL level 6).
• Registered with a professional body (SASLI or NRCPD)
• Knowledge and understanding of the Framework for Public Service Interpreters.
• High level of competency in Sign Language and English(at least one to native standards).
• Significant relevant experience of working as an interpreter in the medical environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of a range of medical terminology.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Awareness and knowledge of the deaf culture and cultural aspects which may affect effective communication.
• Express knowledge of the health service in the UK

Informal Contacts:

Ms Julia Eighteen

julia.eightenn@nhs.scot

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.