The population of patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) has grown over the years. So in order to bridge this communication gap, hospitals are hiring interpreters for many different languages. There are three advantages to hiring interpreters. First is the accurate exchange of information which then leads to appropriate medical intervention. Second, the hospital can minimize potential legal liabilities. Third, the hospital can expand its clientele. Federal law may now require hospitals or health systems that receive federal monies and who sees patients with LEP to have language services and interpreters available to these patients.
Hospital interpreters take on an important role in the delivery of healthcare services. If you would like to become a medical translator, understand that your medical interpreter job, although not directly involved in the actual medical procedure or care, does require preparation. You’ll need to get some basic medical career training—fortunately, you can now enroll in degree and/or certificate programs through an accredited online school.
Here are some tips you’ll need to meet before becoming a hospital interpreter.
- Educational Requirements. Before applying for medical interpreter jobs, you’ll need to have the proper background. A degree in foreign language is preferred by employers but is generally not required. In fact, the majority of the hospital interpreters today have a bachelor’s degree in different areas. To become a hospital interpreter, the only educational requirement you may need to satisfy is a bachelor’s degree. Some suggestions for an area of concentration might be in the language that you intend to interpret for (or, if you are already fluent in a language, you may look to broaden your scope by majoring in another language). You might also be interested in looking at psychology, international studies, communications, sociology, and foreign or cultural studies. Other majors might include cultural anthropology, world geography or health policy. Some employers actually only look for an associate's degree, a high school diploma or its equivalent. Whichever major or degree you choose, two things are very important—choose a program that is interesting to you—it is much easier to get through college when you are enjoying the coursework! Also, try to make sure the degree has a connection to your chosen career as a medical translator and that the degree will help and support your intended career by giving you a unique and legitimate résumé.
- Language Fluency. If you are a native speaker of a foreign language, you have a better chance of securing a job as a hospital interpreter, given of course that you are as fluent in English. If, however, you are not a native speaker, your potential as a hospital interpreter is largely influenced by your fluency in both the foreign language and English. To provide professional interpreting services, you must also be familiar with slang terms, jargon and other linguistic elements unique to both languages.
- Job Description. Knowing and understanding the job description of a hospital interpreter will help you immensely to prepare for the job. As a hospital interpreter, you will mainly be involved in the translation of the physician’s, or other healthcare professional’s, statements or questions into the language of the LEP patient, and also translate the patient’s questions and statements. The interpretations will be done according to standards set by the hospital or clinic. Interpretation may be done simultaneously, where the interpretation happens at about the same time the patient or physician is talking, or consecutively, where you will need to wait for the individual to stop speaking before interpreting. In any case, your language assistance will be necessary during the initial visit, before and during diagnostic procedures, in explaining the administration of medication(s), for medical emergencies and for surgical procedures. At other times, you will also be needed to interpret written documents. It will be important for you to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the patient. It will also be important for you to translate precisely the comments and questions of the patient, the physicians, the nurses and the technicians involved in the care of the patient with LEP. It is also a good idea to see if you can find someone already working in the field and ask them to mentor you—they may be able to let you shadow them—this is often an excellent way of making sure you understand the career and will also give you excellent experience, and perhaps, a recommendation from your mentor!
- Cultural Knowledge. Aside from fluency in the LEP patient’s language, you should be very familiar with the culture in which the patient lives. This is another aspect of the job of a medical interpreter. We all communicate not only through language, but gestures and perceptions as well. You can perform a vital service by providing an additional layer of understanding for the physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding treatments or procedures, which may be in conflict with the patient’s culture or belief systems.
- Training. Most employers require hospital interpreters to undergo a medical interpreting training program. These programs will teach medical terminology, various medical procedures, and allow you to practice your interpretation skills in simulated scenarios. You will be immersed in those subjects that will best prepare you for the actual work as a hospital interpreter.
Interpreter certification is currently not required for a medical interpreter job, but if you choose to get certified, you can enroll in a certification program offered by some schools and organizations. The trend in many health professions is towards certification, which can increase your employability. The current median income for a medical interpreter is $38,628. Many of the jobs available today are on a contractual or work-for-hire basis, so you may need to learn about running your own business as a self-employed medical interpreter. A few good basic business courses could come in very handy—courses such as basic accounting and taxes, marketing and networking. A career in medical interpretting can will allow you to help people communicate their needs. This can be a very fulfilling and rewarding career.