Online Medical Interpreter Training

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects interpreters and translators to earn around $24.92 per hour or $51,830 per year on average.

Specializing in medical terminology and earning certification as a medical interpreter greatly enhance career opportunities for interpreters who wish to serve in the healthcare field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 19% job growth among interpreters and translators over the coming decade, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

WHAT DOES A MEDICAL INTERPRETER DO?

According to the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC), the interpreter’s most important role is to facilitate comfortable and clear communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

WHERE CAN MEDICAL INTERPRETERS WORK?

Generally, medical interpreters work in any healthcare setting where health-related interviews between a healthcare provider and a patient are held. Interpreters may also serve in other healthcare-related services such as financial assistance.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXCELLENCE AS A MEDICAL INTERPRETER?

The NCICH lists six key qualifications for effective medical interpreting:

Language fluency

Ethical conduct

Cross-cultural understanding

Health and medical terminology

Realtime interpreting skill

Correct interpretation of instructions

HOW DO MEDICAL INTERPRETERS GET CERTIFIED?

Certification is an assessment process by which a professional organization tests and approves a medical interpreter’s qualifications. Certification includes the assessment of language, terminology, ethics, and the interpretation process.

IS CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT FOR MEDICAL INTERPRETERS?

Certification indicates that a professional has undergone a rigorous and well-organized program of study and passed a recognized examination. It provides a clear understanding of an interpreter’s capabilities and commitment to excellence.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN “INTERPRETER” AND A “TRANSLATOR”?

“Interpreting” involves spoken communication while “translation” is dedicated to written documents. Medical interpreters help patients and healthcare professionals communicate through spoken conversations and interviews.

Develop best-practice interpreting techniques using simultaneous, consecutive and sight translation methods.

Learn medical terminology in Spanish and English and transfer terms into the opposite language.

Understand social and personal protocols for interpreting on behalf of Spanish-speaking patients.

Master the medical interpreter’s code of ethics.

Prepare to sit for a Spanish Medical Interpreter examination.

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There is no formal education requirement for either language, but bilingual Spanish and English fluency is required.

I. INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL INTERPRETATION

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – THE HUMAN BODY

PRE-ANESTHESIA RECORD FORM

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – SYSTEM AND SENSES

REFUSAL TO PERMIT BLOOD TRANSFUSION

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

MEDICAL CONDITION FORM

INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST INJECTION CONSENT

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – FACILITIES AND STAFF

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

COLLOQUIALISM

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – TREATMENT PROCEDURES, INSTRUMENTS, SUPPLIES, AND MEDICATIONS

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS – WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY

SIMULTANEOUS TECHNIQUES

CONSECUTIVE TECHNIQUES

INTERPRETING LABORATORY PRACTICES

II. INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL INTERPRETATION

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – PEDIATRIC/NEONATAL CARE

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – FAMILY PLANNING

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – PARENTS’ RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – TAKING CARE OF MOM

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – THE “BABY BLUES”

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – CONSENT FOR CATH LAB PROCEDURE

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – DENTAL HEALTH

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY FORM FOR PEDIATRIC ASTHMA PATIENT

MEDICAL VOCABULARY – SUBSTANCE ABUSE

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – OSHA REQUIRED

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS – ENGLISH INTO SPANISH

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – ADULT HISTORY FORM

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OR DISCLOSURE OF IMAGING INFORMATION

LEGAL TERMINOLOGY USED IN MEDICAL MATTERS

INTERPRETING FOR HOSPITALS – ADVANCE DIRECTIVE

INTERPRETING LABORATORY PRACTICES

III.SIGHT TRANSLATION FOR MEDICAL INTERPRETERS

PRINCIPLES OF LOCALIZATION

RE-STRUCTURING TECHNIQUES

PRINCIPLES OF REVERSIBILITY AND NON-REVERSIBILITY OF MEDICAL TERMS

INTERFERENCES – FILTERING SYNTACTICAL AND GRAMMATICAL INTERFERENCES

STYLE IN THE DELIVERY

EXAM TAKING TECHNIQUES – OBJECTIVE VERSUS SUBJECTIVE GRADING

TRANSFERRING OF LOW, REGULAR, AND HIGH REGISTER DOCUMENTS INTO THE OPPOSITE LANGUAGE

STABILITY IN THE TRANSFER

INTERPRETING LABORATORY PRACTICES

Nestor Wagner

Nestor Wagner is a Certified Medical Interpreter as well as a Certified Court Interpreter. He has been teaching interpreters since 1990. He contributes to the certification process for Immigration Interpreters and Analytical Linguists. He is active in the professional and scholarly community for advancing interpreting skills. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Washington.

This course is 100% online. Start any time.