Medical Interpreter FAQs
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 INTERPRETER 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.