A medical translator translates medical documents from one language to another in written text, and requires excellent language skills and some knowledge of medicine. There is no specific way to become a medical translator, but education and experience in healthcare can be helpful. It is important to have specific knowledge in the area of medicine being translated. Certification exams may be required by some healthcare companies. A natural inclination and interest in medicine is beneficial for a long-term career in medical translation.
A medical translator translates medical documents, such as diagnoses, instructions, and drug treatments, from one language to another into written text. The term should not be confused with a medical interpreter who interprets orally from one language to another. Unlike medical interpreters, medical translators do not assist doctors and patients in a hospital setting.
It would be great to know exactly how one can become a medical translator. However, some surveys of the profession show that there is no specific way and it is difficult to obtain specific training. Some medical translators have medical backgrounds and have combined their medical knowledge with their knowledge of languages. Some medical translators do not have a medical background, but have personally studied various areas of medicine on an unofficial basis to provide a more accurate and reliable translation. In any case, it is certain that an excellent knowledge of languages and some knowledge of medicine is a must for anyone interested in becoming a medical translator.
It is also important to keep in mind that medical translation can require very specific knowledge. Most medical translators have found areas of medicine where they feel comfortable translating and accept projects involving those areas. As the types of documents a medical translator may need to translate can vary greatly, it may be unwise to accept projects that are far from one’s own work experience. For example, a medical translator who primarily translates informational brochures for hospitals might struggle when asked to translate medical software for a company.
If you are interested in this career, you may benefit from educational programs to improve written communication skills and medical terminology in the languages you wish to translate. In addition to education, skills and training in the healthcare industry are also invaluable. Experience in workplaces such as hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies related to health and community care will be very helpful. Some healthcare companies may require medical translators to pass a certification exam. Material for this exam may include language translation, medical terminology, and personal ethics.
It is probably safe to say that anyone looking to make a long-term career out of this challenging but rewarding profession will have a natural inclination and interest in the field of medicine.
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