Medical interpreter training is available through colleges, universities, public health schools, language schools, hospitals, and community organizations. Formal certification may be required by some employers, and proficiency in a foreign language and medical terminology is necessary for success in the field. Apprenticeships and volunteering can also provide training opportunities.
There are several ways to receive medical interpreter training, some of which culminate in formalized certification that can make a medical interpreter more employable. People interested in careers as medical interpreters may want to consider these programs along with membership in a professional organization, as these qualifications will attract potential employers and may be required by some large hospitals and clinics. People who are more interested in serving only their communities as patient advocates may seek less rigorous training options.
Specialized training is required to be a successful medical interpreter. These professionals need to be proficient in a foreign language so that they can communicate effectively and comfortably with people, and they also need to fully understand medical terminology, how medical procedures work, and how to present information about medical conditions and procedures to patients. Even more training is needed for people who want to work as medical translators, translating documents ranging from test results to academic papers from one language to another.
Formal training for medical interpreters is offered by various colleges and universities, sometimes as part of a larger program that trains interpreters, and sometimes specifically in a training program for medical interpreters. Public health schools also train medical interpreters or offer referrals to organizations that offer training if their students are interested in learning to be medical interpreters. These programs assess students against rigorous standards, only offering degrees to students who are competent and qualified to work as interpreters.
Language schools and schools that train interpreters sometimes offer courses in medical interpreting. These courses can require up to 50 hours of instruction and generally assume that the interpreters are already bilingual. For people who have not yet learned a second language, programs that offer language proficiency should be taken first so that students are comfortable learning interpretation skills. It can take several years to become comfortable with a second language, which makes medical interpreting a serious commitment for someone who is not already multilingual.
More training programs are available from some hospitals and community organizations. These medical interpreter training programs often rely on an apprenticeship format, with trainees following experienced interpreters to acquire skills. They may also include some classroom time to familiarize themselves with medical terminology and hospital protocols. Many urban communities have a critical shortage of medical interpreters, and volunteering with a community organization to receive training in medical interpreters and working in hospitals and clinics can help ensure foreign language speakers, immigrants and tourists receive the medical care they need. .
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