| It makes sense that the U.S. has no official language. | | | | assess an interpreter’s capability is through a live |
| The country is a virtual melting pot of cultures. With the | | | | interview. |
| rise in number of non-English speakers in the U.S., the | | | | Qualified medical interpreters must also possess a |
| demand for capable interpreters has grown. Hospitals | | | | decent knowledge of medical terminology. The names |
| especially depend greatly on medical interpreters to | | | | and translations for basic medical instruments and |
| facilitate patient-doctor interactions. Interpreters allow | | | | procedures are needed in order to explain the |
| doctors to overcome the language barrier and | | | | doctor’s suggestions, diagnoses and instructions to |
| perform their job efficiently. Good medical interpreters | | | | the patient. A medical interpreter must be aware of |
| reduce miscommunications and the possibility of | | | | how the patient-doctor dynamic works and he must |
| medical mistakes. Hospitals that employ medical | | | | be capable of dealing with sensitive and personal |
| translator attract more international and non-native | | | | topics. Though not necessary, there are some schools |
| patients. | | | | that provide certification for medical interpreters. |
| What makes a good medical interpreter? | | | | Though experience and ability are the most important |
| A college degree is helpful but not necessary for a | | | | things, these certificates do boost an applicant’s |
| career as a medical interpreter. In fact there are many | | | | chances. Interpreter agencies might be used by |
| great medical interpreters today who do not have a | | | | hospitals as well, as they (the agencies) save hospitals |
| college degree. What a medical interpreter must be | | | | the trouble of having to conduct interviews themselves. |
| able to do is translate complex ideas from one | | | | The key thing to look for when hiring an interpreter, |
| language to another. Often, phrases might not be | | | | however, remains his or her ability to understand and |
| directly translatable. In such instance, a good interpreter | | | | convey complex ideas in both languages. A lot |
| must be able to think on his or her feat and come up | | | | depends on the interpreter’s job, as without good |
| with ways to accurately convey the essential meaning | | | | communication, it is difficult for a doctor to do his job. |
| of the phrase. Written and spoken fluency in both | | | | There are many online resources when looking for a |
| languages is a must. But ultimately the only way to | | | | medical interpreter in a short period of time. |