Working as a medical interpreter can be extremely rewarding. Not only do interpreters often enjoy impressive salaries, they can rest easy at the end of the night knowing that they’re doing everything possible in order to help those in need. It can also be a stressful position, however, as there is a lot that needs to be taken into consideration. Improper interpretation can not only lead to a lost job, but in extreme scenarios can even cause the death of a patient.
For those who are interested in landing a job as an interpreter in the medical field, there are a variety of skills that need to be learned. Here are three essential skills that all medical interpreters need to know in order to succeed in their field.
1. Advanced Language Skills
If you’re going to be an interpreter in any particular field, having advanced language skills under your belt is the first and most important thing you’ll want to do. For example, considering the amount of Spanish-speaking individuals in America, your English to Spanish interpretation abilities need to be top-notch. It can take years of experience to gain these skills, which many people find very frustrating. Put in the right amount of work, however, and you’ll no doubt be on track for success.
2. Sensitivity to Cultural Issues
Advanced language skills aren’t the only things you’ll need in order to be a good medical interpreter. Since you’ll no doubt run into high-stress situations every once in a while, it’s important to be sensitive to any cultural issues that you might encounter. This might require understanding the differences between cultures or having lived outside the country, but most of all, it means being able to step in when sensitive issues do indeed pop up. The more you know about cultures that are prominent in your local community, the better an interpreter you’re likely to become.
3. A Mastery of Healthcare-Related Terminology
Just because you can interpret like a true professional doesn’t mean this is enough to handle the job of a medical interpreter. As one might expect, a strong understanding of healthcare terminology is an essential part of succeeding at the job. It will not only make your day-to-day tasks less stressful, but it could help to prevent a disastrous scenario in which you make a costly, interpretation-related mistake. Years of schooling are often essential to learning a great deal about healthcare terminology, though you may be able to streamline the process if you take learning into your own hands.
