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Tag Archive for: Medical Interpreter

List of Top 15 Medical Interpreter Services in the USA

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Medical terminology is a tough one to understand and one that is not easy to comprehend by everyone. Although this terminology is difficult to understand by English speakers residing in the USA, it is even more difficult to comprehend by non-English speakers belonging to other nationalities and languages. Owing to the critical need of providing medical interpretation services, we have come up with a list of medical interpreter services in the USA that ensure all communication related to the medical field is clear for all stakeholders. 

If you own any type of medical practice services in the USA, and your patients belong to a diverse set of language communities, you can benefit highly from hiring healthcare or medical interpretation services. Doing so will prove that you are culturally sensitive and accept patients belonging to all languages and walks of life. Furthermore, by hiring a medical interpretation service in the USA, you will start to see more patients who are likely to choose your healthcare facility over competitors, thus increasing your ROI in the global market.

Top Medical Interpretation Services Provider in the USA

Whether it is a patient form or complex medical research comprising lengthy content, providing accurate and professional medical interpretation services is a must in this age. As new medical phenomenons surface and healthcare sciences gain advancements, it is mandatory for medical companies to avail professional medical interpretation services for all their needs and content, including patient files, pharmaceutical content, and research papers–just to name a few. 

Here are some of the top medical interpretation services in the USA:

1. Life Science Translation

Life Science Translation is a renowned name in the medical interpretation and translation industry. Founded in 2012, the localization and translation company has been providing professional interpretation and localization solutions for over a decade. 

It is among the most reliable interpreting service providers in the USA, providing seamless language solutions in an efficient manner. With a pool of native and industry-specific interpreters, the company provides flawless services and a hassle-free experience. It facilitates clients to enable smooth communications in all situations. Whether you need remote interpretation or onsite, it covers everything. 

Website: https://lifesciencetranslation.com/

Industry: Medical & Life Science

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: California, United States

Founded: 2012

2. LanguageLine Solutions

LanguageLine Solutions is a translation and interpretation service based in Monterey, California. Founded in 1982, LanguageLine Solutions provides language interpretation solutions as well as document translation services globally for law enforcement organizations, healthcare, legal courts, academic businesses, and more in over 240 languages. Considered by many the largest interpretation service providers in the USA, LanguageLine Solutions has a global workforce of over 9,000 interpreters who can handle more than 36 million calls each year. 

Interpretation services are not the only type of services provided by LanguageLine Solutions. The company also offers video, remote, and onsite interpretation services, translation and localization services, and language proficiency testing and training services. 

Website: https://www.languageline.com/

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Monterey, California, 

Founded: 1982

3. The Language Doctors Inc.

The Language Doctors (TLD) is amongst the leading medical interpretation services in the USA. Founded in 1994, the company holds a leading position in document translation, website localization, and medical interpretation services worldwide. The company operates on six continents and its interpreters are fluent in over 300 global languages. Other than this, they have an experience of 25 years and continue to grow with a growth outlook for the future. 

To provide unparalleled medical interpretation services, the company has over 5000 expert translators and interpreters who can interpret and translate in over 200 language pairs. With a specialization in healthcare interpretation, TLD has a comprehensive screening process that assigns only certified linguists to each project based on their interpretation experience, education, and specialization. The extent of skills of these interpreters can be estimated from the fact that the specializations of TLD language experts have enabled them to serve the USA Department of Justice as well as the USA Department of Health and Human Services.

Website: https://thelanguagedoctors.org/

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Landover, Maryland

Founded: 1994

4. Cyracom Language Solutions

Another leading medical interpretation and translation service is Cyracom Language Solutions. Founded in 1995, the company boasts of serving thousands of clients since its inception. The company supports more than 100 language pairs and its interpreters are skilled at delivering interpretation services that are a class apart. In addition, the company also provides various interpretation services such as phone interpretation, video, and onsite interpretation. 

The skilled interpreters at CyraCom Interpreters take approximately 120 hours of comprehensive healthcare training, which is approximately three times more extensive than the competing interpretation services. Consequently, according to a poll, over 95% of customers refer to CyraCom as one of the best interpretation service providers. 

Due to its professional interpretation solutions, CyraCom has audited and gained multiple ISO certifications and is well-reputed to provide help to hospitals regarding communication with their patients. CyraCom works in collaboration with its clients to determine the various needs of clients–including language needs, type of appointment, and frequency of usage. 

Moreover, CyraCom has over 500 healthcare providers residing in hospitals and insurance companies. Due to the untiring efforts of its medical interpreters, CyraCom has been awarded the Gold Best in Biz Awards for Company of the Year Award and Website of the Year Reward.

Website: http://interpret.cyracom.com

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Tucson, Arizona

Founded: 1995

5. Morningside Translations

Morningside Translations is another name in the interpretation marketplace, known for providing world-class interpretation and localization services to a large variety of industries worldwide. 

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in New York, Morningside Translations equips the leading organizations of the world with their end-to-end translations and medical localization solutions in more than 200 languages. The company has over 4,000 clients in 55 countries and is well-recognized for subject matter expertise in regulated industries such as legal services, corporate compliance, medical interpretation, and healthcare sciences.

Having so many translators and interpreters gives Morningside Translations an edge over its competitors, which means that many healthcare organizations seek the help of Morningside Translations for their medical interpretation tasks. 

Along with providing end-to-end intellectual property and language solutions, Morningside Translations is globally recognized for its technology innovation in regulated markets such as IT, legal services, life sciences, and interpretation for medical content. 

Website: http://www.morningtrans.com

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: New York, NY

Founded: 2000

6. United Language Group

Renowned for providing localization and interpretation solutions in over 200 global languages, United Language Group is another name in the list of medical and healthcare interpreters. The company delivers various interpreting services for its clients, including over-the-phone, simultaneous, video remote, and in-person interpretation services. In addition, the company has the ability to adapt to new and latest interpretation technology and expertise.

Founded in 2015, United Language Group delivers a wide range of interpretation and localization solutions to various industries such as government and healthcare services, as well as legal and insurance services. 

To ensure better service consistency and business continuity, the company relies on its over-the-phone contact services that are spread throughout the world. This is the reason why these interpreters receive millions of calls per year.

The medical interpreters at United Language Solutions know and understand the nuances of vertical markets from healthcare to finance. This allows them to speak to customers in ways they can understand. Moreover, the company has dealt with many medical interpretation projects in the past and continues to do so with a professional approach in perspective. 

Website: http://unitedlanguagegroup.com

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Minneapolis, USA

Founded: 2015

7. Interpreters Unlimited Inc.

Interpreters Unlimited Inc. is one of the oldest and most well-known interpretation companies and localization services based in the USA. With an experience of 70 years, Interpreters Unlimited has delivered thousands of interpretation services since its inception. The company delivers interpreter services in more than 200 different languages, including some of the hardest languages such as Spanish, Mandarin, Hmong, German, French, and Italian.

Interpreters Unlimited’s unique edge that sets it apart from its competitors is the different mediums it uses for its interpretation services such as telephone, video, and on-site interpretation. Due to its unwavering professionalism, the company has gained over 9000 contracted interpreters which aid it in assigning the best interpreters for all its projects. Moreover, these interpreters are trained under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules and regulations and have achieved numerous awards such as San Diego Business Journal Fastest-Growing Private Companies 2020, Common Sense Advisory Top 100 Language Service Providers Worldwide 2020 and Nimdzi Top 20 Global Interpreting Leaders Award.

Website: http://www.interpreters.com

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: San Diego, CA

Founded: 1970

8. GTS Translation

GTS Translation is an internationally and globally recognized translation and interpretation industry. It specializes in providing document translation services, localization, and interpretation services for various industries. Founded in 2001, the company is a well-known name in the delivery of medical and healthcare interpretation services that are a class apart.

A competitive edge that GTS Translation has is its commitment to upholding quality in all its interpretation and translation services. The GTS Quality Management System (QMS) is compliant with the ISO 17100:2015 standard and is audited annually by an international certification body. Furthermore, the interpretation and translation projects that the company executes are reviewed thoroughly before delivery in order to ensure high quality in translation. 

In addition to providing accurate and professional localization and translation solutions for medical devices and healthcare documents, the company also specializes in medical interpretation services.

Website: http://www.gts-translation.com

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Miami, Florida

Founded: 2001

9. Sorenson Communications

One of the leading names in localization and interpretation services, Sorenson Communications is well-known for its quality services. The company delivers accessible communications for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people as well as interpretation services. The company combines patented technology with human-centric services in order to connect spoken and signed languages. 

Founded in 2003, Sorenson Communications is one of the best localization and interpretation services in North America. The company operates more than 100 interpreter centers in North America and offers caption and video relay services, video and in-person sign language interpretation, and post-production language services.

Sorenson Communications is the pioneer of videophone, which has enabled communications with the deaf. In addition, Sorenson is the first company to start the emergency call system popularly known as 999. In addition, the company is a leader in American sign language providers. 

Website: http://www.sorenson.com

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Salt Lake City, UT

Founded: 2003

10. Stepes

Stepes is undoubtedly the largest and most well-known translation company that specializes in delivering modern translation services and solutions. Founded in 2015 in San Francisco, California, the company is a pioneer in chat-based mobile translation technology. The company delivers interpretation services for corporate, medical, legal, and government sectors in over 100 languages. 

Stepes revolutionized the language interpretation business by providing on-demand and just-in-time interpretation solutions over the mobile phone or on-site for global companies. Stepes’ mobile-powered interpretation technology services are designed for keeping ahead of the competition in this digital age. With medical interpretation services, a healthcare business’ medical staff can easily schedule on-site, and in-person interpretation solutions from all devices–be it iPhone, IPad, or any Android device. 

The platform operated by Stepes is powered by an AI-enabled Translation Management System that has cloud-based translation memory searches and continuous terminology management along with workflow automation. Additionally, the company can work with various content formats such as videos, software, and websites, 

Website: https://www.stepes.com/

Industry: Localization and Interpretation

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: San Francisco, California

Founded: 2015

11. AMN Language Services

AMN Language services, previously known as Stratus Video, is a localization company. It offers comprehensive language services such as remote video interpretation (VRI), over-the-phone interpretation, and error-free communication with local onsite interpreters. 

Founded in 2012, AMN Language Services is the most extensive and fastest-growing video remote interpretation company. It offers over 200 audio languages and serves over 1900 hospitals across the US to aid providers to increase patient access to quality language solutions. 

AMN health care is the parent company of Stratus Video, a specialized healthcare interpreter service. It serves people with limited English proficiency as well as deaf or Hard-of-Hearing patients. In addition, the company works in over 200 languages across the world. It also offers other available sources such as audio interpreting, on-site interpretation, video interpretation, and call centers. Moreover, the company has over 3000 qualified interpreters and is currently leveraging more than 65,000 devices in the USA.

Website: https://www.amnhealthcare.com/language-services/

Industry: Hospital and Healthcare

Type: privately held 

Headquartered in: Dallas, Texas

Founded: 2012

12. Ulatus

A Crimson Interactive Company, Ulatus is a well-reputed company offering “ready-to-publish” translation and localization solutions. These solutions, which are unique in themselves, use the best advancements in the market to support customer growth and progress. 

Founded in 2005, Ulatus has been offering specialized business and translation solutions to supply and support organizations, digital specialists, medical researchers, and other stakeholders worldwide. The company uses 1st multilingual solutions in over 50 languages and 125 local dialects. 

Ulatus delivers a unique and competitive edge over its competitors by being multifaceted Its unique and in-country “liguists team” delivers state-of-the-art technology as well as Quality Control Processes that deliver a global perspective to customers. 

Due to its professional translation and localization solutions, Ulatus is becoming one of the fastest-growing global transformation solutions. The company strives and aims at delivering professional interpretation solutions to its customers. It operates in more than 200 global languages and has offices in the USA, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Turkey. 

Website: https://www.ulatus.com/

Industry: Translation and Localization

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: New York

Founded: 2005

13. Day Translations

When it comes to translation and localization solutions, Day Translations is amongst the leading companies to provide these services. Day Translations provides localization and translation services in more than 116 global languages. Among the many services that it provides, medical and healthcare interpretation services are just to name a few.

Day Translations has a vast and extended team of 10,000 linguists and language service providers present throughout the world. Working remotely, they deliver professional and unwavering translation and interpretation services. The company delivers extensive and professional interpretation services for the medical industry through various methods, such as in-person, video, and over-the-phone services. Additionally, the certified linguists of Day Translations deliver 100% human translations that are accurate and highly precise. Moreover, the company possesses a five-step quality assessment process involving meticulous proofreading, precision editing, and project management reviews.

Website: https://www.daytranslations.com

Industry: Translation and Localization

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Tampa, Florida

Founded: 2007

14. Telelanguage

Known especially for providing interpretation services over the phone, Telelanguage is a renowned name in the translation industry. Founded in 1991, the company has been delivering accurate and highly professional interpretation services irrespective of the industry and type of business. 

The company has more than 6000 interpreters throughout the world who execute the interpretation through phone calls. The company has a track record of delivering translation and over-the-phone interpretation services in more than 350 global languages. 

One unique service that Telelanguage delivers is remote video interpretation. For customers who require fast communication and correspondence, Telelanguage delivers video interpretation. The process of video remote interpretation (VRI) involves the use of devices such as web cameras or videophones to provide sign languages or spoken interpretation. This video interpretation service is handled by professional interpreters in a remote or off-site setting in order to bridge the communication gap between two parties communicating remotely. In addition to remote interpretation, the company also delivers on-site interpretation services for all industries such as tech, legal, and healthcare. 

Website: https://telelanguage.com/

Industry: Translation and Localization

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Portland

Founded: 1991

15. K International

K International is another well-renowned name in the translation and interpretation industry. With its team of highly skilled and professional interpreters, K International delivers interpretation services for all industries, including the healthcare and medical industries. Founded in 1986, K International has worked with public and private sector organizations to deliver translation and internationalization services.

In addition to delivering remote interpretation services, K International provides translation services such as retail label packaging translation, interpretation, and accessibility services. These are delivered for all industries such as retail, legal, entertainment, and healthcare industry. 

Website: http://www.k-international.com

Industry: Translation and Localization

Type: Privately held

Headquartered in: Milton Keynes, Bucks

Founded: 1986

Key Takeaway

Medical and healthcare interpretation services are amongst the most sought-after services in the United States. The reason is that some diagnoses, treatments, and medical advice are shared only over the phone or through videos. This requires professional and accurate interpretation to communicate the particulars to the other party. To make it easier for companies to select medical interpretation services in the USA, we have compiled a list of the best and most highly professional medical interpretation companies for hassle-free service.

Also Read: List of Top 5 Medical Translation Agencies in the USA

Medical Interpreter vs. Medical Translator

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In a healthcare setting, communication is of utmost importance. It plays a crucial role in determining a smooth dialogue between patients and healthcare workers. Owing to this crucial need of making communication between stakeholders easy, medical companies and clinics hire medical interpreters and medical translators. They make communication between medical stakeholders speaking different languages easy and hassle-free.

Although many people consider medical interpreters and translators to be the same, some differences distinguish the two from each other. Any person using the services of a medical interpreter or translator must be aware of the differences between the two.

Before we explore the differences between a medical interpreter and a medical translator, it is important to define an interpreter and translator.

Who is a Translator?

A translator is a person who converts written text from one language to another. If you have a document and you want to convert the contents of that document into another language, you will need the services of a translator. The translator will carefully analyze your document before converting it into your chosen language. He will then send the translated document to you in exchange for a translator fee. 

Who is an Interpreter?

An interpreter is a person who converts oral speech from one language to another. If two parties that do not speak the same language need to converse with each other, they can hire an interpreter. He will bridge the communication gap. One party speaks to the interpreter in his native language, communicating what they want the other party to know. The interpreter listens closely and communicates the message to the other party in its native language. Thus, a dialogue takes place between parties with the help of an interpreter. 

Why Medical Translation and Interpretation are important?

These are the reasons why the services of skilled medical translators and interpreters are so important:

1. The Medical Field is a Sensitive One

Certified medical translation and interpretation both comprise one of the sensitive fields of translation–the healthcare field. Contrary to other fields and subjects, there is no chance or tolerance for mistakes and errors in healthcare. The reason for this is that an incorrect translation may harm the health or well-being of the parties and could lead to interventions such as surgery or the prescription of powerful medications associated with the risk of serious complications.

Due to the high sensitivity of the medical field, the translation and interpretation should be carried out by highly proficient people who can exercise a high degree of concern to ensure the quality of their work. 

2. Global Migration has Driven Demand

According to statistics, there is quite high demand for language interpretation in medical services. The reason is that there are approximately 45 million people in the US who do not speak English as their primary language while an additional 21 million people report that they do not speak English fluently. 

The field of medical translation and interpretation has become more critical with the rise in global and worldwide migration. When a large number of people move from one country to another, medical services are one of the top services they need. They may also require health care, particularly in emergencies and the absence of a medical interpreter or a translator can spell trouble.

3. International Tourism has Expanded

Until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global tourism was accelerating and increasing every year. This global tourism could result in people becoming stranded in emergency rooms or finding themselves in medical situations where they are unable to comprehend or communicate in the local language. This is where the services of a medical interpreter come in. 

4. Medical Tourism is on the Rise

One other opportunity for demand in healthcare translation and interpretation is medical tourism which has been on the rise owing to international flight connections and globalization as well as the need for international intervention in medical diagnosis and treatments.

Medical tourism occurs when people in countries with a high cost of healthcare, like the United States, choose to get medical services in countries where the quality of medical diagnosis is high, but the costs are much more affordable. 

An example is the field of cosmetic surgery and dentistry as well as joint replacements, organ transplantation, and cardiovascular surgery. The medical tourism industry faces the problems of language and cultural gaps, which is why many hospitals and organizations associated with the medical field have medical interpreters available on call. 

Medical Interpreter and Medical Translator—What are the Differences?

Simply put, the biggest difference between a medical interpreter and a medical translator is the medium–a medical interpreter works orally, while a medical translator works on written text. 

Here are the differences between the two:

  1. The difference in Roles:

The Role of a Medical Interpreter:

A trained medical interpreter is essential for maintaining communication in a healthcare setting. The right interpreter goes into the background of a conversation, allowing the two parties to converse easily with each other as if they were speaking the same language. To make this possible, an interpreter assumes the following roles during a communication session:

  • A Channel of Communication

An interpreter is a channel of communication from one person to another, and this role as the “bridging channel” is the biggest role that an interpreter plays. The interpreter takes language from one party and interprets it in the target language. Likewise, a medical interpreter bridges the communication gap between a patient and a doctor or between two doctors who do not share the same language. 

  • A Clarifier

An interpreter often has to move to the role of a clarifier between the parties. He then has to confirm understanding and make a request. A medical interpreter is often required to explain the message from one party to another as it might involve a medical term that is difficult to understand by the other party. Often this happens when a doctor wants to describe an ailment to a patient. A medical interpreter clarifies and explains the terminology to the patient that would otherwise be difficult for him to understand. 

  • An Advocate

The role of an “advocate” is probably the most controversial role that a medical interpreter can take. When relaying a medical treatment, procedure, or medicine to a patient, an interpreter should never assume the role of an advocate. He should not communicate while having an underlying bias. The reason is that the presence of any bias by an interpreter can have potentially life-threatening consequences. 

The Role of a Medical Translator

A medical translator is responsible for converting physician advice, diagnosis, written patient information, pharmacological instructions, and other related medical procedures from one language to another, often in a written form.

  • A Channel of Communication

As opposed to a medical interpreter, a medical translator does not work through spoken word. He does not interpret from one language to another. A medical translator is only a channel to bridge the communication gap. He is not a clarifier or an advocate. A hospital’s translation is mostly concerned with files, notes, test results, and transcripts. A medical translator must translate all the information word for word, as closely as possible to the original text. 

  • A Collaborator

A medical translator has to play the role of a collaborator when undertaking the task of translation. The role of a medical collaborator is to convey the meanings and context of a medical text as closely as possible to the target party. For this, a medical translator needs to collaborate with doctors, medical experts, and even patients to convey the translation. This “collaborative” role also helps to ensure all the hard-to-understand information is communicated easily for comprehension. 

  • A Written Liaison

In the process of translating an academic paper or an article, a translator has to work closely with his client. The translator has to clarify aspects of a source text when prompted by a client. For example, the translation of a medical condition that is hard to understand has to be done in a way that is easy to comprehend by all medical stakeholders. Since these interpreters are not medical translators, they are not responsible for translating the use or instructions to operate the equipment. 

Unlike a medical interpreter, a medical translator is required to convey the necessary information in writing. Since they are not medical interpreters, they are not responsible for assisting a patient in the physician’s office. Instead, they are a “written liaison: between a company and healthcare professional or a patient and healthcare professional. 

  • A Client Dealer

When working with a client or a company, a translator must closely communicate and collaborate with the other party for executing the task of translation effectively. In the case of a medical translation, a translator has to deal with a client and enquire about the query he has with the other party. For example, a medical translator communicates the need for a medical diagnosis to a healthcare professional and hence “deals” with the two parties.

  1. The Difference in Skill Sets

There are profound differences between the skill sets of a medical interpreter and a medical translator. But both of these people need to handle their tasks carefully to ensure patient safety and accurate medical collaboration. 

The Skill Set of an Interpreter:

  • Fluency in understanding languages

An interpreter should be skilled enough to read and comprehend instructions. However,  writing and typing skills are not important for an interpreter. An interpreter must be fluent in the spoken languages they are supposed to interpret in, including every accent or dialect of those languages. 

  • Fluency in pronunciation

An interpreter is required to “speak” the translation of the dialogue between the parties. He must have excellent fluency in pronouncing the words and sounds as well as phenomes. A medical language uses many complex names, which are often hard to pronounce, such as the names of medicines or diagnoses. A medical interpreter must be able to comprehend and understand what is being communicated. He should have a clear grasp of pronunciation to be able to communicate the message to the other party so that no confusion or misunderstandings arise. 

  • Fluency in speech conversion

An interpreter is required to work in real-time. This means he needs to convert speech from one language to another without breaking the flow of the conversation. The time constraint between an interpreter and a translator dialogue makes the job of a medical interpreter a very difficult one. This is so because he cannot refer to a medical dictionary or an encyclopedia when he gets confused about a particular word. Instead, an interpreter must possess a huge lexicon of vocabulary in each language. He should also have an adept mind to recall the meanings of words that he commonly encounters on the job.

The Skill Set of a Translator:

  • Fluency in Writings Skills

A translator must be strongly familiar with the written form of each language he translates. For example, languages do not use the same Latin alphabet found in the English script. The Arabic language uses cursive, joined letters which a translator needs to write from right to left instead of from left to right. There are also many nuances when a translator is required to join those letters, as some of the letters have multiple forms. 

  • Fluency in Translating

Translation involves adaptation and conversion from one language to another. This is best handled by a professional translator who knows how to translate accurately. A medical translator must be aware of all the medical terms and common names of diseases and medicines. In this way, we will be able to translate a medical diagnosis or file without any worry. As every language script is different and each has its idiosyncrasies. The task of the translation may become a difficult one. A skilled translator, however, would be experienced enough to handle translation, as he would also be skilled in writing the languages he is required to translate into.

  1. The Difference in Educational Requirements

The Requirements for a Medical Translator

  • High school diploma in medical diagnosis and nomenclature. 
  • Proficiency in language pair. It is ideal for a medical translator to be proficient in English as a basic language and any other native version of a local language.
  • Fluency in more than one language is a requirement that a medical translator must fulfill.
  • To succeed or get hired in the field of a translator, a certification from a medical board or National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited program is necessary.
  • Certifications in the medical field and medical terminology ensure that the translator has an in-depth knowledge of medical terminology and an understanding of the usage of medical terms. 
  • The National Board of Certification of Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) offers one accredited certification that a medical translator should look into.
  • Skills in machine translation and word-for-word translation are a must for a translator. He might be required to translate complex medical documents and prescriptions. Therefore, he should be skilled enough to understand and translate them effectively.
  • Excellent command of working languages.
  • Understanding and in-depth knowledge of cultural differences between parties.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and physiology as well as medical terminology.
  • Understanding and knowledge of health care concepts as well as ethical issues related to the medical field.

The Requirements for a Medical Interpreter

  • The medical interpreter has to communicate medical-related terms between the parties. A high school diploma in medical diagnosis and treatment is a must for him. 
  • A medical interpreter must be proficient in English and any other native version of a local regional language. The more languages a medical interpreter knows, the more skilled he is.
  • Skills in spoken language are a must for a medical interpreter. They are required to communicate between parties about medical diagnoses or treatments. Owing to this, a medical translator must have a strong command of spoken English and other languages of the region.
  • Certifications from a medical board are a plus when an interpreter needs to establish communication between two parties. Preferably, a certification from a National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited program is a must.
  • An in-depth knowledge of medical terminology is required for a medical interpreter. Also, an absolute understanding of its usage as this knowledge and skill is the key to becoming an interpreter who is in demand. 
  • The National Board of Certification of Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) offers accredited certification courses that a medical interpreter should enroll in. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills such as clear speech or sign language.
  • The ability to work bi-directionally, actively conversing in both languages.
  • String interpersonal skills and an understanding of dialects in regional languages.
  • The ability to think on their feet and stay calm and patient as required by medical dialogue between parties.
  • A command over listening and memory skills.
  • An ability to understand and interpret non-verbal cues.

Key Takeaway

The field of medical sciences is complex and extremely sensitive. It requires utmost care and precision as far as translation and interpretation are concerned. A medical translator and interpreter both are tasked with the sensitive job of establishing communication between patients, healthcare workers, and medical organizations. That’s why they should leave no room for incorrect translation or misinterpretation. Failure to properly communicate coil result in catastrophic outcomes for patients and all stakeholders.

Also Read: Complete Guide on How to Become a Qualified Medical Translator

Infographic: Key Difference Between Medical Interpreter and Medical Translator

15 Key Terms of Medical Terminology for Interpreters

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In this article, we are going to discuss the key terms of medical terminology for Interpreters in today’s world. Every field has a specific terminology that differentiates it from each other. To deal specifically in that field, you must be aware of specific terminologies. In the medical field, medical terminology holds great importance because it deals with human life. Although medical doctors know about these terminologies because it is a part of their education, what about the public? Here the medical interpreters play an important role. Many people from developing countries visit developed countries to get better healthcare facilities. The biggest problem they face is communication. How can they take advantage of the best medical services if they don’t understand the languages? Here, medical interpreters play a pivotal role by providing medical interpretation services to healthcare providers and patients so that they can understand each other perfectly.

Do You Know What Medical Interpreting Is?

To provide better health services to their clients, many doctors comprehend their questions so that they can provide better health services to their patients. For this many language translation companies provide interpreting services to their clients, especially to those that are not good at English proficiency. Medical interpreting is a very complex and specialized work. In this work, interpreters use their skills to mitigate the communication barriers between medical doctors and patients. This job is very critical because the diagnosis of the disease and its treatment depend upon it.

Work of Medical Interpreters

The main objective of a medical interpreter is to mitigate the communication gap between the patients and doctors so that they can detect the disease of the patients correctly and provide the right medication. You must be wondering, what is the role of medical interpreting when a person with limited English proficiency visits a doctor. The interpreter should be proficient in both the source and target language. He should be aware of medical terminologies. Each sub-field of medicine, such as rheumatologists and pulmonologists, has its own set of terminologies.

Therefore, to deal with a variety of terminologies, the interpreter should be a subject-matter expert. No doubt, becoming an interpreter in the health industry is very demanding. But on the other hand, they also get emotional satisfaction when they can save the lives of people. The type of interpretation services that people with limited English proficiency are looking for depends upon the size and location of the health care department. For instance, in rural areas, where the financial facilities are limited, and an interpretation is needed in specific languages, here the viable option is to go for over-the-phone interpreting. The large healthcare centers that are required to handle more patients can go for on-site interpreting and video remote interpreting. In some medical care centers, all these interpreting services are available.

15 Key Terms of Medical Terminology 

Medical terminologies are so difficult. Therefore, a layman cannot pronounce and understand them. Doctors sometimes speak such difficult terminologies that the patients have not heard them before, so they confuse them with other terms. Medical interpreters must be familiar with these difficult terminologies and must communicate effectively between patients and doctors. If they don’t, the doctors will not be able to diagnose the disease and the disease can easily become lethal.

There are many medical health conditions that lead to havoc results. The doctor uses a difficult medical term that a patient has not heard before. On the other hand, patients misinterpret it and follow the treatment plan without understanding it. The patient confuses his disease with a similar type of other disease. An interpreter conveys the wrong message to the doctor and the doctor keeps on giving the same treatment to the patient which is not up to the specific disease. To avoid such situations, let’s have a look at key terms of medical terminology for Interpreters.

Palpitation and Palpation:

Palpitation is an irregular heartbeat, whereas palpation is the method of doctors to check broken bones from their figures.

Strain, Sprain, and Fracture:

A strain is the body situation when you get your muscles damaged from overstretching, whereas a sprain is the misallocation of bones. Moreover, a fracture is a broken bone.

Sycosis and Psychosis:

Sycosis is an ailment that causes inflammation in hair follicles. Psychosis is a totally different disease related to mental health. It is a disease when the patient starts touching and hearing things that don’t exist.

Dementia vs Alzheimer’s:

People often get confused with these two terms. Dementia is related to memory loss, whereas Alzheimer’s deals with cognitive and functional impairment.

Dysphasia and Dysphagia:

Dysphasia relates to the injury of the brain, with which human beings are unable to communicate. Dysphagia makes a man unable to swallow anything.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritated Bowel Syndrome:

Inflammatory bowel disease is related to tiredness, bleeding, and ulcers, whereas irritated bowel syndrome is a condition of the digestive system which is not working properly because for unknown reasons.

Vein and Artery:

A vein is a blood vessel that deals with the blood flow when there is a lack of oxygen. Arteries are the tubes that supply blood full of oxygen from the heart to the body.

Hypotension and Hypertension:

Hypotension relates to low blood pressure, and it did not cause serious implications. Hypertension refers to high blood pressure and has serious health impacts.

Echocardiogram and Electrocardiogram:

An echocardiogram is a heart ultrasound. It shows the condition of the heart, and doctors can diagnose clots and tumors with this heart ultrasound. On the other hand, an echocardiogram checks muscle tissue damage, chemical imbalances, and irregularities in the heartbeat.

Perineal and Peroneal:

The Perineal is the pelvic floor. It can be male or female. The Peroneal is a nerve outside the calf.

Cervical:

It is a term used for the cervical bones of a neck, or it can be a woman’s cervix which is related to the uterus opening.

Vesicle and Vesical:

A Vesicle is a type of bubble under the skin. It is filled with fluid. It can be a sac, cyst, vacuole, or blister.

Ilium and IIeum:

The IIium is a large part of the upper pelvic bone. The IIeum is the part of the small intestine that connects the colon.

Aural and Oral:

Aural is related to the ears, whereas oral is related to the mouth.

Coronavirus and Covid-19: 

These two words are being used interchangeably. Coronavirus is a type of virus that looks like spikes on the surface of the virus cell. MERS, SARS, and Covid-19 are a type of Coronavirus.

Importance of Medical Interpreting

The importance and value of interpreting are well assessed by the number of patients that are seeking proper medical care services. These services can be given by professional medical interpreters. They can not only facilitate communication between doctors and patients, but they can also help in the admission, consultation, and examination of patients. The interpreter helps the doctors and healthcare staff in direct communication in the language that they understand. Apart from interpreting at the backside, they can come into a conversation to ensure that information is disseminated correctly. Thus, they are an active part of healthcare services.

How to Become a Medical Interpreter?

  • If the patient is not dealing with any chronic disease, then first you should keep certain symptoms in mind. For example nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation. After that, start taking notes. This will help you in relating symptoms with the disease.
  • Secondly, as a medical interpreter, you should learn how the patients describe their pain. For example, throbbing, burning, stabbing, and sharp. You should repeat these words again and again in the language that the patient understands. After that, you must learn how to interpret the pain on the scale. Don’t panic while asking questions. You will come across many patients that can not describe the pain on a scale. This can be due to cultural intricacies.
  • Be comfortable in saying words like vomiting, urination, peeing, and bowel movements as they are all functions of the body. But do differentiate which words are used for animals and which are used for human beings.
  • Learn about body organs and systems. Many times, you will hear a question from the doctor about whether you have problems with your kidneys, lungs, heart, bladder, or liver.  Apart from these, do learn about different glands of the body like endocrine or endocrine glands. Also, try to learn how to say ducts.
  • You should know other stuff, which is in your body like ovaries, cysts, cartilage, ligaments, bones, muscles, and tendons.
  • Learn the terminologies related to medical devices, for example, MRI, CT scan, X-rays, Pelvic exam, urinalysis, colonoscopy endoscopy, and many more.

Wrapping Up

You can become a proficient medical interpreter if you have a medical background and prior experience in the medical field. Only language proficiency is not enough. Moreover, you should be brave enough to see the lethal disease of patients. Apart from all these qualities, if you have a passion for saving humanity, then you can become a good medical interpreter. Are you ready to take on this challenge of becoming a medical interpreter? If you learn the key terms of medical terminology, then your medical interpreter career pursuit will become easy.