08 Oct 4 tips for becoming a better medical interpreter

Posted by - Rubén

Medical interpreting is a job position on high demand. Hospitals, NGOs, and different healthcare events may require the services of a qualified medical interpreter. So, if you work in this field, just think about your skills and how could you improve your abilities. Medical translation and interpreting agencies, as Okomeds, just contact the most qualified professionals. It does not matter if you have just graduated from University or have a 30-years-experience, if you aim to become a high-qualified medical translator, read carefully the following tips.

Any medical interpreter must have a heart- in the figurative sense, of course – and put him/herself in the shoes of the patient.

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Continuous learning

Medicine is a very wide field and science discover new knowledge everyday. That is a fantastic fact, but also implies that a medical interpreter has to constantly update him/herself to the latest discovers. Do it for your own good, so focus on weekly obligations; for example you can read essays, theories or procedures and write down appointments for opening a new universe of information.

Interpreting training

If it is your first ever job or you have not interpreted for years, you better train yourself. Interpreting requires a high-development technique, which is easy to forget and quasi-mandatory to train. Several courses are organised for refreshing interpreting techniques and vocabulary. You can also attend seminaries of any field while taking notes, which will help you facing the real moment.

Get certifications

You can combine your daily work with regulated certifications for a medical interpreter. The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreter’s is recognised in the US, but also very renowned abroad. Being a medical sworn interpreter will be the icing of the cake in your curriculum vitae.

Have a heart

Any medical interpreter must have a heart- in the figurative sense, of course – and put him/herself in the shoes of the patient. You may get frustrated at patient’s requests and questions, but you also must control the situation and remember that you are the link among him/her and the medical specialist. Besides, take into consideration the patient’s scenario: he/she might be in a foreign country, away from family and friends, and without speaking the national language. Not easy…

It is a long distance race, you must work hard for getting your reward.