This online Ed2Go course, offered in cooperation with SDSU Global Campus, will prepare you to effectively interpret common healthcare-related phrases and medical terminology and communicate effectively in both English and Spanish.
Start Your Career as a Spanish/English Medical Interpreter
In San Diego County, around 25% of the population speaks Spanish at home. These individuals often rely on medical interpreters to access essential medical care. Spanish/English medical interpreters are critical components of any healthcare environment where patients and healthcare professionals need help communicating.
In this online training program, you'll learn three types of interpretation skills, including simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation skills. Upon completion, you’ll be fully prepared to serve in a variety of diverse hospital and medical settings.
Job Outlook for Medical Interpreters
Medical interpreters are essential when it comes to offering healthcare in diverse populations. By becoming a medical interpreter, you’ll be making a real difference in the lives of your fellow community members. You can also earn a competitive salary in a rapidly-growing job market.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that interpreters and translators in San Diego County, California, earn a median salary of $82,150. People who specialize in interpreting for healthcare and who develop skills in translating medical terminology may have more career opportunities and the potential to earn greater salaries because of the critical need for understanding in this field. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the demand for interpreters and translators in California will increase by 19.3%, which is nearly five times the average job growth, over the next eight years. This equals 2,100 newly created jobs and 1,410 job openings in California each year for qualified professionals.
Medical Interpreter FAQs
What Does a Medical Interpreter Do?
According to the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC), the interpreter's most important role is to facilitate comfortable and clear communication between patients and healthcare professionals. As an interpreter, you’ll play a vital role in helping Spanish-speaking patients get the care they need.
Where Can Medical Interpreters Work?
Medical interpreters work in any healthcare setting where healthcare providers and patients must communicate with one another. Interpreters may also be needed in other healthcare-related services such as financial assistance, billing, scheduling, and even reception.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Medical Interpreter?
The NCICH lists six key qualifications for effective medical interpreting: language fluency, ethical conduct, cross-cultural understanding, health and medical terminology, real-time interpreting skills, and correct interpretation of instructions. This online interpreter course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to meet these standards of excellence in the profession.
How Does a Medical Interpreter Get Certified?
Certification is an assessment process by which professional organizations test and approve a medical interpreter's qualifications. These qualifications can include the assessment of language, terminology, ethics, and the interpretation process. This medical interpreter course can help you prepare you for nearly any professional medical interpreter certification exam.
Are Certifications Important for Medical Interpreters?
Certifications can indicate to employers that you’re qualified to work as an interpreter in their organization because you have undergone a rigorous program of study and passed a recognized examination. It can also showcase your capabilities and commitment to excellence and may even help you obtain a job in the field.
What's the Difference Between an Interpreter and a Translator?
The main difference between interpreting and translating is the type of communication involved. “Interpreting” involves spoken communication, whereas “translation” is dedicated to written documents. Medical interpreters help patients and healthcare professionals communicate and better understand one another through spoken conversations and interviews.