10.5 Medical Interpreter
Karen Piette, MHS, CMA
According to Haldar, S., et al. (2023), 25.7 million Americans are classified as limited english proficiency patients (LEPs). LEPs often face significant health disparities, including reduced access to medical services, difficulties in understanding healthcare information during office visits, and poorer health outcomes. For LEPs to receive effective care, it is essential that they fully comprehend their healthcare and can communicate openly with their healthcare providers. This highlights the critical role of medical interpreters.
Medical interpreters, also known as language access providers, facilitate communication between medical professionals and patients who have limited proficiency in English. They work in various healthcare settings, including physician offices, hospitals, and nursing homes, translating medical information into the patient’s native language. Medical interpreters ensure that patients understand important medical instructions, procedures, treatments, and advice from their providers. Additionally, they translate patient questions and concerns back to the healthcare providers, ensuring clear and accurate communication on both sides.
In addition to translating between patients and medical providers, medical interpreters also assist with the translation of various documents, such as medical intake forms, consent forms, insurance and billing documents, medication information, and informational pamphlets. They may also play a crucial role in facilitating follow-up medical care by translating during phone calls, conducting reminder calls, and accompanying patients to appointments.
It is essential for medical interpreters to adhere to confidentiality laws and the policies of the healthcare organizations they work with. Medical interpreters are typically well-versed in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that ensures the protection of patients’ personal health information.
Medical Interpreter Requirements and Qualifications
To work as a medical interpreter, candidates must be fluent in both English and at least one other language, with proficiency in two or more languages preferred. A key aspect of the role is the ability to accurately translate medical terminology, procedures, treatments, and other healthcare-related information.
At a minimum, medical interpreters must possess a high school diploma or GED. Coursework in college-level language studies can be advantageous. Relevant training for medical interpreters typically includes courses in medical terminology, medical ethics, the foundations of interpretation, and specialized interpretation in medical fields. Numerous programs, both in-person and online, offer certificates and associate degrees in medical interpretation.
In the United States, two national certifications are commonly recognized for medical interpreters:
- Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CorCHI): This certification is awarded by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and involves a 100-question written exam. For certain languages, such as Spanish and Arabic, an additional oral exam is required.
- Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI): This certification is awarded by the National Board for Certified Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) and involves a written exam for interpretation in languages such as Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, and Cantonese.
In Washington State, there are additional testing options. Candidates who pass both the written and oral exams from Universal Language Service may apply for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Long-Term Care (LTC) credential. ALTA Language Services is another acceptable credentialing service in Washington. To apply for the DSHS medical interpreter credential, candidates must pass three exams: English Reading Comprehension, Medical Interpretation, and English Medical Interpretation Code of Ethics.
Maintaining certification requires ongoing professional development. The CoreCHI credential, for example, mandates 32 hours of continuing education every 4 years. Other certifications have similar requirements.
For medical interpreters interested in translating for speakers of American Sign Language (ASL), certification as an international service provider (ISP) through the International Medical Interpretation Association (IMIA) is required.
Attributions
- Figure 10.2: image released under the Pexels License
Abbreviated as LEP's. Patients who do not speak English as his or her primary language, and/or have a limited ability to speak, read, write or understand English
Someone who works to convert medical language into the preferred language of a patient.
An individual who translates between languages for medical providers and their patients