{"id":548,"date":"2016-07-27T20:11:59","date_gmt":"2016-07-27T20:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.besthealthsciencedegree.com\/?page_id=548"},"modified":"2016-07-26T20:24:34","modified_gmt":"2016-07-26T20:24:34","slug":"how-do-you-become-a-medical-interpreter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.besthealthsciencedegree.com\/faq\/how-do-you-become-a-medical-interpreter\/","title":{"rendered":"How do You Become a Medical Interpreter?"},"content":{"rendered":"
A medical interpreter is a valuable asset to both hospitals and to the patients seeking treatment in those facilities. As an interpreter, you must have a strong understanding of both the English language and a second language, and many facilities will not hire interpreters unless they have strong oral and written skills. You will speak with patients to ensure they understand everything the doctor says, and you’ll also speak to doctors on the patient’s behalf. Being fluent in a second language is just one requirement for the job.<\/p>\n
Many of the interpreters working in the medical industry begin working on their foreign language skills in their childhood. If you grow up in a household that speaks Spanish, you’ll have a better job switching back and forth between two languages than someone who didn’t study until their later years. You need to take foreign language courses in both high school and college too. Some interpreters have a familiarity with three or more languages, which makes them more worthwhile to employers. Hospitals may need workers capable of conversing with people from Mexico, Germany, France, China and other countries.<\/p>\n
Before you enroll in college, decide whether you want to complete a basic training program or a more detailed college course of study. College programs last for four years and provide you with a bachelor’s degree when you graduate. You’ll work with fluent speakers and have the chance to improve your accent, which can help you sound like a native speaker. A basic training program may only last for a single year. These programs are best for those who grew up in a foreign language speaking family and those who are more familiar with a second language. The program will focus more on working with patients and helping you understand medical terminology than improving your language skills.<\/p>\n