The terms medical translator and medical interpreter are often used interchangeably. However, the two professions are quite dissimilar, requiring different skill sets and methods of working, as well as addressing different areas of translation. Both jobs are performed by linguists who provide a vital role within the medical industry, allowing patients and healthcare professionals to communicate effectively.
What is a medical interpreter?
A medical interpreter provides an essential service by facilitating communication between patients and people within the healthcare industry who don’t speak the same language. An interpreter translates the spoken word and works with people face-to-face or over the phone.
In healthcare or medical situations, where there is a language barrier, the need to provide clear understanding to all parties is critical. The health and welfare of the patient is at risk if there is confusion or misunderstanding about any medical diagnosis, instructions or explanation. This is why a professional medical interpreter is needed where there is a language difference between patients and healthcare providers.
As well as being a qualified linguist, a medical interpreter must have excellent understanding of medical terminology and be able to convey exact meanings when converting what is being said into a different language. The content and the context of what is said must remain precise so that there is no misunderstanding, errors, omissions or misinterpretation.
What is a medical translator?
Medical translation services involve working with the written word and can include confidential medical information, health records, research papers, etc. The text is converted from the original language into a different language.
One of the main differences between a medical interpreter and a medical translator is that translators don’t work face to face with patients or healthcare workers. Translating medical documents is not done in real time unlike interpreting. However, patients health care often relies on accurate translation of medical terms in documents, clinical notes and other written content.
The need for accuracy and precision is extremely important in medical translation with serious repercussions and consequences for errors or omissions. These consequences can be medical, financial or legal, so translation services must be of the highest standards for quality healthcare.
Document translation services that may be provided in health care include:
- Patient records
- Clinical trial studies
- Medical device user guides
- Research papers
- Test results
- Consent forms
- Medication instruction leaflet
- Regulatory documents
- Medical certificates
- Hospital discharge letter
This is just a sample of the type of medical information that a medical translator will work with, but of course, there are many more documents that regularly require translation.
What are the key responsibilities of a medical Interpreter?
The main responsibility of a certified medical interpreter is to provide accurate and complete interpretation of the conversation between two or more parties in a medical situation. Language is critical in providing the best patient care, so it’s of the highest importance that all parties to a conversation understand one another properly.
Facilitating this understanding is at the core of what a medical interpreter does on a day-to-day basis. They should also be culturally sensitive and at all times, respect patient confidentiality.
To summarise, a medical interpreter is responsible for:
- Interpreting medical information while maintaining meaning and context
- Ensuring accurate communication between all parties
- Being culturally sensitive
- Abiding by strict patient confidentiality
Medical conversations can often be stressful and emotive so it’s important for a medical interpreter to also display empathy.
What are the Key Responsibilities of a Medical Translator?
The key responsibility of a medical translator is to convert the written word in medical documents from one language to another while maintaining the precise meaning and context of the content.
Unlike literary translation, medical translation relies completely on the accuracy and faithfulness of the translation as it relates to the original text. Any changes, mistakes or omissions could have extremely serious repercussions for patient health, professional reputation and legal action.
Translators of health care information must also keep themselves current on the latest terminology and changes within this rapidly changing industry so that their work is always up to date. In addition, understanding the target market for the information is also important as localisation of the content is often part of the translation process.
What are the skills required for a medical Interpreter?
The skills provided by healthcare interpreters allow those who are not proficient in English to access help in a medical setting. Whether that is at a hospital, GP surgery or clinic, the services provided can allow non-native speakers to get medical assistance when it’s needed.
To become a professional interpreter, you will need the following skills.
Linguistic
To be an interpreter, it’s necessary to have fluency in at least two languages. As well as having an excellent grasp of your mother tongue, a recognized qualification in another language is typically required. Many interpreters either have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in their chosen language.
Medical knowledge
To work as a medical interpreter, understanding medical language and terminology is essential. Depending on the area of medicine you are working in, you will need to keep yourself up to date with any new developments, treatments, drugs or regulations for that particular area.
Interpersonal
Interpersonal skills are an important part of working as a medical interpreter. The job involves dealing face to face with both patients and healthcare workers while discussing medical matters and interpreting what is being said. Being an active listener, having empathy and being culturally sensitive are important soft skills in this profession.
What are the skills required for a medical translator?
Medical translators work with written texts so their training is different. Nevertheless, they require similar language skills as well as in-depth knowledge of medical matters.
Linguistic
Fluency and linguistic qualifications in at least two languages are the basic requirements for working as a professional translator. Many translators will have a recognised degree in languages or a specific translation qualification. A strong command of your native language is also necessary.
Medical knowledge
To work in the medical field as a translator, you will need to have excellent medical knowledge and familiarity with the related terminology. Depending on the sector you are working in, this may be very specialised language or it could be general medical or pharmaceutical terms.
Unlike interpreters, translators don’t typically work face to face with either patients or the patients healthcare provider, so interpersonal skills are not strictly necessary. However, medical translators must follow confidentiality protocols.
What are the common tools used in medical Interpretation?
The tools used for medical interpretation depend on the type of interpretation technique being used.
For example:
- Simultaneous interpretation: the interpreter translates what the speaker is saying in real time. This technique is often used at large events and conferences.
- Consecutive interpretation: the interpreter waits for the speaker to finish speaking and then translates what was said. This is the most common in everyday interpreting.
- Liaison interpretation: an interpreter escorts a group or delegation at events such as governmental gatherings or conferences, translating as needed.
- Whispered interpretation: the interpreter translates in real time and whispers the translation to a small group.
- Relay interpretation: more than one interpreter is used, the first to translate into a pivot language and the second into the target language.
- Over the phone interpretation: simultaneous or consecutive translation over the phone. This is also used in everyday situations where the interpreter cannot be physically present.
For simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter typically wears headphones fitted with a microphone, they may also have a monitor or console.
In person interpreting doesn’t usually require any special equipment although some interpreters use a tablet, recording device or notepad.
What are the common tools used in medical translation?
For certain file types, the medical translation team at Espresso Translations use some CAT (computer assisted translation) tools such as Trados, MemoQ, Smartling, Lokalise and SmartCat.
These systems allow us to integrate with client platforms and navigate complex file types such as XML, JSON and Xliff. A glossary and translation memory can also be built with these tools providing consistency across files and preventing repetition.
Where do medical interpreters work?
Medical interpreters work in hospitals, clinics, doctors offices, rehabilitation facilities, prisons, police stations and in the courts. They also work at medical conferences, meetings or other events. Wherever health care professionals interact with patients who do not speak English, effective medical interpretation will be needed.
Where do medical translators work?
Medical translators can work in many areas such as:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Research facilities
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Language services agencies
Just like interpreting, translation services can be required in any situation where important medical documents, files or information needs to be converted from one language to another.
How much does a medical interpreter make vs medical translator?
In general, a medical interpreter will earn slightly less than a medical translator. This has nothing to do with the knowledge, medical or linguistic skills that either has. Rather, it is because an interpreter will usually be paid by the hour while a translator charges per word or page. For long and complex documents, this can lead to higher earnings. However, both depend on a number of factors including experience, the language pair, location and the specific sector that the work is in.
Medical translation and interpretation offer the opportunity to either work freelance or as an employee. Self-employed translators and interpreters can set their own rates but salaried professionals will have a more stable income and consistent work.
When you first become a medical translator or interpreter, you won’t have any experience but over time, you will accumulate more knowledge and potentially additional training. This can help to increase your salary or the rate you can charge as a freelancer.
There are many areas where healthcare interpreter services or translation of medical content is required. Gaining experience in different areas can help you to increase your portfolio and earning potential.
In the UK, the average salary for someone with medical interpreter certification is approximately £35,000 per annum or between £20-£25 per hour.
A medical translator in the UK earns approximately £38,000 annually or between 7-13 pence per word depending on the rarity of the language.
