Difference between Medical Interpreter and Medical Translator Training

The biggest difference between translation and interpreting is in the medium: a translator works with written text, while interpreters work orally. Although both professions require a great level of expertise, the medical translator has more time than the interpreter to become an expert. For medical interpreters, the speed of delivery is immediate. Essentially, they should be able to interpret the message in a split second, making the learning curve of this profession steeper, especially compared to that of a translator. In fact, medical interpreters essentially undergo medical translator training when they enroll in any accredited medical interpreter courses. This is because they must study a great deal of terminology in order to comprehend not only how the body functions internally, but also the medical procedures. In this sense, a medical interpreter truly needs to step into the shoes of both the doctor and the patient.

As a medical interpreter, you are an advocate for the provider and the patient equally. The person must be equally capable of translating terminology into a low and high register in order to fulfill that duty. Therefore, medical interpreter training is a more complex exercise with nuances that go beyond medical translator training. At the same time, any program will include a medical translator course, especially considering that it’s an integral skill for any medical interpreter. In order to be a successful interpreter, it is important to study medical terminology to amass a serviceable understanding of medicine. Furthermore, a medical interpreter must understand the healthcare system in the United States in order to help patients navigate the intricacies of healthcare practices and medical facilities in a foreign country.

A medical translator, although they certainly must have a grasp of medical topics like terminology and procedures, are not usually exposed to the day-to-day rush of being in a hospital or being present when procedures are being administered. Medical translators do not have face-to-face interaction with a patient, and this is a significant difference between the medical interpreter and the medical translator.

As far as education, the person must meet three requirements to become a medical interpreter. They must receive medical interpreter training, they must be competent in two or more languages, and they must take a certification exam. With all these tasks successfully completed, they could eventually become a certified medical interpreter that can work with a healthcare professional or in a hospital as an interpreter.

Medical translators have a different set of requirements to fulfill. They must enroll in a medical interpreter program if they have not already obtained a medical interpretation certificate or a degree in translation studies. Generally, medical translators are not required to be certified. However, they are expected to have at least 2-3 years of experience with translation involving medical terminology and they must have a thorough understanding of local laws. This is because most countries have different regulations regarding medicine approval and medical procedures. In general, medical translator training is done by working directly with the translation of clinical trials, study protocols, journals, research, medical papers and other written content related to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.