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Those with a master’s degree in translation have a wealth of career opportunities ahead of them, and we like to chronicle various possibilities for our students on our blog. Once you have earned your degree from our online or on-campus translation program, one option for you is in the field of medical translation.

Read on to discover more about the profession, what its responsibilities are, courses particularly suited for translators in healthcare, and more.

About the Medical Translation Field

Medical translators are professionals who translate medical information from one language into another, which provides effective communication between healthcare workers and patients. Individuals in this role may work with healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, and other facets of the healthcare sector, which helps keep the industry running as smoothly as possible.

As a medical translator, precision, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity are essential. When you have these three characteristics at the forefront of your practice, you can help make a difference for patients while also pursuing your passion for working in a healthcare setting. Start making healthcare accessible and reliable for all by becoming a medical translator today.

Key Responsibilities of a Medical Translator

Patients who have limited English proficiency, or those who are nonnative speakers, create a need for medical facilities to rely on trained interpreters and translators in healthcare to facilitate communication with patients and their families.

Due to this, more and more hospitals, clinics, and other medical institutions are hiring translators and interpreters to provide language translation for medical terms, patient instructional materials, and more.

Some of the key responsibilities for those in a role that focuses on translation for the medical field include:

• Translating medical reports, patient information, pharmacological instructions, and more 
• Translating key medical brochures and pamphlets into another language  
• Translating instructions for the use of hospital equipment  
• Translating study protocols, lab and pathology reports, and insurance claims  
• Learning terms for diseases and medical terminology in the second language, as some can vary while others cross over between languages  
• Understanding issues of cultural sensitivity of the language being conversed or corresponded in
• Ensuring patient-physician confidentiality is maintained and that personal information remains limited to the materials at hand
• Updating patient-facing materials and documentation to comply with changes to insurance information and other alterations

Beneficial Skills to Master as a Medical Translator

When you enter the world of translation for the medical field, the following skills will be extremely beneficial to have:

• Fluency in target and source languages
• An understanding of medical terminology
• Attention to detail
• Research proficiency
• Cultural competence
• Professionalism
• Confidentiality and adherence to medical guidelines
• Strong communication abilities
• Proficiency with technology

Our M.A. in Translation Program

Students have the ability to take our program on either a part-time or full-time basis, with options for either on-campus coursework or online coursework. Language concentrations offered include Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.

All of our coursework plays a vital role in giving you the knowledge and skills you’ll need for a rewarding career, but some key courses that will impact your medical translation career include:

• Documents in Multilingual Contexts (2 credits)
• Terminology and Computer Applications (3 credits)
• Scientific-Technical-Medical Translation (3 credits)

Future Certification Options for Medical Translators

Once you graduate from our M.A. in Translation program, you could go on to gain certification for translation for the medical field if you so choose, through one of the two primary certification organizations.  

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)

Those interested in applying for this national certification must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a minimum of a U.S. high school diploma or GED, or an equivalent from another country
• Complete at least 40 hours of medical interpreting training, in an academic or nonacademic program
• Possess linguistic proficiency in English and their chosen language for certification
• Pass the CoreCHI exam, featuring 100 multiple-choice questions. Those with a target language of Arabic, Mandarin, or Spanish require an oral exam as well

The National Board for Certified Medical Interpreters

Those interested in applying for this national certification must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a minimum of a U.S. high school diploma or GED
• Complete at least 40 hours of medical interpreting training
• Demonstrate oral proficiency in English by way of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, Ph.D., or a passing score in TOEFL, ELPT, MELAB, ECPE, FCE, CAW, CPE, or IELTS

Language options for this certification include Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Other language concentrations are covered by the previously mentioned CCHI certification.

Frequently Asked Questions About Life as a Medical Translator

How do I build a portfolio as a new medical translator?

If you are a new medical translator and want to build your portfolio, you can start by translating sample medical documents, such as patient records or medical articles. You can also look for opportunities via interning, volunteering, or shadowing to get a better grasp on what life looks like as a translator in healthcare. These real-world experiences will all be great assets to showcase in your portfolio.

Can I choose a specific field to specialize in as a medical translator?

Absolutely! Many translators in healthcare choose to specialize in a specific area. Popular options for specialization include cardiology, oncology, and pediatrics. Developing your expertise in one field shows your dedication to and knowledge of a single subject, which is valuable to clients and hospitals alike.

How do I maintain current knowledge of medical technology and advancements?

Continuous learning is the key to staying informed in a world where technology is always changing and innovations are developing. As a translator in healthcare, try to attend workshops, webinars, conferences, and more to stay informed on the latest developments in the medical field. You may also join professional associations and networks to access valuable resources and knowledge.

Ready to Get Started? Apply Today!

To get to work on your master’s in translation so you can go on to provide language translation for medical terms, patient information, medical documents, healthcare correspondence, and more, reach out to our team with any questions or apply today.

We look forward to hearing from you!