“I don’t need medical interpreter training!” – Part 1 of 3

“I’ve been interpreting in hospitals for 20 years. I don’t need training!” As the owner of a language agency, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that claim. Perhaps you have even said it yourself. For me, that statement is a RED FLAG: an interpreter with this attitude is at the top of my list for urgent training!

“Why does a medical  interpreter with so much experience need training?,” you may be wondering. I’m so glad you asked! Here are a few reasons:

• TRAINING IMPROVES SAFETY:  Healthcare policies and protocols are created to assure safety for patients, providers AND interpreters. If you, like many other veteran medical interpreters, learned “on the job,” you may be lacking key knowledge that could help you improve communication facilitation and to protect you from injury or infection.

• THE MEDICAL INTERPRETING PROFESSION IS CHANGING: Twenty years ago, there were no codes of ethics or standards of practice to guide medical interpreters in their day-to-day interactions. Notably, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC), the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA), the California Healthcare Interpreters Association (CHIA), and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services have led efforts in the United States in creating professional standards (click on the association links to view them). You need to understand and utilize these minimum practice guidelines in order to be considered a professional interpreter.

• INTERPRETERS ARE BEING WATCHED: Accrediting organizations, such as the Joint Commission, are starting to pay attention to whether or not hospitals are utilizing trained interpreters. And they want proof! This means documented core training and continuing education. If you cannot prove that you have training, you may be out of a job.

• MORE ASSIGNMENTS, MORE MONEY: Plain and simple, if an agency or hospital has a choice between an interpreter who is trained and one who is not, they are likely to prioritize the person with training. Evidence of training shows them that you are interested in providing competent, safe communication.

EVERYONE needs training including novice interpreters, veteran interpreters, and interpreter trainers! I have yet to meet a medical interpreter who knew everything, especially when there is ALWAYS something new to learn in the rapidly advancing field of healthcare!

Share your thoughts about other reasons that medical interpreters need training in the Comments section of this post.

Read more posts in this series:

• “Medical interpreter training is inconvenient!” – Part 2 of 3
• “I don’t need a trained medical interpreter, just send a warm body!” – Part 3 of 3

About VoicesACADEMY.com:

VoicesACADEMY is a subscription-based website for interpreters, translators and healthcare providers. We’re working hard to provide affordable, high quality training and professional support through on-demand videos and social networking. Join us on Twitter (@VoicesAcademy), Facebook (VoicesAcademy) and LinkedIn (VoicesAcademy).

About the author:

Michelle A. Scott is a bilingual Registered Nurse and Medical Sociologist who founded Voices For Health, Inc. in 1997. She advocates for raising the standards of language accommodation in healthcare through conference lectures, professional leadership and development of video content for VoicesACADEMY.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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