Page 9 - The Medical Interprete

1. An Overview of Medical Interpreting

Bilingual staff members (“dual role”)

Bilingual employees hold a primary job that is not interpreting, e.g., medical assistant or nurse.
They can be asked to interpret part-time as needed. These interpreters are sometimes referred to
as “dual role” interpreters. They are also sometimes called “volunteer interpreters,” a name that is
incorrect because they are paid to interpret on the job. However, their job descriptions might not
mention “interpreting.”

Volunteer interpreters

Volunteer interpreters, who are not paid, often work in a group
such as a “language bank,” which is a collection of volunteer
interpreters who serve a particular organization or network.
(Some language banks, however, do pay interpreters.) Family
and friends who interpret might also be called volunteer
interpreters.

In the past, U.S. hospitals often used to engage volunteer
interpreters. However, most volunteer interpreters are not
trained or qualified to interpret. For reasons of patient safety,
more and more large healthcare organizations no longer work
with volunteer interpreters.

Does it matter what type of medical interpreter you are?

Whether you are a staff interpreter, a contract interpreter, a bilingual employee who interprets part-
time or a volunteer interpreter, be aware that only someone with the qualifications and training to
interpret in healthcare settings should be called a medical interpreter.

On the other hand, anyone who does meet the requirements to interpret in healthcare settings is a
medical interpreter–regardless of the type of employment. Even a volunteer can act as a professional
medical interpreter with the right skills and qualifications–the volunteer simply does not get paid.

Finally, a “language assistant” who happens to speak two languages and gets asked to interpret for
healthcare providers and patients but lacks the skills and qualifications is not a medical interpreter.

Should Bilingual Employees Interpret in Healthcare Settings?

Many people insist that “bilingual staff” and volunteers should not interpret in healthcare or other
community settings. Instead, only staff interpreters and contract medical interpreters should interpret
in healthcare.

However, the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) does not take a position for or
against bilingual employees interpreting in healthcare. Rather, NCIHC supports the goal that all inter-
preters in healthcare should meet the same standards for training, testing, credentialing and certification.
See www.ncihc.org for details.

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