The Importance Of Medical Translation In The Medical Field
Most medical staff members are not bilingual or are otherwise unable to communicate with these patients, especially considering the pace and high tension under which this professionals need to continuously work, necessitating qualified translators and interpreters on staff at all times. Becoming a medical translator is a wise career move, though one that takes time and dedication.
If you’re looking for some sort of national organization that trains and certifies medical translators you won’t find one. There are no solid national standards or certifications regulating this field of professionals, which is a double edged sword. On the one hand there are fewer hoops you need to jump through to take on this work, on the other hand there’s also no clear procedure for qualifying for it. Though while there are no national requirements to land the work, it’s still a good idea to undergo all of the preparation you can to get the best translator job you can, and to make sure you can competently perform work that people’s lives depend on.
Above and beyond anything else you need to be at least bilingual. The more languages you know the better, but overall it’s better to have deep fluency in two languages than a conversational understanding of a number of languages. Every medical professional understands that clearly communicating with patients is a subtle and layered process, even when the patient and the professional speak the same language.
You need to understand the nuances of the language you’re translating from and you need to understand all of the inherent and potential meanings of everything said. Total fluency is required to be an effective medical translator. While there are no national standards for medical translation there are standards and certifications you can achieve for fluency in general, and many medical institutions will provide their own fluency exams you need to pass before being considered for employment.
It’s also possible to attend training courses devised around the specific needs and requirements of translating medical texts. Usually the courses are offered by universities and vocational schools, and both make sure your language skills are up to the test and that you have a good enough understanding of the specific terminology and demands that medical providers will throw at you on the job.
Ultimately the best way to fully prepare for medical translation jobs and to actually acquire them is through volunteering. Nothing trains you for the job as effectively as actually working in the field, and many hospitals and medical institutions are constantly taking on interns to help their translation efforts. It may take more than a year of regular volunteering to really settle into the work and find a paying job, but once you’ve proven yourself in this demanding environment you’ll be ready and qualified for anything.