Preparing for National Certification Written Exam

In preparation for the National Medical Interpreters Certification Exam medical interpreters will have to know and understand the IMIA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice,  NCIHC Standards of Practice, CHIA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.  In addition to this the exam will include medical terminology in English, this will include medical specialties.  You will be required to translate passages from written medical documents into your target language.  Also, there are scenarios that you will have to respond to.  The NCIHC has a manual on there website that explains the whole process and has some examples of the questions on the written exam.  If you would like to review this document visit www.ncihc.org then select certification from their menu.


If you want more information or would like to register for this exam go to the International Medical Interpreters Association website www.imiaweb.org or the National Council on Interpreters in Health Care website www.ncihc.org.  Both these professional interpreter organizations are offering the National Certification Exam.  However, be advised the exams are not exactly alike. this is to say that the format used is different for each one.  So review each of the exam requirements and content carefully then decide which one is best for you.

Become a Certified Medical Interpreter.

Congratulations

I would like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Liz La Borne of Lawrence General Hospital for passing the National Interpreter Certification Exam.

Congratulations Liz!!

Job Openings

Brigham an Women's Hospital in Boston is looking for a Patient/Family Relations Specialist.  They prefer a bilingual applicant.

The Cambridge Health Alliance is looking for a medical Interpreter.  This is an overnight position.

If you are interested in any of these positions go to http://www.indeed.com/lobs and enter the title or position, followed by Boston for the city.  You will see both positions on the selection screen.  Choose the desired position then follow the steps for applying.

Good Luck on your job search!!

Medical Terminology

Medical Interpreters must continually study and learn medical terminology.   The process of continual learning helps to keep you sharp and always prepared to interpret in hospital departments.  As stated before from time to time you will find a short list of words that I use on a regular basis along with its Spanish translation.  This months words are;

1. Sputum = Esputo/Flema
2. Endocrinology = Endocrinologia
3. Tuberculosis = Tuberculosis
4. Large Intestine = Intestino Grueso
5. Gall Bladder = Vesicula
6. White blood cell count = Conteo de los Globulos Blancos Sanguineos
7. Kidney Stones = Piedras o Calculos en los Rinones
8. Endoscopy = Endoscopia
9. Renal Failure = Fallo Renal
10. Stroke = Derrame

Look for the regular list of terminology to be published on a monthly basis.  Remember that in order  for you to be a competent medical interpreter you must always practice, review, and learn.  

Interpreter Wanted

Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital In Salem New Hampshire is looking for Medical Interpreters (Spanish) to work at this and some of their other locations.  Some travel is involved. If you are interested in this position go to http://www.indeed.com/ type interpreter and the city Salem, NH and this job listing will show up on the selection list.  Once you have accessed the listing follow the instructions on how to apply.  Good Luck!!

If you are from the Merrimack Valley and are a graduate of the AHEC medical interpreter training and need a reference contact AHEC and they will be able to corroborate that you are a graduate of their training.

Interpreter Wanted

The Franciscan Hospital for Children in Brighton, MA is looking for Medical Interpreters. Languages Spanish and Portuguese.  If you are interested in applying for this postition please go to the link below.

www.indeed.com

Once at that website, type in medical interpreter and Brighton, MA in the search window and the ad for this position will be displayed on the screen. 

Medical Specialties

The latest trend in medical interpreting is specialty medical terminology.  Many hospitals and cilinics that use medical interpreter services are now advertizing positions with the following description;

Medical Interpreter with 1 - 3 years experience, 60 hour Medical Interpreter training, knowledge of medical terminology with medical specialties. Will be tested.

So something is obviously happening that has prompted some healthcare providers to be more specific about what they are looking for regarding terminology and specialties.  It is likely that they have found that many practicing interpreters do not have the desired level of knowledge or simply lack the competence necessary to interpret in certain situations..

The problem may be a result of the medical interpreter training programs.  They do a very good job at testing individuals prior to starting the course as a prerequisite.  Fluency and general knowledge of medical terminology are tested and a candidate must meet a minimum requirement.  Once you enter the course you are taught medical terminology for all the major body systems. You are taught about certain procedures.  However, you are not specifically taught or tested on medical specialty and the terminology associated with it. 

So maybe the next step in training medical interpreters should be to include medical specialties as part of the training. However, to do this the training program must be increased from 60 to 70 hours to accommodate the added material and include medical specialty terminology. This will then send a better prepared interpreter into the field.  The second approach could be to require as a prerequisite that prospective medical interpreters take a medical terminology course and test for proficiency prior to entering a medical interpreter training.

The result will be a much more proficient and competent medical interpreter.  This will serve the purpose of both the employers and the interpreters.  The employer will be able to hire a medical interpreter with a little less experience who has the level of competence they require to perform interpretations in a medical specialty venue.  The interpreter will have the knowledge to perform in this venue and be able to attain employment regardless of their experience.  Both will have success.

Contact Information

If you would like to speak with me or would like my assistance with a project, interpretation, job search, or anything else related to medical interpreting. Feel free to write or call me at the following:

My email address: collazoel@gmail.com

Cell Phone 617-880-9158

 I'll be glad to assist you in any way I can.

Medscape and the Medical Interpreter

For the past year Medscape has been providing me with information on various health topics.  The articles published are mostly intended for physicians.  However, who ever said that they are the only ones who should be kept up to date on medical nuances in trreatment, technology, and medical studies.  It is imperative that todays medical interpreters familiarize themselves with these topics as well.

The extraction of knowledge can help you to be more knowlegeable and learn new terminologies, medications, and medical study outcomes very quicky.  Translation of the terminologies used will prove to be an essential tool for you to learn these words in your target language prior to your being called to interpret.

So, if you would like to get a jump on the nuances of the medical industry and develop your knowledge exponentially visit Medscape at www.medscape.com You will not regret the investment of time you'll spend there gaining knowledge that others will have to attend seminars to gain.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the graduates of the 2012 Merrimack Valley AHEC Medical Interpreter Spring Course. Your hard work and sacrifice has earned you the title of Trained Medical Interpreter.  As you embark on this voyage of bridging the communication cap between healthcare providers and patients remember that you are the most important link in insuring that patients receive quality health care and are satisfied with the service they received.  Interpreters save lives and money. 

Good Luck to all of you.

Medical Interpreters are an important part of the process of providing healthcare to limited English proficient families and individuals.  Without the assistance of a medical interpreter mistakes are made and customer/patient satisfaction is affected negatively.

A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that in 13 individual encounters 396 interpreter errors were made.  Of course we are speaking of untrained individuals serving as interpreters.  This figure represents 31 mistakes per encounter or session with a provider. The break down of errors are as follow;   52% omissions, this is when words or phrases are left out,  16% false fluency, interpreters used words or phrases that did not exist, 13% substitutions, words or phrases substituted had a different meaning, 8% additions, words that were not included in original dialog were added by interpreter, 10% editorializing, this is when person interpreting add their opinion.

This data is important because it demonstrates the kinds of mistakes that can occur when an untrained person is used as an interpreter.   This situtation can be potentially fatal, can injure a patient unecessarily, and can cost the healthcare provider millions in law suits.

In short, this demonstrates the value of a trained medical interpreter for both the patient and provider.  Medical interpreters saves lives, and money.

Interpreter Jobs

Interpreter Jobs in Massachusetts are often not listed in the newspapers or at the local employment office.   Howwever you can find a listing of all interpreter jobs from around the country at www.indeed.com   A recent check forr interpreter job postings shows that Saints Memorial Medical Center in Lowell, MA., Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, MA, Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA., and Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston are all looking for medical Interpreters. So if you are interested in any of these positions visit the website link provided for more inforamtion on how to apply.  Just enter interpreter jobs and the desired city.

There will be weekly job postings on this blog.  Also, there will be a list of community based organizations, insurance companies,  medical clinics, and other organizations that hire interpreters on a regular basis.  These types of assignments pay anywhere from $35.00 to $65.00 per hour.  At times you can charge a two hour minimum, or charge for travel expenses.  You can usually negotiate these. 

Forwarding your resume along with a cover letter noting your training, education, and experience to these entities, along with an informational sheet of what you charge is necessary in order for you to be considered for a position.  Don't forget that like for any other job you are or may be competing against someone who may already have a position.  So put your best foot forward.

Just a week ago I was instrumental in helping a colleague secure an assignement with a $45.00 per hour compensation rate.  The gig was a three hour assignment and my colleague reported that she enjoyed the assignment.  Furthermore, she stated that she was unaware that these types of assignments existed.

It is not common to hear of these kinds of assignments. This is because quite often that knowledge is in the hands of a select few.  However, I will be researching and contacting organizations and posting their particular needs and requirements.

So be prepared, practice and continually upgrade your skills and in a few years you can develop your skills to a level of quality and competence that will even surprise you.

Let me you give the first now;   Lawrence Community Works, 168 Newbury Street, Lawrence, MA. 01841.   Contact Spencer Buchholz at sbuchholz@lcworks.org  They are currently looking to creat a list of interpreters willing to perform this service for them during meetings, seminars, conferences, small workshops, and more.

Translation Tools

There are some translation tools online that one can use to translate specific sentences, terms, words, and more.  Many interpreters use such tools as www.wordrefernce.com or www.spanishdict.com/translation . There are many more resources out there that one can use.  This is a good place to start.

Now, if you are looking for medical terminology in Spanish and English accompanied by a definition, then you might want to try one of my favorites www.medlineplus.gov. This is a very good tool to use if you are specifically trying to learn medical terminology. 

Look for more examples of tools you can use on the internet in future post.

Anatomy Terminology

Today I am including a link to a web pasge called Medical Spanish.com. Medical interpreters know that they must constantly review terminology in order in order that these terms are always fresh in mind when they need it for an interpretation. As you all know the more you practice and review a task, process, function, words, etc., the better and more proficient you will be. As interpreters we must do this every day just to stay on top of things

This site should be of great assistance to all who want to review or practice some of the basic anatomy terminology or the less common ones. It is a source of online trainings and you can earn CEU's online.  So take advantage of this site.  Much of what's on there is free.  Go to www.medicalspanish.com/ Look for the medical dictionary drop down selection tab and start practicing.

Ambulatory Procedure Terminology Sample

Ambulatory Procedures is a department in many hospitals and clinics that perform different medical procedures, usually out patient. However, they perform procedures on in-patient as well.  A couple of the procedures are;

1. colonoscopy = colonoscopia
2. endoscopy = endoscopia

during the intake process patients are asked questions regarding symtoms and surgeries they have had in the past. Here are some of the words and procedures they are asked about;

1. surgery = cirugia
2. gall bladder = vesicula
3. kidney stones = calculos en los rinones
4. acid reflux = acidez o reflujo
5. garganta = throat
6. hysterectomy = histerectomia

Of course the list goes on and on. This gives you some ideas.  If you have questions regarding specific words drop me a note and I will assist you with the translation.