Going through a medical interpreter training can give you the skills you need to succeed, but they can’t always prepare you for the intense days you’re signing up for. As staff at a hospital, you never know what kind of injuries, illnesses, or appointments you’ll be witnessing! This is especially true if you’re doing medical interpreting on a particularly unpredictable ward, like the ER. Here are just a few examples of circumstances you might experience when offering your interpreting services at a hospital or medical facility.
Scenario 1: Medical Interpreting is Impossible to Do if You Faint Easily
Imagine this: You’re brought in to provide Russian interpreting for a patient who has nearly cut off some of his fingers at his warehouse job. While you may know the correct words for ‘fingers’ in Russian, it’s also imperative that you bring a calm, cool demeanor. Your training means nothing if you faint when you see your patient losing so much blood! Keep perspective and help the patient to understand what needs to be done to properly care for their wound. If the dressing needs to be changed or the patient needs to continue care on their own at home, you must ensure they completely understand these instructions before leaving the hospital!
Scenario 2: Medical Interpreting, Even with Uncomfortable Topics
You’re brought in to provide Chinese interpreting for a pregnant patient from China who is visiting their OBGYN. The catch is, you’re a man. You’ll need to rely on your memories the vocabulary you learned in your medical interpreter course to help you talk about topics you’re not particularly familiar with. Serve the patient well by walking a fine line between respecting her and participating in conversations that would normally seem confidential or none of your business. Don’t be shy in asking her whatever the doctors need. The more ‘modesty’ you try to show, the worse you’ll actually serve the patient. Stay honest, clear, and relaxed– and the patient will, too. They’ll also get the best care their doctor can provide.
Scenario 3: Medical Interpreting and Cultural Sensitivity
You’re asked to provide Spanish interpreting for a family that has a sick child. They also come from a very rural area in Ecuador in the Amazon region. So they don’t have much experience with US medicine and hospitals. What’s important here is not just interpreting what’s going on, but practicing cultural sensitivity. You must find a way to help the family understand the treatment and diagnoses as they fit into their framework of understanding. Only then will the family participate to the fullest in helping treat their child. And this participation is key to helping the child feel better, faster!
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
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