I’m bilingual. Is that sufficient to be a health care interpreter?
While being bilingual is certainly a prerequisite, being a competent medical interpreter requires a range of knowledge relating to the practice of medicine in both English and another language as well as skill in the process of interpreting. Often, fully bilingual individuals find they have difficulty transitioning back and forth between the two languages.
Related Questions
- I’m relatively new to healthcare interpreting. Can I apply to take CCHI’s examinations if I haven’t been interpreting in health care for a year?
- I’m certified as an interpreter/translator by another organization. Does that satisfy CCHI’s prerequisites to apply for CCHI’s examinations?
- Why should I use a trained health care interpreter? Isn’t a bilingual staff adequate?
