Prerequisites for Entering the Lattice
- Have three years of recent interpreting experience in various settings
- Have B.A. or B.S. degree
- Have RID, NAD, or BEI certification
- Have documentation of current inoculations
- Comply with all security and background check requirements
- Complete 50 hours observing healthcare interpreting
Additional Preparation
Use resources from HealthcareInterpreting.org
- Annotated Bibliography for Interpreting in Healthcare Settings
- Body Language modules
- Healthcare Reader modules
- Independent studies
- Medical Interpreter ASL/English Domains and Competencies
- Towards Reflective Practice: Case Studies for Interpreting in Healthcare Settings
Take workshops on ethics, standards of practice, and cultural diversity
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- International Medical Interpreters Association
- California Healthcare Interpreting Association
- National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare
- Cultural diversity
Complete introductory coursework
- Medical terminology
- Medical terminology courses at a local community college or take an online course like this one.
- Anatomy and physiology
- Anatomy and physiology courses at a local community college, or through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
- Body Language modules
- HIPAA
- HIPPA certification course. Online courses such as this one are available.
- Certificate in healthcare interpreting at RIT NTID
- The CCHI written exam for healthcare interpreters
Readings
- NAD Position Statement: Healthcare Access for Deaf People
- NAD Questions and Answers for Health Care Providers
- ADA Brief: Communicating with People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Hospital Settings
- Introduction to Healthcare for Interpreters and Translators by Ineke Crezee
- Improving Healthcare: Specialization for Sign Language Interpreters
- Llewellyn-Jones, P. & Lee, R. (2014). Redefining the Role of the Community Interpreter: The concept of role-space.
- Watch a brief YouTube video introducing the article above.
- Patrie, C. & Johnson, R. (2011). Fingerspelled word recognition through Rapid Serial Visual Processing. San Diego: Dawn Sign Press.
- Agan, T. (2009). Protecting ourselves, protecting our consumers. RID Views, October, 2009, 31-32.
- Thress, R. (2005, April). HIPAA and the new rules: Have you signed YOUR contract?, RID Views, April, 2005, 17-18.
- Fadiman, A. (1997). The spirit catches you and you fall down. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Document your progress on the worksheets in Using the Healthcare Interpreting Career Lattice (PDF).
Moving Up the Lattice
Once you have completed these prerequisites, you are ready to move on to working as:
Novice Healthcare Interpreter
This is a viable entry point for Deaf or hearing interpreters who have satisfied the pre-requisites. Ideally work is supervised 75% of the time.
May be qualified to undertake the following types of assignments:
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- Routine and low risk assignments
- Routine physical exams
- Routine doctor’s office visits
- Non-critical follow up appointments
- Interpreting at blood drives or health fairs
- General health and nutrition courses
- Childbirth courses
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Well patient checkups
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