Medical Translator Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the medical translator job description, including the duties, tasks, and responsibilities they perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the medical translator role.

What Does a Medical Translator Do?

Generally, medical translators are language communication specialists who convert materials related to medicine from one language into another.

Many medical translators work from home and are self-employed while others work for government agencies or hospitals.

To speed up work delivery and ensure greater efficiency, most translators will use special translation software.

The medical translator job description includes translating different documents, including hospital records, patient medical histories, and other medical facilities.

When a medical translator first receives a job from a client, he/she often begins by reading the entire text to get a clear idea of the content.

As they begin the process of translation, they must look up any unfamiliar words; this is very important in the medical field as any misinterpretation of a patient’s allergy histories in a medical record could prove to be catastrophic.

As a result, it is important for medical translators to reread and edit their work.

However, more focus will be placed on making sure that ideas and concepts are correctly translated between languages rather than literally translating every word.

To become successful in performing his/her work description, a medical translator must be fluent in at least two languages.

Medical Translator Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Medical translators perform various functions in ensuring effective conversion of medical documents and other materials correctly from one language to another.

The medical translator job description majorly consists of the following key tasks, duties, and responsibilities:

• Accurately and precisely interpret critical information and medical advice
• Give a helping hand with translating medical text from English on behalf of internal and external customers to other languages
• Create and maintain quality service
• Establish and maintain positive interaction with patients and customers
• Assist with patient follow-up as necessary
• Maintain strict patient confidentiality in accordance with HSC standards and policies
• Provide services outside normal working hours as the need arises
• Execute miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
• May be asked to convey personal information in a second language
• Addresses concerns raised during or after an encounter by encouraging provider to make an appropriate referral
• Assist with the making of appointments with the right resource, and booking of interpreters as needed
• Choose the most appropriate mode of interpretation for each situation.

Medical Translator Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge for Career Success

To gain employment as a medical translator with a company, you will be required to possess certain qualities and qualifications, including having specific abilities, skills, knowledge, and experience to prove that you will be effective in achieving the purpose, obligations, and objectives of the translator role in the organization.

Shown below are typical requirements employers may likely ask you to fulfill to be hired as a medical translator:

• Minimum of High School diploma or GED and fluency in two or more foreign languages
• Have a rock-solid knowledge of medical procedures and terminology
• Ability to accurately and precisely translate critical medical information from English to the patient’s native language
• Must possess strong flexibility, interpersonal skills, and customer service orientation
• Have the foreign language(s) written translation skills
• Have good Listening skills
• Have the ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and records
• Be able to communicate and interact with people over the telephone, often in stressful situations
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours when need be
• Must pass the UNMH Interpreter/Translator Medical Qualification Test successfully
• Display a positive attitude about the hospital and department, and offer services to ensure a positive experience
• Be able to work as a team with colleagues and providers
• Should be able to work well under pressure to manage stressful situations
• Be able to handle unpredictable changes and be flexible to meet scheduling needs
• Must be able to deliver sound judgment and confidence
• Possess the ability to handle multiple tasks
• Must be someone who is detail-oriented and accurate
• Must understand different regional linguistic registers and accents
• Ability to interpret with the highest degree of accuracy and completeness
• Should be able to self-correct, understand own linguistic limitations, seek clarification, and accept correction
• Be able to pick up cues from encountering participants, regarding the level of understanding
• Have strong writing skills and understanding of the translation process
• Must be able to convey complex ideas simply so that a layperson can understand them
• Translators must be aware of cultural sensitivity issues.

Conclusion

If you are hiring for the medical translator position in your organization, you will need to include a detailed description of the job in your advertisement so that prospective employees would know the duties and responsibilities of the role they will be expected to carry out.

This post provides a good job description sample for the medical translator role that you can apply to conveniently and quickly create one for your company if you are a recruiter needing to hire for the position.

Individuals interested in the medical translation career will also find this article beneficial, to improve their knowledge of what translators do in the medical field, and how to succeed on the job.

Did this post help increase your knowledge of the medical translator duties and responsibilities? Please, make a comment in the box below. You may also discuss your career experience and job description if you work as a medical translator.