The Medical Interpreter (Chapter 1: An
Overview of Medical Interpreting
What is Communicative Autonomy? - Answer- The capacity of each party in an encounter to be
responsible for and in control of his or her own communication.
What is the purpose of interpreting? - Answer- The purpose of interpreting is to support
communicative autonomy. Interpreters do so by facilitating communication Among parties who d
not share a common language.
What is community interpreting? - Answer- A specialization of interpreting that facilitates access to
community services for individuals who do not speak the language of service.
What is medical interpreting? - Answer- Interpreting for patients, their families and healthcare staff
in order to facilitate access to healthcare.
What are the categories of interpreters? - Answer- Staff, contract (self-employed freelancers),
bilingual staff members (often referred to as "dual role" interpreters), Volunteer.
Explain more about staff interpreters position. - Answer- Typically full time, salary with benefits
such as vacation and retirement plans. They generally work in hospitals or large community health
centers, or health departments.
Explain more about Contract interpreters (self-employed freelancers) position - Answer- They
accept contract work from organizations such as language companies, hospitals or nonprofit
language services. They do not usually receive extra benefits. They might or might not be
reimbursed for expenses such as parking, tolls and mileage.
Explain more about bilingual staff members (dual role) position - Answer- Bilingual employees hold
a primary job that is not interpreting (e.g., medical assistant or nurse). They can be asked to
interpret part-time as needed.
Explain more about volunteer interpreters position. - Answer- Not paid, often work in a group such
as a "language bank", which is a collection of volunteer interpreters who serve a particular
organization or network.
What is MMIA? (Now IMIA) - Answer- Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association
(International Medical Interpreters Association)
What is NCIHC? - Answer- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care ( non profit advocacy
organization) focused on addressing issues like patient safety, language access and positive
health outcomes.
What is CHIA? - Answer- California Healthcare Interpreting Association
What is CCHI? - Answer- Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
Overview of Medical Interpreting
What is Communicative Autonomy? - Answer- The capacity of each party in an encounter to be
responsible for and in control of his or her own communication.
What is the purpose of interpreting? - Answer- The purpose of interpreting is to support
communicative autonomy. Interpreters do so by facilitating communication Among parties who d
not share a common language.
What is community interpreting? - Answer- A specialization of interpreting that facilitates access to
community services for individuals who do not speak the language of service.
What is medical interpreting? - Answer- Interpreting for patients, their families and healthcare staff
in order to facilitate access to healthcare.
What are the categories of interpreters? - Answer- Staff, contract (self-employed freelancers),
bilingual staff members (often referred to as "dual role" interpreters), Volunteer.
Explain more about staff interpreters position. - Answer- Typically full time, salary with benefits
such as vacation and retirement plans. They generally work in hospitals or large community health
centers, or health departments.
Explain more about Contract interpreters (self-employed freelancers) position - Answer- They
accept contract work from organizations such as language companies, hospitals or nonprofit
language services. They do not usually receive extra benefits. They might or might not be
reimbursed for expenses such as parking, tolls and mileage.
Explain more about bilingual staff members (dual role) position - Answer- Bilingual employees hold
a primary job that is not interpreting (e.g., medical assistant or nurse). They can be asked to
interpret part-time as needed.
Explain more about volunteer interpreters position. - Answer- Not paid, often work in a group such
as a "language bank", which is a collection of volunteer interpreters who serve a particular
organization or network.
What is MMIA? (Now IMIA) - Answer- Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association
(International Medical Interpreters Association)
What is NCIHC? - Answer- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care ( non profit advocacy
organization) focused on addressing issues like patient safety, language access and positive
health outcomes.
What is CHIA? - Answer- California Healthcare Interpreting Association
What is CCHI? - Answer- Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
