Volunteering as a medical interpreter

[josebiyosebi88]

Hey guys,
I was wondering if you guys knew or could tell me where i could find volunteering opportunities to shadow a physician and help out as a medical interpreter in the Los Angeles area. I'm fluent in Spanish and Korean because I was raised in Latin America and would love to help and gain experience in this capacity for the future. Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[josebiyosebi88]

bump

 

[theseeker4]

Hey guys,
I was wondering if you guys knew or could tell me where i could find volunteering opportunities to shadow a physician and help out as a medical interpreter in the Los Angeles area. I'm fluent in Spanish and Korean because I was raised in Latin America and would love to help and gain experience in this capacity for the future. Thanks!

Check out the websites of the large, inner-city/med-school associated hospitals in LA. (can't suggest any since I am not from CA) The websites should have a page for volunteer information, and go from there.

 

[rhesuspieces]

Just FYI, many hospitals won't accept volunteer medical interpreters unless you've been trained and certified as such. Medical interpretation is much more complex than simply being fluent in a language.

 

[classydingo]

I agree with rhesus, if hospitals have a large enough population that they need interpreters, they are going to pay for them and they are going to want them to be "certified." (certified is in quotes, because I don't really know if there is one overarching organization that is universally recognized as a certifying agent) You'll have better luck looking at free clinics that operate in Spanish and Korean communities, particularly those that utilize medical professionals as volunteers, not at those where medical professionals work full time. Usually this means the clinic is open after typical business hours one or a few days a week.

Note, the situation in California might be a little different from the rest of the country, because I think they have some state laws mandating interpreting services at least in hospitals, but I'm not really sure.

 

[NYRN]

Just FYI, many hospitals won't accept volunteer medical interpreters unless you've been trained and certified as such. Medical interpretation is much more complex than simply being fluent in a language.

This is absolutely true. I have seen the joint commission grill one lady who's first language is spanish why she is qualified to translate for a patient. You need to take some sort of course or certification that trains you in medical spanish. This will be very important when you are asked to translate for things such as consent for surgery/procedures or advanced directives.

That being said, if you can get your certification and do this, you will really learn a great deal.