Becoming an interpreter.

[Samusbbz 0]

Hi everyone, is anyone here either a court or medical interpreter? I was wondering what the steps were towards becoming a medical interpreter. Currently I am applying to become a court intetpreter in New Jersey, while I have also applied to become an interpreter in New York (I did the written exam back June, still waiting on my results). Does anyone know how long it takes to finally become an interpreter in the New York courts?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi everyone, is anyone here either a court or medical interpreter? I was wondering what the steps were towards becoming a medical interpreter. Currently I am applying to become a court intetpreter in New Jersey, while I have also applied to become an interpreter in New York (I did the written exam back June, still waiting on my results). Does anyone know how long it takes to finally become an interpreter in the New York courts?

Alla does both. The requirements vary by state/locality.

In Vermont, she qualified as a court interpreter by being tested and certified by an accredited Interpretation Service. If I recall correctly the courts here used "Pacific Translations". They were out of Washington State, I think. They certified her to interpret for court. For the hospital and medical interpretation there were no qualifications, per se. After working for a while as an interpreter for the hospital she attended a program to become a "Certified medical Interpreter" she also attened some college medical classes...human develpment, anatomy and physiology, etc. But these were something she did on her own for her own information. She eventually enrolled in an RN prgram and will be beginning year 2 of that in a couple weeks. Again, this was to expnad her knowledge. She has not decided if she will actually work as a nurse. She would like to combine her linguistic and medical knowledge in some sort of employment. The only "requirement" to be a medical interpreter in Vermont is to say you can speak both languages. I suppose if you are no good at it, either the doctor or the patient will complain and you get fired. ...or you lose all your clients. That's how it is done in Vermont

The requirement for the legal interpreter was actually that of an organization here that provides legal interpretters. It is not a "court" rule. Again, there is no statutory requirements to be a legal interpreter in this state other than to appear in court and say "I am the interpretter for this person"

Depending on locality, translations/interpretation can be pretty lucrative. Alla gets $35/hour, minimum 1 hour, plus travel expenses. It has worked ut well for her as a student because she can accept assigments as her schedule allows. She is an independent contractor

That said, she has a Master's degree in Russian from Donetsk State University in Ukraine, a masters degree in English from Donetsk State University and a Masters degree in "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages" (TESOL) from St. Micheals College in Vermont. she really DOES have great knowledTe of both languages

She also provides translations/interpretations for CBP, USCIS, ICE and local police and Sheriff's offices. She got these clients the same way you get others...send them resumes with experience, education and references, knock on their door

You can make surprisingly good money with few clients. Particularly as a medical interpretter. All it takes is a few clients with medical problems. Alla has some regular clients, mostly elderly men and women, and they all seem to have a Dr. appointment every week. A small to medioum population of people speaking your language is best. Trying to be a Russian interpreter in Brighton Beach, NY would probably be a bust....everyone speaks Russian! French interpreters are not in demand in Northern Vermont, for example, too many people speak French to be able to charge anyone for it. I doubt you could make a living as a Spanish interpretter in Brownsville, TX

But speaking Portugese in Chicago, for example, could make you a firtune perhaps! Good luck.

To be honest finding work here can be hard even for a highly educated immigrant, and interpretation is one of the things you can do for yourself and make pretty good money. $35 per hour jobs do not grow on trees in this neck of the woods.

Edited August 17, 2013 by Gary and Alla