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graphic showing movement from intermediate level and its competencies through additional preparation to become specialist

Intermediate Healthcare Interpreter

This is a viable entry point for Deaf or hearing interpreters who have already satisfied the requirements for Novice Healthcare Interpreter:

      • Observed non-interpreted medical interactions.
      • Observed experienced interpreters in healthcare settings.
      • Documented 200 hours of healthcare interpreting experience.
      • Arranged supervision for 75% of healthcare interpreting hours.

May be qualified to interpret in the following settings or situations. Ideally is supervised 50% of the time:

    • Routine inpatient care
    • Acute care (with supervision)
    • Urgent care (with supervision)
    • Video remote interpreting (with supervision)
    • Specialty care clinics (cardiology, HIV/AIDS, ob-gyn, dialysis)
    • Health planning meetings following a diagnosis
    • Diabetes education
Additional Preparation

Develop specialized knowledge and skills, which may include
Interpreting for Deaf-Blind patients

Working as a designated interpreter

Mental health or other specialty care settings

Video remote interpreting

Complete additional readings on specialty focus
Observe specialty focus interpreting
Attend workshops and training on specialty focus
Participate in a healthcare interpreting fellowship

Additional Readings

Document your progress on the worksheets in Using the Healthcare Interpreting Career Lattice (PDF).

Moving Up the Lattice

Once you have completed this additional preparation, you are ready to move on to working as:

'Healthcare Interpreting Specialist'

This is a viable entry point for Deaf or hearing interpreters who have satisfied the requirements for Novice Healthcare Interpreter and Intermediate Healthcare Interpreter and have:

  • Documented 200 additional hours of healthcare interpreting.
  • 100 of the above may have a specialty focus (e.g. cardiology, mental health, ob-gyn, oncology, video remote, etc.).
  • Documented 100 additional hours of supervised healthcare interpreting. 

May be qualified to undertake the following types of assignments:

  • Crisis situations (mental health, emergency room)
  • Chronic disease and pain management
  • Pre-op, post-op, urgent and emergency care
  • Mental health care
  • Mentor newer interpreters in healthcare interpreting
  • Supervise Novice and Intermediate Healthcare Interpreters

Back to Lattice

Copyright 2015, CATIE Center St. Catherine University

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