Highlights From Our Live Show: Key Interview Tips for Medical Interpreters (Ep. 3)
Medical interpreters play a critical role in providing accurate and accessible language services in healthcare settings, bridging the gap for patients who face language barriers during their care. In episode three of our January Live Show, AMN Healthcare Language Services experts offered valuable insights, from effective job search strategies to expanding one's skill set in the medical interpreting field. Read below for a summary of the key tips from the live show.
The interview process: Striding towards success
Entering the world of medical interpreting begins with a standout application, but the first thing recruiters look at is the resume.
First point of contact: Your resume
"The resume is your front line," Jessica D., AMN Language Services sourcing supervisor, reminded us during the broadcast. Keeping your resume updated with relevant work history, location, and language skills is pivotal.
Also, the consensus was clear – keep it concise. “A good thing to remember is to keep your resume one page long. If you have the space to add a little summary about yourself – great. If not, that's okay. The key things I want to know are your past jobs, how long you were there, and a couple of details about what you did at each job,” said Jessica.
Showcase your professionalism: It’s all in the details
Besides the obvious practice of dressing for success during interviews, there are other ways applicants can showcase their professionalism. Giovanni L, AMN Language Services medical interpreter and recruiter, recommended to “try to pay attention to details and complete the different tasks as soon as possible.”
“For example, when recruiters send emails saying, ‘this is step one, two, and three,’ and we highlight the key things you need to do, if you don’t pay attention, your application may fall through.”
There is a waiting game at play. If you’re not keen to the details, “We may be waiting for you [the interpreter] and you may be waiting for me. So, for a candidate interpreter, just make sure that you pay attention to details and complete the task as soon as possible to display your professionalism.”
Ace your assessment
If a candidate is nationally certified (sign or spoken language interpreters), they do not need to take a language assessment for AMN Language Services. If you do need to take an assessment, it is important to be prepared with all terminology, especially medical. Both Jessica and Gio emphasized preparation for language assessments. Being an interpreter requires impeccable language prowess, and it’s pivotal to prepare thoroughly for these evaluations.
For step-by-step advice to have a successful language assessment, download our guide, “Your Path to Medical Interpreting: From Interview to Employment.”
The learning continues
Once you are part of the team, your journey is just beginning. AMN Language Services offers comprehensive training to ensure you're well-equipped to handle the varied scenarios encountered in medical interpreting. We’re committed to your growth every step of the way.
“Keep all your notes. Bridging the Gap (medical interpreter training) is the training that helped me know what to expect and know what my role would be. But most of the things I knew were from experience...it’s good to take and keep notes for medical terminology,” said Giovanni.
“You realize not every word in English has a direct role in the target language, in my case, French and Haitian Creole. If it doesn’t exist in Haitian Creole, I would ask for the provider to elaborate so I can explain it to the patient. At the end of that call, I write down the notes of what I learned to increase my knowledge.”
Giovanni gives an example of his learning curve with a labor and delivery experience – he said it was not like in the movies and it was a learning experience. In his next labor and delivery session, he knew exactly what to do.
Our live episode highlighted common themes integral to success in medical interpreting, and although most were summarized here, you will want to watch the live show recording to capture the integrity of the conversation. Watch on your own time here.
For those keen to learn more or embark on their journey as professional medical interpreters, AMN Language Services remains your partner in professional growth, committed to nurturing your aspirations from your first application through every milestone of your career.