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Health Care Interpreter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SOSi

Freelance Healthcare Interpreter

$70K/yr

Overview SOSi is actively seeking qualified, professional, and experienced healthcare interpreters. Our job is to provide in person, over the phone, and video remote interpretation (VRI ...

Spectrum Health

Kinyarwanda Interpreter

Grand Rapids, MI

$21.25 - $27.75/hr

Job Summary Under the direct supervision of the leadership team, the healthcare interpreter provides accurate and concise oral interpretations for spoken languages to Limited English Proficient (LEP) ...

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How much do health care interpreter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for health care interpreter in the United States is $64,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a health care interpreter?

Health care interpreters are professionals who facilitate communication between patients and medical staff when there is a language barrier. They accurately translate spoken or signed information in medical settings, ensuring that patients fully understand diagnoses, treatments, and instructions. Their role is crucial for providing equitable and safe health care, protecting patient confidentiality, and supporting informed decision-making. Health care interpreters may work in hospitals, clinics, or remotely, and must be proficient in both the source and target languages as well as medical terminology.

How does a health care interpreter typically collaborate with medical staff and patients during clinical appointments?

Health Care Interpreters play a vital role in facilitating clear communication between patients with limited English proficiency and medical staff. During clinical appointments, interpreters work side-by-side with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals to accurately convey information, ensuring that patients fully understand diagnoses, treatment options, and instructions. They must maintain impartiality and confidentiality while navigating sensitive medical discussions. Effective collaboration requires strong interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to manage complex, fast-paced interactions. Interpreters often participate in multidisciplinary teams, contributing to better patient outcomes and a positive care experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a health care interpreter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Health Care Interpreter, you need fluency in at least two languages, a thorough understanding of medical terminology, and often a certification such as CCHI or NBCMI. Familiarity with interpreter telehealth platforms, electronic health records, and specialized medical dictionaries is typically required. Outstanding active listening, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to remain impartial set exceptional interpreters apart. These skills are vital for ensuring accurate, confidential, and culturally appropriate communication between patients and medical professionals, directly impacting quality of care.

What is the difference between Health Care Interpreter vs Medical Translator?

AspectHealth Care InterpreterMedical Translator
CredentialsCertification (e.g., CCHI, NBCMI), bilingual proficiencyLanguage proficiency, translation certifications (e.g., ATA), specialized medical knowledge
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, healthcare settings, real-time interpretationDocument translation, medical reports, patient education materials
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare providers, hospitals, clinicsMedical publishing, translation agencies, healthcare organizations

While both roles require bilingual skills and medical knowledge, Health Care Interpreters focus on real-time verbal communication in healthcare settings, whereas Medical Translators work on written medical documents. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

How to be a health care interpreter?

To become a health care interpreter, you typically need proficiency in at least two languages, completion of specialized training or certification programs, and knowledge of medical terminology and healthcare procedures. Many employers prefer candidates to obtain certification from organizations like the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) or the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI). Strong communication skills, cultural competence, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments are also important for success in this role.
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Health Care Interpreter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Health Care Interpreter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,020 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

Healthcare Interpreter

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Inc

Pittsburg, KS • On-site

$16.75 - $22.25/hr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Community Health Center Of Southeast Kansas rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description

CORE VALUES 

The core values of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) are dignity and stewardship. Each staff member is expected to perform their job duties in a way that preserves dignity for our patients and maintains good stewardship of the Center's resources. 


GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This position provides accurate interpretation and translation of critical medical information in direct service to physicians and/or other health care providers or support staff who are seeing patients who cannot speak or understand English.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

  • Precisely and accurately interprets critical medical advice and information given by the provider into equivalent terminology in the patient's native language.
  • Interpret information regarding the patient's and family's medical needs including consent for treatment, history and physical assessment, etc.
  • Ensure the patient and the health care provider understand the questions, answers and instructions transmitted by the speaker.
  • Assist health care providers in understanding patient's culture as it relates to health service interaction.
  • Assists in translating medical text from English on behalf of internal and external customers; may translate patient education information as requested.
  • Establishes and maintains quality service and positive interaction with patients, customers, visitors, health care providers and other staff members.
  • Assists with patient follow-up as necessary, to include contacting patients with appointment reminders.
  • Provides occasional services outside of normal working hours on an as-needed basis.
  • May accompany and/or transport a CHC/SEK patient to another appointment outside of the CHC/SEK health system, such as to rehabilitation services or to a specialist appointment.
  • Perform all duties, services and documentation in full compliance with CHC/SEK policies and procedures.
  • Trains new interpreters to the organization and may assist with interview process of applicants.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Medical terminology.
  • Valid drivers license.
  • Interpreter/Translator Certificate and/or Certificate of competency from an approved Interpreter/Translator training program preferred. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient-and employee-base
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the rationale of appropriate patient care.
  • Communicates through appropriate channels. Use proper chain of command for patient complaints.
  • Ability to handle emergency situations calmly and effectively.
  • Must be computer literate.
  • Must be able to maintain good inter-personal relationship with co-workers and other members of the health care team and the organization.
  • Provide customer service in accordance to the organization's mission.
  • Be courteous and respectful when interacting with patients and family members.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance to organization's policy and procedure and HIPAA requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to operate computer keyboard, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Computer work is frequent. Good lighting and comfortable temperature of ventilation at all times. May be exposed to situations where personal protective equipment and other safety precautions need to be used.

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