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Medical Interpreter Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Must have medical interpreting experience * National Interpreter Certification (NIC) as indicated by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) * Completely fluent in American Sign Language and ...

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Medical Interpreter information

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$17

$35

$45

How much do medical interpreter jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical interpreter in Oregon is $35.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.21 and $42.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical interpreter?

A medical interpreter is someone who is fluent in a second language that helps patients who do not speak English to communicate with their doctors and healthcare team. As a medical interpreter, your responsibilities and duties include listening to the patient’s questions and concerns and relating them to their doctor and team. You then translate the healthcare provider’s response to the patient. You must be fluent in your second language and also familiar with the medical and physiological terminology in that language. You must have excellent listening and interpersonal skills.

How does a medical interpreter typically collaborate with healthcare professionals and patients during a clinical visit?

Medical interpreters play a vital role in ensuring clear communication between patients with limited English proficiency and healthcare providers. During a clinical visit, interpreters work side-by-side with doctors, nurses, and other staff members to accurately convey medical information and patient concerns in real-time. They must maintain confidentiality, remain impartial, and adapt to rapidly changing situations, such as emergencies or sensitive discussions. This collaborative environment requires interpreters to be attentive, culturally aware, and able to manage the emotional nuances of medical conversations.

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

To thrive as a Medical Interpreter, you need fluency in at least two languages, a solid understanding of medical terminology, and a professional certification such as CMI or CHI. Familiarity with interpretation equipment and secure communication platforms is typically required in healthcare settings. Excellent listening skills, cultural sensitivity, and emotional resilience help interpreters convey messages accurately and support patient-provider relationships. These capabilities are crucial to ensure clear communication, patient safety, and equitable access to healthcare for non-English-speaking patients.

What is the difference between Medical Interpreter vs Medical Translator?

AspectMedical InterpreterMedical Translator
CredentialsCertification (e.g., CMI, CI) often requiredCertification (e.g., ATA certification) preferred but less common
Work EnvironmentReal-time, spoken communication in healthcare settingsWritten documents, reports, and patient materials
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, clinics, healthcare providersMedical publishing, documentation, legal medical translation
Search & Comparison IntentInterpreting services, live communicationTranslation of medical texts, reports

Medical interpreters focus on real-time spoken communication between patients and healthcare providers, often requiring certification and working directly in clinical settings. Medical translators work with written medical documents, requiring strong language skills and often certification, but typically operate in office or remote environments. Both roles are essential in healthcare but serve different communication needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Interpreter jobs in Oregon?

The most popular types of Medical Interpreter jobs in Oregon are:

What cities in Oregon are hiring for Medical Interpreter jobs?

Cities in Oregon with the most Medical Interpreter job openings:

Infographic showing various Medical Interpreter job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,444 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

171st of 631 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department Overview

Multiple positions are available, schedules will be determined at time of interview

The Language Access Specialist is responsible for providing objective and accurate interpretation and translation for patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Under the direction of the Interpreter Services Manager, the language access specialist functions as a member of the health care team alongside other health care professionals and helps patients navigate and understand the health care system and connect with internal and external resources. Specialists in this position will also provide counsel to and consult with other stakeholders in healthcare.

The language access specialist's role extends beyond the spoken and written conversions of messages from source languages to target languages; language access specialists must serve as a conduit; interpreting messages accurately and completely, a communication manager; preserving the triadic relationship wherein patient and providers relate primarily to each other, a cultural broker; sensing and articulating cultural influences.

Function/Duties of Position

Language Interpretation Services

  • Provides interpretation between patients, employees, and OHSU staff via telephone, videoconferencing, and on-site for patients with limited English proficiency while maintaining a friendly disposition. Understands and analyzes the spoken message, and re-expresses that message faithfully, accurately, and objectively in the target language, considering the cultural and social context. Serves as a cultural and linguistic resource to both patients and providers in contributing to successful outcomes.

Language Translation Services

  • Completes translations projects by rendering written text from one language into another language while maintaining the meaning, structure, style, and intended impact of the original. Provides accurate translation of medical documents, letters, educational materials, and other translation projects as assigned by the department.

Consulting and Education Services

  • Works with medical staff to promote alternative communication approaches for more effective medical treatment of non-English speaking patients. Consults and educates department management on best practices of working and communicating with LEP employees. Serves as a cultural and linguistic resource to patients, staff, management and providers in contributing to successful outcomes. Educates staff and faculty on topics of cultural awareness, LEP populations, and working with interpreters.

Patient Services

  • Respectfully aids patients in finding internal and external resources when deemed appropriate. Works collaboratively with other auxiliary departments to ensure Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients can access and actively participate in their health care. Works with medical staff to promote alternative communication approaches for more effective medical treatment of LEP patients.

Documentation

  • Documents interpretation encounters and keeps logs related to program and operation required for accurate billing submitted within deadlines communicated by the Interpreter Services Manager. Complies with all OHSU mandatory requirements including annual TB Screening, required education, and immunizations and takes responsibility for following accurate timekeeping processes.

Professional Contribution

  • Complies with OHSU's Code of Conduct, core department and job specific competencies, the Interpreter Code of Ethics, and consistently performs the job duties in a professional manner. Stays involved in growing the profession by holding memberships in national and local interpreting organizations. Works with other interpreters to research best standards for delivery of services. Participates in training and staff meetings as required. Maintains a safe and healthy workplace.

Customer Services

  • Uses independent decision-making and judgment skills to provide prompt, efficient and courteous service to all staff, patients and their families. Utilizes customer service recovery skills to ensure patients and staff have a good experience. Identifies problematic trends in patient and employee system navigations and provides proposed solutions to management for resolution.

Confidentiality Conduit

  • Holds confidentiality of all information learned via interpreting or providing translation services.

Miscellaneous

  • Provides support on departmental language access projects and activities as assigned by the Interpreter Services Manager.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree to include a minimum of 60 hours of formal health care interpreter training;
  • Three Years of documented Medical Interpreting Experience;
  • Two years of documented translation experience;
  • Be in good standing and holding national certification from either the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters(NBCMI) or Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) or American Translators Association (ATA);
  • Must abide by the National Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for Health Care Interpreters;
  • Full understanding of the interpreting process and knowledge of linguistic principals as it applies to interpreting;
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint);
  • Native or native-like fluency in English - both written and spoken;
  • Native or native-like fluency in a language other than English - both written and spoken;
  • Language preference will be dependent on the position opening. 
  • Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications
  • American Translators Association (ATA) Certification
Additional Details

Pay Range: $31.16 - $42.12 per hour with offer based on experience, education and internal equity

  • While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to speak and hear. The employee is required to be able to navigate (with or without any reasonable accommodation) the Marquam Hill campus and South Waterfront to access all clinics and departments.

We offer a variety of benefits on top of joining a thriving organization:

  • Medical, dental and vision coverage at low or no cost to employees
    • Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
  • Several retirement plans to choose from! - Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan and University Pension Plan, voluntary savings plans (403b, 401a and 457b)
  • Up to 200 hours (equal to 25 full days) a year of paid time off 
  • 96 hours of sick leave a year (prorated by FTE status)
  • Commuter subsidies
  • Tuition reimbursement 
  • Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
  • Annual Raises
  • Employee discounts to local and major businesses
  • Childcare service discounts
  • Growth/Development Opportunities
Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center.

In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research.  We also train the next generation of health care professionals.  As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome.

OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations.  We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Oregon Health & Science University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887