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Medical Interpreter Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

University of New Mexico

Staff Interpreter

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$21.25 - $28/hr

The Staff Interpreter must maintain New Mexico StateInterpreting Community or Provisional License. The successful candidate must demonstrate a high degree of organizational skills, self-motivated ...

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All JobsMedical Interpreter JobsMedical Interpreter Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM

Medical Interpreter information

See Rio Rancho, NM salary details

$15

$31

$40

How much do medical interpreter jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical interpreter in Rio Rancho, NM is $31.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.18 and $37.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a medical interpreter make?

The average hourly wage for a medical interpreter in Colorado ranges from $20 to $30, depending on experience, certification, and work setting. Salaries can vary based on whether the role is full-time, part-time, or freelance, and bilingual skills are highly valued in this field.

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 do you become a medical interpreter?

To become a medical interpreter, individuals typically need to be fluent in at least two languages and complete specialized training or certification in medical interpretation. Many employers prefer candidates with certification from organizations such as the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) or the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI). Additionally, strong communication skills and knowledge of medical terminology are important for success in this role.

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.

Will AI replace medical interpreters?

AI technology can assist medical interpreters by providing real-time translation support, but it is unlikely to fully replace human interpreters due to the need for cultural understanding, empathy, and nuanced communication in healthcare settings. Medical interpreters bring essential skills such as cultural competence and professional judgment that AI cannot replicate entirely. Human interpreters remain vital for ensuring accurate and sensitive communication between patients and healthcare providers.

What is the highest salary for a medical interpreter?

The highest salaries for medical interpreters can reach around $70,000 to $80,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, specialized language skills, or certification. Salaries vary based on location, employer, and level of expertise, with some interpreters working in healthcare facilities or for government agencies earning higher wages.

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 are medical interpreters?

Medical interpreters are professionals who facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers when they do not speak the same language. They accurately translate spoken or signed information to ensure that medical histories, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment plans are clearly understood by all parties. Medical interpreters play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety, confidentiality, and effective healthcare delivery. They must possess strong language skills, cultural awareness, and knowledge of medical terminology to perform their duties effectively.

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.

More about Medical Interpreter jobs
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What cities near Rio Rancho, NM are hiring for Medical Interpreter jobs? Cities near Rio Rancho, NM with the most Medical Interpreter job openings:
Medical Interpreter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Medical Interpreter job openings in Rio Rancho, NM as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $66,228 per year, or $31.8 per hour.
Medical Interpreter

Medical Interpreter

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

$19 - $24.77/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 26 days ago

University Of New Mexico rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 539 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Medical Interpreter
Requisition ID
req36806
Working Title
Medical Interpreter
Position Grade
09
Position Summary
The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center has an extremely large population of Spanish speaking only patients that daily visit our clinic as a new or existing patient. It is a regulatory requirement that we provide interpreter services for this clientele either via Video Interpreter Program or have onsite interpreters-family/friends are not relied upon to provide this service. This ensures that accurate interpretation and translation of critical medical information is given in direct service to Physicians and/or other health care providers who are seeing patients who cannot speak or understand English, when specifically required by the Provider. This position collaborates with all aspects of the clinical enterprise.
The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico's cancer patients from all across the state. And they partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. In 2024 they treated more than 15,000 patients in almost 105,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. A total of 2,075 patients participated in cancer clinical trials to study new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNM Cancer Center were awarded $38.3 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 750 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.
Website: unmhealth.org/cancer
See the Position Description for additional information.
Conditions of Employment
  • Must successfully pass the UNMH Interpreter/Translator Medical Qualification Test
  • Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or GED; at least 2 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.Certification/LicensureInterpreter/Translator Certificate and/or Certificate of Competency from an approved Interpreter/Translator training program.
Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
Spanish speaking- "Bridging the Gap" certification
Additional Requirements
Finalists should be prepared to provide official educational transcripts if selected for hire.
Applicants must provide names of 3 professional references that the hiring official can contact.
Campus
Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM
Department
Patient & Family Support Services (099U2)
Employment Type
Staff
Staff Type
Regular - Full-Time
Term End Date
Status
Non-Exempt
Pay
$19.00 - $24.77
Benefits Eligible
This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.
ERB Statement
As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.
Background Check Required
Yes
For Best Consideration Date
6/1/2026
Eligible for Remote Work
No
Eligible for Remote Work Statement
Application Instructions
Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.
APPLICANT: Please complete the official application; making sure to include all prior work experience and average hours worked per week. Attach your Current Resume; listing three Professional References. Attach your Cover Letter that details how your experience matches the position as described above; including any Preferred Qualifications.
Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.
The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.

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