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Medical Interpreter Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

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Medical Interpreter information

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How much do medical interpreter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical interpreter in Rochester, NY is $33.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.38 and $39.38 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.

Is it worth it to become a medical interpreter?

A medical interpreter plays a vital role in healthcare by facilitating communication between patients and providers, often requiring fluency in at least two languages and certification such as the CMI or NRIC. The job offers steady demand, competitive pay, and opportunities for flexible schedules, making it a valuable career choice for bilingual individuals interested in healthcare support.

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.

Is there a demand for medical interpreters?

The demand for medical interpreters is high and expected to grow due to increasing diversity in patient populations and the need for effective communication in healthcare. Employers seek bilingual professionals with certification and cultural competence to meet patient needs and comply with legal requirements. This growth creates job opportunities across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.

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 Rochester, NY? The most popular types of Medical Interpreter jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Medical Interpreter jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Medical Interpreter job openings:
Infographic showing various Medical Interpreter job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 23% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,472 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Interpreter, Language, SMH - Spanish

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • On-site

$21.78 - $30.53/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


University Of Rochester rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

125th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address):
601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642
Opening:
Worker Subtype:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
500381 InterpreterSvc-Spanish/Foreign
Work Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range:
UR URG 106 H
Compensation Range:
$21.78 - $30.53
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities:
The Spanish interpreter provides interpreting services for all clinical and professional University of Rochester Medical Center staff, patients and family members/significant others who are with the patient. All Interpreters on staff generally provide these services at the Medical Center, Outpatient Clinics, and Hospital Affiliates.
Responsibilities:
Manages flow of communication autonomously and efficiently between source and target language during medical and non-medical healthcare encounters across URMC's diverse and numerous clinical specialties in inpatient and ambulatory settings.
- Interpreter carries a pager assigned by the hospital responding to all pages established in NYS Code of Rules and Regulations 405.7 (20 minutes for outpatient/inpatient, 10 minutes for Emergency Department. Services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week over varied shifts. On-call interpreters are minimally expected to work two weekend coverage shifts of four hours apiece, or one shift of eight hours.
- Interprets all assignments, whether prescheduled or received via pager, in a timely and professional manner in accordance with hospital policy
- Weighs the goals of each encounter in collaboration with clinical healthcare providers and non-clinical hospital staff to determine the situational context of the patient interaction.
- Chooses appropriate communication ground rules and methods, informs all parties of the role of the interpreter, and briefs healthcare professionals on any knowledge possessed by the interpreter regarding the patient or encounter.
- Assesses and recommends most effective communication method for patients with barriers to communication, altered mental status, or other special communication needs. Verifies patient's preferred language is correctly identified.
- Selects appropriate mode for optimal flow of communication (consecutive, simultaneous, sight'translation).
- Proposes most suitable service delivery modality (in'person, video, telephone) based on the needs of the patient, and in the event of unforeseen communication barriers.
- Debriefs with healthcare professionals after the encounter, as necessary, to optimize the understanding of the conversational content and provide linguistic and cultural insights.
- Monitors for linguistic misunderstandings where they exist and recommends adjustments to level of formality and style as needed.
- Prioritizes, triages, and responds in a timely and appropriate manner to multiple service requests in order of critical urgency and patient acuity.
Assesses and recommends most effective communication method for patients with barriers to communication, altered mental status, or other special communication needs.
Verifies patient's preferred language is correctly identified.
- Proposes most suitable service delivery modality (in-person, video, telephone) based on the needs of the patient, and in the event of unforeseen communication barriers.
- Monitors for linguistic misunderstandings where they exist and recommends adjustments to level of formality and style as needed.
Supports cultural responsiveness by assessing for cross-cultural impact on communication (verbal and nonverbal) between patients and healthcare providers during highly complex interpersonal encounters
- Monitors for cultural misunderstandings where they exist and devises appropriate intervention as needed to empower the patient to participate in decisions related to their care
- Intervenes by confirming with all parties if a possible cultural misunderstanding has occurred by culturally mediating order to avoid assumptions, disrespect, or immediate harm
- Facilitates the understanding of cultural differences and promotes direct communication to build trust and enhance patient satisfaction
- Informs patients of available supports as appropriate (Social Worker, Case Manager, Care Coordinator, Financial Coordinator, Chaplain, etc.)
- Promotes inclusive and equitable communication during interactions with all parties.
Contributes as integral member of clinical and non-clinical healthcare teams, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week as the specialist in language and culture
- Provides interdisciplinary education to all team members for effective communication, as needed, during encounters, patient trainings and teachings
- Facilitates meaningful access to URMC health programs for patients with limited English proficiency to remain compliant with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, Medicaid Managed Care Requirements (42 C.F.R. 438.10) The US Department of Health and Human Services National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service (CLAS) Standards, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Section 1557, The NYS Code of Rules and Regulations 405.7, NYS Executive Order 26, and The Joint Commission
- Identifies interpreting service needs based on patient/provider dynamics, best practices, and effective communication, and informs program leadership of recommendations for service enhancements
Applies established national healthcare interpreter code of ethics and standards of practice. Adheres to Joint Commission Standards, department policies, safety protocols and infection control standards, and completes service provision documentation in electronic medical record
- Discloses and justifies any potential limitations, conflicts or need for recusal appropriately and timely
- Supports and upholds patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA
- Intervenes impartially and transparently, when necessary, acting within appropriate professional boundaries to protect autonomy, dignity, and safety of all parties
- Maintains interpreter performance'based skills assessed either at time of hire or through direct observation
- Enhances skills by participating in activities for professional growth and development through interpreter webinars, conferences, annual trainings, and self'directed learning
Completes scheduled training and other required staff activities
- Yearly mandatory online policy and procedure training
- Yearly health updates
- Attends staff meetings
- Other training/activities as necessary
Completes all documentation, paperwork and administrative duties
- eRecord completed at the end of each patient interaction
- Database entries based on completed schedules and requests
- Yearly certification update if applicable
- Professional development transcripts
- Other paperwork and assignments as necessary
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- High school diploma and two years of post-high school education or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Associate's degree (preferred)Bachelor's degree (preferred)
- One year interpreting in a healthcare setting (preferred)
- Must be fluent in English and Spanish with strong verbal and written skills in both languagesKnowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical tests and procedures in working languagesStrong customer service and communication skills
- Completion of 40 hour training course in medical interpretingCertification in healthcare interpreting through CCHI or IMIA strongly preferred at time of hire or within 18 months of hire (preferred)Translation certification (preferred)
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

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