HEALTH INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS

Health Care Interpreter

To be a successful Health Care Interpreter you should...

have excellent oral command of English and a second language; have experience as an Interpreter in a multi-specialty health care environment; be able to demonstrate professionalism in a demading, high stress and fast-paced environment; be able to demonstrate understanding of cultural issues related to health care; be sensitive and knowledgable of the distinction between neutral interpreting and patient advocacy; be able to pass and oral and written competency exam; have basic computer skills required, i.e., Microsoft Office.

What will my job be like?

Trained Medical Interpreters render a message spoken in one language into a second language, and abide by a code of professional ethics. Interpreters are skilled in the process of understanding and analyzing a spoken message accurately and objectively in another language, taking the cultural and social context into account. Interpreter’s works in varieties of settings to assist non-English speaking patients. For example, doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, home health visits, mental health clinics, and social service settings. Typically, the setting is an interview between a healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, lab technician) and a patient (or the patient and one or more family members).

Where could I work?

  • Hospitals
  • Community Health Centers
  • Social Service Organizations
  • Federal, State, and Local Health Departments
  • Telephonic Language Interpreter Services
  • Interpreter Service Organizations
  • Independent Interpreters (Freelance)

Average Annual Salary

$57,090 per year

What is the future of this career?

Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.


Despite limited employment growth, about 7,500 openings for interpreters and translators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Type of Education/Training

High-School Diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of language proficiency screening and a 50-hour training which includes class time, homework and testing time. Followed with a one-month on-site observation and feedback.

Where could I get the education/training?

  • CT State Asnuntuck
  • CT State Gateway

Licensing/Certification

Licensure is not required or available in the State of Connecticut. There are national efforts to develop and implement a national certification.

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