Translations That Kill

Many different companies and industries rely on translation to help provide added value and better service to their customers and clients.

These translations are critical to both the companies that use them, as well as the customers that rely on those translations for information. As such, professionals who understand the role of translation and why it is so important must do translations with the utmost care.

One of the industries that must rely on precise translations for their clients is the medical field and that is why qualified professionals must do medical Spanish translations.

Medical translators translate a wide variety of medical literature, including everything from brochures about medicine to invoices and patient notices. In addition, there are many times when translators are asked to interpret for patients who are visiting with nurses and doctors. In all these instances, it is critical for the hospital or doctor's office to find someone that is professionally qualified because if not, these translations can kill.

So how can a person prepare to become a professional medical translator or interpreter? The best way is to take classes or earn a certificate or degree in the profession.

There are many schools and institutes all over the world that offer this kind of training and it is mainly just a matter of finding one that is close to where you are.

I did a bit of research on the Internet a couple of weeks ago and was able to find some resources of available medical certification programs in the United States that you might be interested in:

1. www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/is/spanmedical/details.phtml
2. www.butrain.com/cpe/interpreter-translator-ovrview.asp
3. www.harvardpilgrim.org/portal/page?_pageid=213,193564&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
4. www.cccsorg.com/training/index.html (not really a certification, but it is training nonetheless)
5. www.cambridgecollege.edu/academics/programs_ug.cfm (click on medical interpreter training)

Some companies believe that they it is too much of a bother to find a professional translation services, but in the end, they will be much better off by doing so. By preparing yourself as a qualified professional, you can take advantage of this opportunity and find additional work as a translator.

Clint Tustison is a translator interested in helping other translators improve their businesses. His website, http://www.spanish-translation-help.com Spanish-translation-help.com is filled with information helpful to translators regarding the translation industry, and his free monthly newsletter, Translator Techniques, has tips and techniques for translators.