Top 6 Tips for ASL Interpreters in Healthcare Settings
ASL interpreters play a vital role in healthcare, bridging the communication gap to ensure equitable access to medical care for the Deaf community. Working in highly specialized environments requires interpreters to hone advanced skills, uphold professionalism, and provide culturally sensitive interpretations. This guide offers key strategies for excelling as an ASL interpreter in healthcare settings while showcasing opportunities for career advancement with AMN Healthcare.
The Growing Need for ASL Interpreters in Healthcare
Professional ASL interpreters support language access between Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing patients and medical professionals, ensuring that important information is communicated accurately, so that patients feel heard and understood and healthcare providers can diagnose and treat effectively. Miscommunication in healthcare can lead to serious consequences.
By stepping into the shoes of a healthcare interpreter, you will facilitate communication and make a direct impact on patient outcomes, ensuring health literacy, and promoting inclusivity.
6 Tips for ASL Interpreters in Healthcare
1. Gain Insight into the Healthcare Environment
As a medical interpreter, you’ll need a solid understanding of medical terminology and procedures. Familiarize yourself with common practices in environments such as hospitals, clinics, or emergency rooms to develop the extralinguistic knowledge necessary to convey information accurately in both English and ASL. Understanding terms like “CT scan” or “hypertension” helps you convey meaning accurately.
Understanding the goal of the environment and healthcare professionals within builds the necessary context for effective interpreting and decision making. . You don’t need to be a licensed medical professional, but you should hold a national certification recognized by RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc), have interpreting experience in a variety of settings, and engage in ongoing professional development specific to medical interpreting. Examples of certification and credentials recognized by most agencies may include NAD Level 4+, RID CSC, CDI, CI/CT, NIC, BEI Advanced.
If you’re just starting in the field or need a refresher, consider taking medical terminology courses or leveraging resources offered by companies like AMN Healthcare. These tools can boost your confidence in technical settings and increase your healthcare familiarity.
2. Practice Cultural Competence
Interpreters are invited into some of the most personal, often emotional, moments of a person’s healthcare journey. How we show up makes a real difference as we don’t just carry meaning across languages; we help patients feel seen, heard, and understood. Interpreting requires is also about understanding cultural nuances. Deaf culture plays a significant role in the way information is conveyed, so knowledge and sensitivity to norms within the Deaf community areis essential. For example, certain facial expressions or gestures that are part of ASL communication may hold additional meaning in a medical context and when patients are stressed or in pain, interpreters must be prepared to pick up explicit and implicit cues.
Engaging in the Deaf community, utilizing and observing “language in use” in a variety of contexts and settings is essential to interpreting effectively in medical settings. Understanding terms like “CT scan” or “hypertension” is essential for comprehension of the source language and being well versed in how individuals who are Deaf (native ASL users) discuss these topics and signs used is essential for conveying the message accurately in the target language and vice versa.
A successful ASL medical interpreter engages in the Deaf community, respects cultural differences and adapts their communication style to align with the needs of the patient. This level of cultural awareness and language competency builds trust and ensures that patients feel respected and understood.
3. Work with CDIs
While ASL interpreting teams, made up of both hearing and Deaf interpreters, are essential in many settings, CDI/CHI teams are especially critical in healthcare settings. CDIs are Deaf themselves and native ASL users, in addition to being professional interpreters, and that lived, shared experience coupled with their professional skills and experience enhances access and the patient and provider experiences.
If you feel like effective communication is not taking place in an interpreting session, request a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) to join the assignment or session.. If you do not have access to CDIs in your area, seek opportunities to team with other ASL interpreters and pre-certified DIs. Hone teaming skills and strategies, sharing the space, with a collaborative and patient-centric/client-centric mindset Recognize that the highest level of cultural awareness and language competency builds trust and CDI/CHI teams can achieve this best, ensuring patient and medical providers feel respected and readily understood.
At AMN Healthcare, CDIs provide cultural insights and language intuition, especially during complex, high-context interactions.
They ensure precise interpretation while offering emotional comfort, creating a space where Deaf individuals feel seen, heard, and understood. This is particularly crucial in sensitive settings like medical appointments or vital service interactions. At AMN Healthcare, ASL interpreters, both Deaf and hearing,work together as a team to ensure the most accessible care and positive outcomes for patients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and their medical providers.
4. Maintain Professionalism in High-Stress Scenarios
Healthcare settings can be high-pressure environments, particularly in emergencies where decisions must be made quickly. Remaining calm, composed, and focused is crucial for an ASL interpreter. Patients and medical staff rely on you to deliver accurate information promptly, so your ability to remain attentive and professional is key.
It’s also important to establish boundaries regarding your role while adapting to meet the communication access needs in a culturally sensitive manner. Your goal is to facilitate communication and partner with patients and providers when there are gaps or challenges—not to offer medical advice or drive the interaction. Clearly define your position in these situations, when needed.
5. Prepare for Emotional Challenges
Medical interpreting often involves sensitive topics, from diagnoses and treatments to end-of-life care. Interpreting emotionally charged exchanges or conveying difficult news requires not just skill but emotional resilience. Developing coping mechanisms, such as debriefing sessions, engaging in reflective practices, and mindfulness practices, can help you maintain your well-being.
Many interpreters find support by connecting with peers through networks or communities, such as those provided by AMN Healthcare. Surrounding yourself with others who understand the rewards and challenges of the role can give you the emotional backing you need to excel in your career.
6. Utilize Technology Efficiently
Advancements in technology have significantly impacted interpreting jobs. Tools like Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) have made it possible for ASL interpreters to assist patients even in remote locations.
Stay updated on the latest interpreting technologies, and ensure your equipment is functioning properly. AMN Healthcare, for instance, offers resources to help interpreters transition seamlessly into roles that include VRI or other online interpreter jobs.
Advance Your Career with AMN Healthcare
Looking to expand your opportunities as an ASL interpreter? AMN Healthcare can help.
At AMN Healthcare, we connect skilled interpreters with medical interpreting jobs that suit their expertise and preferences. Whether you’re interested in contract, in-person roles or remote interpreter jobs, you’ll find options that align with your career aspirations. Our team supports interpreters with professional development opportunities, access to tools and resources, and a community of like-minded professionals.
Why Choose AMN Healthcare?
- Diverse Interpreter Roles: Explore opportunities in on-site interpreting and video remote interpreting jobs
- Professional Growth: Access resources like training and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, further developing skills and strategies for medical VRI.
- Flexibility: Choose from full-time, part-time, or contract interpreter jobs with flexible schedules that fit your lifestyle.
- Community Support: Become part of a supportive network of interpreters that values collaboration, professional camaraderie, and CHI/CDI teams working together to provide optimal access.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and connect with ASL interpreter jobs that match your expertise, apply today to connect with our team.
