Employment
Would you like to work as a medical interpreter at Interpreter Services? If so, we are always accepting applications for contract interpreters. To determine if you qualify, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you fluent in English and at least one other language?
- Are you available during daytime hours?
- Are you willing to be available for evening/night/weekend emergencies?
- If you interpret Sign Language, do you have, at minimum, a QAIII or RID certification?
If so, Interpreter Services encourages you to apply. Prior knowledge of medical terminology is a plus, but you can develop this knowledge through our course in medical terminology. If you are interested in seriously pursuing an interpreting career, we also offer a course in the fundamentals of medical interpreting. Both courses are open to current and aspiring contractors. Health care providers throughout the country have a growing need for trained interpreters, and these courses can help you develop your career even outside the Health System.
However, please keep in mind that contract interpreters are not part-time or full-time university employees – they are self-employed contractors who work on an as-needed basis. Some of our established contractors may work up to 20 to 40 hours per week, and many of our full-time staff interpreters started out as contractors.
On rare occasions, we receive requests for Portuguese, Polish, Albanian, Romanian, Hmong, Lao and Macedonian. Our pool of interpreters for these languages is small. We especially encourage anyone who speaks any of these languages to apply. You will seldom be called, but when we do have a request, your assistance will be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to apply, download an employment application (PDF). You will need Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer to read it. Print it off and mail or fax it to us. If you qualify, you will be called in for an interview.
Interpreter Services is a member of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care and the Michigan Translators/Interpreters Network. We follow NCIHC guidelines for interpreter certification.
