Medical Interpreting Services
Qualified medical interpreters for healthcare settings — on-site, over the phone, and by video. The Translation Company is a women-owned (WBENC-certified) US firm that has supported regulated healthcare and life sciences teams since 2005. In a medical encounter, spoken-language access is not a courtesy; it is a patient-safety and compliance requirement. We connect clinicians and limited-English-proficient (LEP) patients with trained interpreters who understand medical terminology and the ethics of the role.
Operating to ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 standards · Women-owned (WBENC) · Serving regulated teams since 2005 · Last updated June 2026
Book a consultation with our CEO, Camila Saunier — a working session about your language-access program, not a sales pitch.
Why medical interpreting is different
Medical interpreting happens live, in real time, and often in high-stakes moments — an emergency department, a new diagnosis, an informed-consent conversation. A misunderstanding here is not a stylistic problem; it can lead to the wrong medication, a missed symptom, or a consent that is not truly informed. That is why federal law expects healthcare organizations to provide meaningful access for patients with limited English, and why relying on family members, children, or untrained bilingual staff to interpret is both risky and, in many settings, non-compliant. A qualified medical interpreter is trained in clinical terminology, accuracy, impartiality, and confidentiality — and knows when to ask for clarification rather than guess.
How we deliver medical interpreting
We cover all three interpreting modes, so you can match the setting to the need:
- On-site interpreting. An interpreter in the room for appointments, procedures, consultations, and sensitive conversations where physical presence matters.
- Over-the-phone interpreting (OPI). On-demand spoken interpreting by phone for unscheduled needs and a wide range of languages, with nothing to set up.
- Video remote interpreting (VRI). Live video interpreting that adds visual context, supports American Sign Language (ASL), and fits telehealth and bedside tablets.
Many healthcare programs use all three. We help you choose the right mode for each encounter and keep one accountable partner across them.
Where medical interpreting is used
- Hospitals and emergency departments
- Clinics, physician practices, and specialty care
- Telehealth and virtual visits
- Behavioral and mental health
- Public health, community health, and social services
- Pharmacy, rehabilitation, and home health
Language access and compliance
Healthcare interpreting sits inside a clear legal framework. Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act require covered providers to offer meaningful language access to LEP patients; the Joint Commission and the national CLAS standards (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) set expectations for qualified interpreters and equitable care; and patient information is protected under HIPAA. Our interpreters work to the standards the field recognizes, including the codes of ethics behind the CMI and CHI credentials, and confidential patient information is handled accordingly. The goal is to help your organization meet these obligations with trained interpreters rather than improvise around them.
Why healthcare teams choose us
- Women-owned and WBENC-certified. A real advantage for hospital and health-system supplier-diversity programs.
- Principal-level accountability. You deal with ownership, not a rotating account manager, and qualified buyers can speak with our CEO directly.
- Qualified medical interpreters. Trained in clinical terminology, ethics, and confidentiality — never an untrained bilingual stand-in.
- Spoken and signed languages. A wide range of spoken languages, plus ASL through video.
- One language partner. Pair interpreting with our healthcare and HIPAA translation for the written side — consent forms, discharge instructions, and patient materials.
What makes a medical interpreter qualified
“Qualified” is not a marketing word in healthcare; it has a definition. Under the 2024 Section 1557 final rule, a qualified medical interpreter must be proficient in English and the other language, interpret accurately and impartially, command the specialized clinical vocabulary, keep the message intact — including tone and emotion — and follow a code of ethics built around confidentiality. The same rule is explicit about what does not count: a bilingual staff member who simply self-identifies as fluent is not sufficient, a patient cannot be required to bring or pay for their own interpreter, and a family member or minor may step in only briefly in a genuine emergency until a qualified interpreter is reached. Our interpreters are trained to that standard and to the ethics behind the CMI and CHI credentials, because in a clinical encounter the interpreter is part of the care team — not a convenience.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between on-site, phone, and video interpreting?
On-site puts an interpreter physically in the room; over-the-phone (OPI) connects one by audio on demand; video remote (VRI) adds live video, which is essential for sign language and useful for visual context. Many providers use a mix depending on the situation.
Do you provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting?
Yes, primarily through video remote interpreting and, where appropriate, on-site, so Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients have equal access.
Does medical interpreting help us meet Section 1557 requirements?
Qualified interpreting is a core part of meeting federal language-access obligations. We provide trained medical interpreters and help you cover the languages your patient population needs.
Can you support telehealth visits?
Yes. Video and phone interpreting fit into virtual visits, so the interpreter joins the patient and clinician remotely.
Explore related services
- Language interpretation — our full interpreting practice, including conferences and events.
- Healthcare & HIPAA translation — patient-facing documents and records.
- Medical & life sciences translation — our full medical practice.
- Clinical trial translation — protocols, ICFs, and CRFs.
Talk with us about language access
Start with a conversation, not a price tag. Book a complimentary strategy session with our CEO, Camila Saunier, best suited to hospitals, health systems, and clinics that need a dependable interpreting partner. Have a program to staff? Email [email protected] or call 800.725.6498.