IMIA – International Medical Interpreters Association

Features

The International Medical Interpreters Association is committed to the advancement of professional medical interpreters as the best practice to equitable language access to health care for linguistically diverse patients. Founded in 1986, with over 1,500 members, most providing interpreting services in over 70 languages, the IMIA is the oldest and largest medical interpreter association in the country. While representing medical interpreters as the experts in medical interpreting, membership is open to those interested in medical interpreting and language access. We currently have a division of providers, corporate members, and trainers. Policy makers, health care administrators, and others interested in medical interpreting are also welcome to join us as associate members. According to our founders and By Laws:

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in the following activities:

– Define educational requirements and qualifications for medical interpreters
– Establish professional standards of practice and norms of medical interpretation
– Promote the establishment of professional interpretation and translation services by medical institutions and related agencies
– Act as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about medical interpretation-translation and related issues
– Promote research into issues of cross-cultural communication in the healthcare setting
– Promote the medical interpreting profession

The Association shall strive to meet the above objectives by means such as the following:

– Publish and promote periodicals, bulletins, notices, glossaries, dictionaries, reports, and any other publications that may further its objectives
– Hold periodic meetings
– Establish & maintain a certification process for medical interpreters
– Maintain membership in professional organizations in related fields
– Work actively with universities, foundations, government agencies, and other organizations in such matters as the training and continuing education of interpreters and translators

Benefits

Members receive the following benefits:
– Asubscription to the Monthly eNews giving you the most important information in the field
– Discounted registration to the IMIA Annual Conference on Medical Interpreting
– Opportunity to participate in all networking activities, job fairs and discussion groups.
– Opportunity to share information and ideas on the IMIA listserv
– Opportunity for employment through job announcements and participation in IMIA “Find an Interpreter” listing
– Opportunity to see new Training Opportunities in the field

Membership

Annual Membership Fee: $50.00
2 Year Option: $90.00 ($45/yr)
3 Year Option: $120.00 ($40/yr)

Contact Information

IMIA – International Medical Interpreters Association
800 Washington Street
Box 271
Boston, MA 02111-1845
Phone: 617-636-1798
Fax: 1-866-406-IMIA (4642)
E-mail: imiaweb@gmail.com