Tag Archives: Education

Becoming a Medical Interpreter

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A Medical Interpreter plays key role in mediating between patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and the doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers. The need for Medical Interpreters or Healthcare Interpreters is growing fast, as a huge number of patients from non-English speaking countries are coming to the United States in quest of better treatment over the past few years. When a patient is not good in speaking English, it is even too difficult and sometimes becomes impossible for the doctors and technicians to provide top-notch healthcare facilities to him. In such cases, Medical Interpreters step in to fill up the gap.

Education Requirements:

  1. High School Education: The aspiring Medical Interpreters can get the entry-level training at high school level. They can opt for English, any foreign language and biology classes. They can also study cultural affairs and history to learn more about other countries.
  2. Certification: After completing high school, they can go for a one-year medical interpreter certification program at any community college. During the program, they should study medical terminology, medical ethics, interpreting techniques and communication programs. The certification can be availed from the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.
  3. Bachelor’s Degree: The Medical Interpreters may choose a foreign language course during a four-year Bachelor’s Degree program. They can also go for a program that covers more than one foreign language. Apart from that, they will need training and experience in business administration, computer application, inter-personal skills, marketing etc.

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • Use proper medical terminology to translate the patient’s response back to Doctors
  • Get details of the patient’s medical history, family background and requirements
  • Reduce the cultural gap between the patients and doctors
  • Be flexible and comfortable to discuss sensitive or personal issues
  • Talk to the patient’s family members when required in the presence of senior professionals.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Medical Interpreters remains bright. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is expected to grow at 46% during the period of 2012-2022. The annual average salary for Medical Interpreters was $42,420 as of May 2013.

Becoming a Food Safety Specialist

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In this fast changing world, when safety of food items have come under severe scanner, a Food Safety Specialist plays key role in ensuring the quality of food we consume. The data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 76 million Americans contract food borne illness every year. That is a disturbing trend, as a significant part of our meals is now prepared at restaurants, canteens or commercial food processing facilities.

Education Requirements:

  1. Begin at High School: Aspiring Food Safety Specialists can start their preparations at high school level by opting for courses such as life science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science and communications.
  2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor’s Degree is must for all aspiring Food Safety Specialists. They generally study environmental health, biology or chemistry during the bachelor’s program. Also, they undergo training in food production and handling, sanitation, nutrition and quality assurance.
  3. Master’s Degree/Graduation Certificates: After completing the bachelor’s degree, the students can go for either a master’s degree or graduation certification program offered by various universities. Those courses help in getting in-depth knowledge in hazard control, food borne diseases, food laws etc. The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) will prove useful for the career aspirants.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate and consult with food regulatory bodies and monitor the hygienic conditions
  • Ensure the quality and safety of food supply
  • Coordinate with procurement officers to ensure standardized food ingredient purchases
  • Study food formulation procedures and identify health hazards
  • Conduct surveys and audits on restaurants, hotels, canteens, cafeterias and other places
  • Perform laboratory tests on sample foods and ingredients
  • Conduct surveys on meat processing units etc.
  • Enforce proper methods of seed selection, fertilization, pest control, harvesting, storage and transportation
  • Make sure foods are properly labeled and kept at right temperature
  • Conduct raids to make sure that expired food products are kept out of the shelves.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for this career is very bright, thanks to the rising awareness about the benefits of food safety and healthy eating habits. The average annual salary for a Food Safety Specialist is around $45,000 per year. Some Food Safety Specialists earn up to $70,000 per year.