The International Medical Interpreters Association

IMIA Accredited Medical Interpreter Course

IMIA stands for the International Medical Interpreters Association, based in the United States. The purpose of the association, which was founded in 1986, and has now over two thousand members, is to provide advances to the medical interpreting profession, by means of advocacy, education, conferences, training, etc.

Membership requires an annual fee of around 90 dollars (even though multiple-year plans are also available at a discount price). Members can access specific terminology databases and resources. 

IMIA has a code of ethics explained in 12 points, plus a guide on the standards of medical interpreting practice, which is freely available on the association’s website. Indeed, medical malpractice and negligence also concern medical interpreters, who should meet proper standards of care. The interpreter’s negligence can be proved if the interpreter failed to provide a service, causing a patient’s injury. The expression of consent is extremely important for medical interpreting settings, and medical legal cases. 

Although the patient may choose not to have a professional interpreter, and may prefer a friend or family member to act as an interpreter, the medical interpreter should inform the patient of the risks related to the appointment of a non professional interpreter, which may result in errors in treatment and injury to the patient. The patient may not know the difference between professional and non professional interpreting services, therefore, it is important to explain and give examples of risks that may be incurred. 

MiTio is one of the institutes accredited with IMIA for the training of medical interpreters and the pursuit of the Certified Medical Interpreter status.