Consecutive interpreter

Pay in the destination countries

Monthly, in US dollars. Each country is an Imora admission package — open one for that route's fees, language requirement and deadline.

What does the day look like?

You interpret consecutively between a service provider and a service user, take notes with pad and pen, sight-translate referral letters, consent forms, charge sheets and court directions, and keep a terminology glossary. You work through telephone interpreting platforms, video remote interpreting platforms, terminology banks, electronic dictionaries, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook and assignment booking portals.

The part you picture — speaking in 2 languages in a courtroom or clinic — is about 1/3 of the day. The rest is preparation, travel between sites, waiting for lists to be called, writing records, invoicing, vocabulary study, and compliance training on confidentiality and safeguarding. Police custody, emergency departments, maternity units and immigration detention need night attendance. Most work is freelance and paid per assignment, hours are irregular, and cancelled calls are unpaid or paid at a reduced rate.

Where does this lead?