Do I need to speak Spanish to work in health care in San Antonio? (Houston: low income, house)

[Odelle]

Hi guys! I searched to see if there were any threads regarding the need for Spanish in San Antonio, but I didn't see any replies that seemed to be from people working in a service industry.

I live in Houston and work in the Texas Medical Center. I'm strongly considering a move to San Antonio to be with my long-distance military boyfriend. However, I don't speak Spanish at all, and fear that it might be difficult for communicate with patients.

We have interpreters via phone at my current job, but I only use them sporadically. What are the hospitals and patient population in San Antonio like? Is it required for most healthcare workers in San Antonio to speak proficient Spanish?

(Due to the fact that I'm attending school to eventually earn my bachelors, I can't spend much time learning Spanish.)

[Pancho-Villa]

Patient population I would assume to be majority Hispanic, since San Antonio is majority Hispanic. I wouldn't think you would be required to speak Spanish (maybe specific positions within the hospital might have that requirement) but it sure would be a nice skill to have in that setting. Good luck.

[Me007gold]

Originally Posted by it said BLOOM

I moved to San Antonio 4 years ago from Arizona and let me tell you this. It is an absolute necessity to speak Spanish in San Antonio. The vast majority of the population in San Antonio is Hispanic and this city is very similar to Mexico rather than the rest of the USA.

I enjoy it here for the most part but you will need to learn Spanish in order to effectively communicate with people in this city.

I've been here 7 years and not once did I have to know Spanish to talk to somebody

[Merovee]

During our pregnancy many of the nurses did not speak Spanish. Some were native-born and others were foreigners from non-Spanish speaking countries and neither of those spoke Spanish. Other nurses did know Spanish.

No, it is not required for healthcare professionals in SA to speak proficient Spanish in fact some speak none at all.

[Azure110]

Short answer: No.

[Odelle]

Basically, I want to know if any nurses or radiology staff that primarily speak English have successfully found work in San Antonio. Hospitals here generally require you to take a proficiency test to interpret Spanish for legal reasons. Asking people about their medical history requires fluency. I don't have enough time to study for this because I'm already in school. Even if I knew enough Spanish to be able to get by on the street, it wouldn't fly in the hospital.

I might have to wait until my boyfriend gets re-posted or decides not to renew his Army contract before we can move in together.

[sinsativ]

San Antonio is in Texas, the USA, and there is no requirement to speak spanish. Normally a person that conversationally knows spanish would not be expected to do any LEGAL, or Medical discussions, as many words are very misunderstood between formal translations. I would contact the Bexar Medical Society, and the types of clinic you want to work in. whether you speak spanish or not, getting a job first would be the priority.

[LindaGrace]

I work at the medical school here in town and know dozens of nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers who successfully practice in ALL areas of San Antonio without knowing a lick of Spanish.

[Chaka]

Moderator cut: orphaned

I worked in the health field, and while it's true the majority of the population I served was Hispanic and low income, I confess I used Spanish even *less* here than I did elsewhere.

Why? Because my Spanish is minimal, but in places where there weren't so many Spanish speakers, I was forced to use it. Here, there are so many people who speak Spanish, it is not hard to have an in house translator steps away. It certainly helps, and while you're working on your degree, I'd encourage to learn, but it is not a requirement for most positions.

[Chaka]

Moderator cut: orphaned

I live in Southtown, worked on the west side and medical center. I shop on the Southside.

Spanish is heard frequently, but nowhere is it Spanish only.