An interface adapter for an implantable medical electrical lead facilitates temporary electrical connection between an external medical device and a connector terminal of the lead. A sidewall of the adapter surrounds a receptacle of the adapter and includes a contact opening formed therethrough, to the receptacle the sidewall further includes at least one external feature that holds a connector member of the external medical device in a tilted orientation. The tilted orientation biases a contact surface of the connector member through the contact opening and into electrical contact with an exposed connector contact of the lead connector terminal, when the terminal is inserted within the receptacle of the adapter.
