Nearly one thousand occupations are currently regulated in some fashion in the U.S.

Regulation, which is often defined as a system of control over the practice of a given profession, serves to protect consumers from unqualified individuals. This is especially important in professions such as medicine, where there is the potential for serious harm due to improper practice.

Regulation is seen as a way to promote quality and encourage responsibility. Two of the most common forms of regulation are licensure and certification.

In the past few months, certification has received significant attention, especially in the field of health care interpreting.

Numerous articles have been written and conference presentations delivered regarding interpreter certification. In contrast, there has been little discussion of a topic that is equally important: interpreter licensure.

While not yet commonly addressed within the interpreting community, licensure exists for both spoken and sign language interpreters in the U.S., and, in some cases, it has been in place for decades.

This article provides an introduction to the main conceptual differences between certification and licensure. This introduction is followed by a description of the pros and cons of licensure, as well as the possible ways to avoid the disadvantages of licensure while retaining the benefits.

Then, two basic models for state-based regulation of the sign language interpreting profession in the U.S. are provided. Finally, the article provides a series of recommended questions for consideration and further discussion in the field.

Continue to read Nataly Kelly's article "License to Interpret" in the March 2008 edition of The ATA Chronicle.

About the Author: Nataly Kelly is a nationally recognized independent consultant on issues of language interpretation and translation. A former Fulbright scholar in sociolinguistics, she is a certified court interpreter (English/Spanish) and has worked widely in the field of community interpreting and translation. With more than a decade of professional experience in the telephone interpreting industry, Ms. Kelly is the author of the first major book on the subject, "Telephone Interpreting: A Comprehensive Guide to the Profession", soon to be published by Language Line University. She is a board member of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC), and serves on the interpreter certification committee for the American Translators Association (ATA).

You may have already heard about the Language LineŽ Phone.

Hundreds of Language Line Services' health care clients swear by this dual handset, pre-programmed telephone.

If our phones are new to you, here are a few reasons why your staff will find them very popular:

• Better hygiene - Both parties have a personal handset, safeguarding against contagions that can be spread through a single handset.
• Security - Sensitive medical information can be shared confidentially, without using a speakerphone.
• Simplicity - Your access number to Language Line Services is already programmed into the phone, making it easier than ever to reach your interpreter. No special user training is needed.
• Speed - Without having to pass a phone back and forth between patient and healthcare professional, efficiency and patient care improves!
• Convenience - Direct dial buttons provide a quick and easy connection to a professional interpreter.

If you're already a client of Language Line Services, and you find yourself scurrying for language help when a limited English speaking customer comes to your admission desk, consider the Language Line Phone.

The phones themselves are free of charge to you, with a modest monthly maintenance fee. Each phone is pre-programmed with a toll-free number and your unique client identification number.

Just press a single button, request a language, and you're connected with a courteous, professional interpreter within seconds.

The maintenance fee ensures any necessary replacements and maintenance.

Order as many phones as you need just by competing the order here.

If you're not already a customer, contact us at healthletter@languageline.com and we'll get right back to you.

Also, Language Line Services has recently introduced the "Relating in Red" AIDS awareness dual-handset phone program.

As part of this fund raising program for HIV/AIDS awareness, health care providers can order a red version of the popular Language Line Phone,

A portion of the proceeds from the order of "Relating in Red" phones will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and AIDS Education Global Information System (AEGiS). Order the new AIDS and/or Cancer Awareness phones right here.

A message from The California Healthcare Interpreting Association:

CHIA is pleased to announce that up to 60 discounted student scholarships are now available for our Eighth Annual Education Conference, April 11-12 at the Holiday Inn Costa Mesa, California.

CHIA appreciates the support and generosity of The California Endowment and Language Line Services for ensuring access for students.

Students are eligible to attend the two-days of presentations, workshops and festivities for a discounted rate if:

• They are currently enrolled in a healthcare interpreting training program (or a general interpreting program with a medical component.
• Registrations are received as a group through the instructor or program administrator.

Please note that for the moment, we are limiting eligibility to 10 scholarships per program.

Trainers, program administrators, and students should contact the CHIA office for more information at dschinske@chiaonline.org or (916) 444-1506.

California Health Plans Have Just to Comply With Language Assistance Program Requirements of Senate Bill 853

Second Annual National Medical Interpreter Certification Forum To Be Held May 1, 2008, in Portland, Oregon

More news here >>

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