More than 1,000 medical interpreters participated in the national job analysis survey conducted by Language LineŽ University, the globally recognized interpreter testing, training and certification division of Language Line Services, with the support of the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) and PSI Services, LLC.

Survey responses will directly impact the form and content of the national certification program Language Line University and IMIA are jointly launching this year.

"The medical interpreter community really stepped up to the plate through its enthusiastic participation in this survey," explains Louis Provenzano, President and COO of Language Line Services.

"The overwhelming response reaffirms the desire among medical interpreters across the nation, performing all modalities of medical interpreting, for a national certification that recognizes the professional achievements necessary to provide quality language assistance in health care settings."

Read the latest news on the progress of National Medical Interpreter Certification here >>

Questions and Answers about the Process toward National Medical Interpreter Certification

Since the announcement of the National Medical Interpreter Certification developed by the International Medical Interpreter Association (IMIA) and Language Line University (LLU) collaborative, several questions and comments have arisen.

IMIA and LLU hope the following communication will provide insight into recent developments and openly address questions that may be on the minds of many.

Please contact Jeanette Anders at janders@languageline.com for future updates.

Q. When will National Certification become available?

A. Interpreters will be able to formally register for the national medical certification in a matter of weeks. A specific launch date will be published shortly. The goal is to have certification in place this year! If you are interested in receiving information and updates directly, please send an email along with your contact information to Jeanette Anders at janders@languageline.com or to Izabel Arocha at iarocha@imiaweb.org.

Q: What will the Registration Process entail?

A: The registration process is what interpreters will have to do to demonstrate that they comply with all the prerequisites for certification. After successful registration an applicant is scheduled for the written exams. Once the interpreter passes the written exams, they will be scheduled for the oral exams. After passing these exams, they will be conferred a CMIŽ (Certified Medical Interpreter) credential and listed in the International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters. The interpreter will have to comply with post requisite requirements to maintain certification. To register for certification, candidates will go to: http://www.imiaweb.org/certification/register.asp

Q. Who owns the National Certification Process?

A. Medical interpreters own the process.

Q. Is one organization in charge of National Certification?

A. No. This is a public/private partnership which includes at the moment LLU, IMIA and PSI and will include other national testing organizations who want to join the process. All organizations will work collaboratively to make national certification not only a reality but successful in terms of credibility, inclusion, access, transparency, reliability, and validity.

Read the rest of questions and answers here

Download a copy of the questions and answers here and here.

View a PowerPoint presentation here

Read press release "National Survey of Medical Interpreter Community, The Next Key Step in Path to National Certification Launch" here

Birth of a New Profession: Interpreters Improve Healthcare

Written by newsUSA | Friday, 30 January 2009

San Diego, California - Imagine experiencing severe pain, but being unable to communicate it to the medical staff. Or envision watching your child suffer in a hospital bed, not understanding what the doctors are telling you about his or her condition.

Many non-English-speaking patients face these scenarios each time they seek medical care. But the development of a new profession, the medical interpreter, is making these scenarios a thing of the past.

Approximately 45 million Americans do not speak English at home. Nineteen percent of Americans cannot speak fluent English.

When non-English speakers must seek medical care, they cannot communicate their symptoms or understand what their doctors say.

Read the rest of "Birth of a New Profession" here >>

Join us for the annual National Medical Interpreter Certification - Open Forum with your colleagues and stakeholders to discuss the important topic of national medical certification. Hear from guest speakers who will share important updates and relevant information.

The forum consists of presentations by national and international speakers and subject matter experts, round table sessions and an expert panel.

Past presentations have included speakers from: The Monterey Institute of International Studies, Lidget Green Pyschometricians, International Medical Interpreter Association, Language Line University, National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare, American Translators Association, National Foreign Language Center, and the Office of the Multicultural Health...

And from the Institute for Health professionals, Departments of Health (NY), various state representatives who have implemented or are working toward certification (KY, OK, OR, WA), international speakers from Australia and many others.

Past attendees have included interpreters, providers, associations, state officials, advocates and policy makers, language service providers, educators, trainers and international representatives.

The program this year is hosted by Language Line University, the International Medical Interpreters Association and PSI Services Inc.

This is an open collaboration that crosses state lines and industry sectors to enable a broader perspective - all are welcome to participate.

There is no registration fee to attend this event and food and beverages will be provided.

Space is limited, so please contact janders@languageline.com immediately to register if you wish to attend.

To allow attendance from as many stakeholders as possible, organizations are asked to limit registration to two representatives.

To register, please send an email to Jeanette Anders at janders@languageline.com and provide the following:

• Your Name
• Title
• Organization
• Address
• Email
• Phone
• Advise of special needs or requirements

Again, please email your contact information to janders@languageline.com. Thank you!

Ask any English-speaking patient if they had to fill out some type of questionnaire before being seen by a physician and the answer is a resounding "Yes!"

Ask the same question of limited English proficient (LEP) patients and they will likely answer "No!"

This discrepancy in healthcare delivery has existed mainly due to the general lack of high quality bilingual forms for the medical industry.

With the advent of new Internet-based tools that make bilingual forms more readily available, this difference in care may now be easily overcome.

Read the rest of "The Case for Bilingual Self-Administered Health Questionnaires" here >>

View a sample bilingual questionnaire here>>

AHRQ's Superheroes Web site provides Spanish-speakers with:

• Tips on ways to stay healthy and talking with their doctor,
• Recommendations on preventive testing,
• Help in understanding prescriptions,
• A glossary of medical terms, and
• Links to other resources that provide health information.

The Web site is part of a public service campaign that urges Hispanics to stay healthy for their loved ones by visiting their doctor for regular screenings.

AHRQ developed this campaign with the Ad Council based on research on what messages Hispanics respond to.

The Spanish-language campaign features everyday mothers and fathers whose children see them as superheroes and encourages Hispanic adults to be more involved in their health care, especially preventive care.

Visit the Superheroes site at: http://www.ahrq.gov/superheroes/

February 2009 News Items:

Language Line Services Reveals Latest Trends in Emerging Languages. Leader in telephone interpretation adds record numbers of language interpreters to serve new populations; Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for February 17 to March 2. Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information.

United Way of Monterey County Launches 2-1-1 Information and Referral Line. Sponsored by Language Line Services

Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish FoundationŽ Partners with Language Line Services to Grant Wishes in 170 Languages

Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for February 3 to February 16. Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information.

See all the news here in Language Line Services' "News Room"

Language Line Services, the leader in over-the-phone interpretation, is seeking to increase its interpreter team in many languages.

If you have excellent proficiency in English, with strong listening and comprehension skills as well as good customer service skills, you can become an interpreter for Language Line Services.

If you would like to work from home and are proficient in English and a Second Language this job is for you!

We also have corporate positions available to start right away. We are currently seeking a Payroll Manager, an HR OnBoarding Manager, an HR Compliance Manager, an Accounting Manager, a Marketing Intern and a Telecommunications Administrator.

If you are bilingual, or know someone who is, or you are seeking a corporate career, visit www.languageline.com/careers

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