An Update on Certification for Medical Interpreters

By Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services, President & COO

As we embark upon a new year and a new decade, we have ample reason for joyful reflection. Indeed, despite many challenges and global economical hardships, we started out the year standing on the edge of history with a commitment to the evolution of certification for medical interpreters.

Our profession has since achieved major milestones through that commitment that will forever have a positive impact for interpreters, providers and the limited English proficient patients and families we serve thanks to the hard work, passion and devotion of many.

I would like to pause and extend my personal gratitude to our partners in this effort, the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) as well as the members of the Global Advisory Council, PSI the leading testing company, our internal team focused on medical certification, our academic testing and training arm, Language Line University, and last but not least, all who were involved in bringing to fruition the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.

I also would like to thank both the IMIA and the Nebraska Association of Translators and Interpreters (NATI) for bestowing awards to Language Line Services for our contributions to the industry in 2009.

On behalf of everyone at our company, we in turn recognize and thank the great work and contributions of many organizations, associations and individuals throughout this past year.

2009 was a year of outstanding growth and tangible results, as well as new beginnings and relationships. From our company's valued collaboration with IMIA, to the 100+ organizations and individuals that joined us last May 1st at the 3rd Annual Forum for National Medical Interpreter Certification.

From the lobbying and advocacy work done in Washington D.C. to the formation of the certifying body, the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, and the support and amazing work of the interpreter associations and individual contributions from the 1500+ interpreters and other stakeholders that participated in the National Job Analyses Survey.

From the expertise of participants in the surveys and focus groups, to the individuals and organizations that came forward to participate in the pilot, an effort which provided results used to inform the most profound accomplishment of all - the realization of national certification for medical interpreters - the first ever national certification for interpreters in the U.S.

Read the rest of Louis' message here >>

Commissioned by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters

Washington, DC - (January 18, 2010) - A U.S. job analysis survey of medical interpreters completed with great success in 2009 will now be applied globally, in order to compare the tasks undertaken by medical interpreters worldwide and further advance the profession at an international level.

The international job analysis survey, commissioned by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, will be conducted in the following months with expected participation from many countries.

Medical Interpreting is the youngest specialization of the interpreting profession, which is more established in the conference and legal settings.

In some countries, medical interpreting is not yet recognized as a unique subset of interpreting, but it is a growing specialization where many translators or interpreters are freelancing at hospitals and other medical settings.

"We need 500 survey responses to ensure statistical and scientific validity, but we are confident that number can be surpassed with the assistance of our colleague interpreter and translation associations worldwide," said Nelva Lee, Chair of the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.

"It was important to do this in a modular format as the needs of the U.S. may be very different to an aggregated international scope. The first phase was strictly devoted to analyzing the needs of the nation. In this next phase, the goal now is to expand on the important information that was obtained through the U.S. survey and collect similar data globally."

Read the rest of this news release here or contact staff@certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org to learn more about the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters

Improving the Provision of Language Services at an Academic Medical Center: Ensuring High-Quality Health Communication for Limited-English-Proficient Patients.

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate and improve the provision of language services at an academic medical center caring for a diverse population including many limited- English-proficient (LEP) patients.

Method

The authors performed a prospective observational study between November 2006 and December 2008 evaluating the provision of language services at the University of Michigan Health System.

The primary performance measures were

1. screening patients for their preferred language for health care,
2. assessing the proportion of LEP patients receiving language services from a qualified language services provider, and
3. assessing whether there were any disparities in diabetes care for LEP patients compared with English-speaking patients.

Results

The proportion of patients screened for preferred language increased from 59% to 96% with targeted interventions, such as training staff to capture preferred language for health care and correcting prior inaccurate primary language data entry. The proportion of LEP outpatients with a qualified language services provider increased from 19% to 83% through the use of staff and contract interpreters, over-the- phone interpreting and bilingual providers. There were no systematic differences in diabetes quality performance measures between LEP and English-proficient patients.

Conclusions

Academic medical centers should measure their provision of language services and compare quality and safety data (e.g., performance measures and adverse events) between LEP and English-speaking patients to identify disparities in care.

Leadership support and ongoing training are needed to ensure language-specific services are embedded into clinical care to meet the needs of our diverse patient populations.

Read the rest of this study here >>*

* Adobe Reader Required

As a Language Line Services client, you have access to a variety of training tools that help you communicate with your limited English-speaking patients.

Some we've designed to train your staff on how to access and efficiently work with medically trained interpreters.

Others are designed to let your limited English speaking patients and family members know they are valued and will be served by an interpreter.

The Language Line Phone is one of the latter group. And perhaps the most versatile.

We now have the new Language Line Phone for you and your customers (see photo above).

Its many new features and benefits include:

• Anti-microbial protection
• Duplexing speaker phone
• Speaker phone volume control
• Improved keypad design for faster interpreter access
• Headset ready
• Individual handset volume controls
• Anti-theft security tab
• Improved ergonomics, and
• Larger visual call notification indicator

If you are a Language Line Services customer, you can order the new Language Line LL-2100 Phones today by completing the form here >>

Like so many in the Interpreter community, we search for ways to help the Haitian earthquake survivors.

Not only our Haitian interpreters, many of whom have friends and family in Haiti, but all of us want to help.

Here is one way we're helping survivors and those caring for them:

Effective immediately and at least through mid-February, Language Line Services is offering our customers who are directly engaged in the Haitian relief efforts:

• Free Haitian language interpretation for victims and their caregivers (for the next month; restrictions do apply)*
• Additional Language Line Dual Handset phones to aid in efficient communication
• Document translation of short forms and informational letters into the Haitian language
• Training for new users of over the phone interpretation so they can access Haitian interpreters, including effective methods in working with those interpreters

In addition, relief agencies aiding the Haitian people, though not Language Line Services customers, may also use our Haitian Creole interpreters at no charge at least through mid-February*

If your organization, or an organization you know, is directly aiding survivors and need access to these Haitian language services, please contact your Language Line Services Account Manager or email us at disasterrelief@languageline.com .

Thank you,

Louis Provenzano
President & COO
Language Line Services

* PS: Restrictions do apply. This offer is limited to Language Line Services customers and others helping the victims of this terrible earthquake, not for normal day-to-day Haitian interpretation needs. We are hoping that, with your cooperation, we will be able to facilitate vital communication to those who need it most at this time. We are in this together and we thank you for your support and understanding.

• Hear presentations on latest national lobbying updates
• Receive training on how to advocate
• Be the voice of the LEP patient in Washington, DC
• Come with us to your Senators and Representatives offices, we need you!

Attention! Providers, State Representatives, Interpreters, Associations, Trainers, Educators & other stakeholders. Register now to ensure a seat.

Last year's May 1st Forum was full capacity! There is NO FEE to attend this important annual, multi-stakeholder event.

Register now!

Selected News of the Month

• Help The American Red Cross Save Haitian Lives Now! Language Line Services and its thousands of interpreters support the Red Cross in its efforts to help the Haitian people.


• The Haiti Disaster: An Open Letter to Language Line Services Customers. Free Haitian interpretation offered for next month to our customers directly involved in the Haiti relief effort


• Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for January 2010. Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information

Read more Language Line Services news here >>

Language Line Services, the leader in language interpretation, is seeking to increase its interpreter team in many languages including:

• Chru
• Edo
• Garre
• Kotokoli
• Kpelle
• Mam
• Mixteco
• Trique
• Punu
• Putian
• Sango
• Sinhalese
• Uzbeq*

Among other positions, here is a selection of positions for which we are interviewing:

• Project Manager- Lingo Systems Division
• Customer Contract Salesforce.com Administrator
• Senior Language Specialist-Mandarin
• Senior Language Specialist-Spanish
• Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains Financial Systems Administrator

Please apply at: www.languageline.com/careers. Click on "Apply Today" under "Corporate Careers" and follow the directions to add your profile.

EEO/AA Employer.

* Some positions may have been filled by the time you apply. However, new positions open every week.

Are you interested in becoming an over-the-phone interpreter?

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.

Visit www.languageline.com/careers.

View the "How to Become an Interpreter" Video.

Then, click on "Apply Today" under "interpreter Careers" OR "Corporate Careers" and follow the directions.

Here's what one valued client recently said about one of Language Line Services' excellent interpreters:

"...interpreter #6100 for Farsi was fantastic... We had a very difficult client that your interpreter made so easy for me. Thank you..."

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