The United States is in the midst of its fourth wave of mass immigration, this one characterized by newcomers from Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Even though immigration is a prominent part of the country's DNA, fears about immigrants' ability to integrate have accompanied each new immigration influx, and the current one has been no exception.

Integration is not necessarily a smooth process. It entails uncomfortable adjustments among immigrants, their descendants, and the host society in which they settle.

However, just as previous waves of immigrants eventually found their way into the mainstream of American life (even those who were initially considered "unassimilable"), the recent inflow of immigrants is integrating reasonably well according to five main indicators:

Indeed, there is evidence to suggest that US immigrants are learning the English language faster now than in the last wave of mass immigration at the beginning of the 20th century.

Read the rest of this May 2011 report (PDF) on how well U.S. immigrants are integrating into society here >>

Many other Migration Policy Institute papers, audios and videos can be found here >>

On Tuesday, July 19th, the Language Access Center for Excellence hosted its first in a series of free monthly webinars.

These webinars are planned to be rich in information and to support providers facing issues ranging from:

• Legal and regulatory compliance,
• Implementation and training,
• Advocacy and lobbying,
• Models and best practices,
• Incorporating technology into a language access program, and
• Cost benefits and utilization.

The first session - "Regulatory Readiness - Ensuring Compliance with Regulatory Requirements for Effective Communication" - presented by Martin Conroy, former Regulator and Director of the Division of Acute and Primary Care Services at the New York State Department of Health, covered compliance issues and concerns and how hospitals can help ensure their patient-centered communication plan meets the standards now required by The Joint Commission.

Over 130 healthcare professionals from hospitals around the country took part in the session.

"It was such an educational program...thank you very much for the great learning opportunity" was just one among many encouraging and positive comments received immediately following the session.

These over-the-phone and online webinars will continue monthly throughout 2011 and registration is free.

To receive a copy of Marty Conroy's presentation slides, and be notified for future webinars, email us at languagelinespeakers@languageline.com

The Language Access Center for Excellence is also available to Language Line Services customers for individual support and consultation as well as speaker and training engagements.

To schedule a preliminary discussion contact janders@languageline.com

"Bilingual staff valuable in healthcare, but lack of training is liability"

By Oscar Arocha, Senior Executive, Global Strategic Initiatives for Language Line Services

This is the third post in a multi-part series about the new Joint Commission standards on language access requirements for limited English proficient patients.

Bilingual staffs have become a valuable asset to healthcare organizations. They're often pulled from their daily responsibilities to assist nurses, physicians, techs and other support staff in communicating with limited English proficient (LEP) patients. As language barriers persist, "helping" is the word commonly used to describe the role these bilingual employees have assumed as they attempt to facilitate the communication between patients and providers who do not share a common language.

These requests sometimes are extended to bilingual family members and even strangers nearby who want to "help."

The issue is regardless how much they would like to help, most have little or no training in medical interpreting or the importance of accurate communication in the prevention of adverse health outcomes.

There is very little understanding of the potential harm when there are misunderstandings of symptoms, the care plan, follow up and discharge instructions that specify correct medication dosage or usage.

Going through a consent process usually involves a conversation with technically challenging medical information that non-medical staff are simply not equipped to explain.

In order to be qualified, bilingual staff must be trained in medical terminology, a variety of specialties, interpreting modes, standards, ethics and/or be certified.

Read the rest of this article by Language Line Services' Oscar Arocha in Healthcare IT News here >>

Click here if you would like a one-page PDF copy of this article >>

By Oscar Arocha

Oscar Arocha is one of several language access subject matter experts who speak through "The Language Access Center for Excellence", created by Language Line Services.

Language Line® University is the testing and training division of Language Line Services.

For over 10 years it has been providing healthcare organizations with the most scientifically advanced tools to assess qualifications and skills of their bilingual staff, volunteers and interpreters to ensure effective communication and compliance with The Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies.

Language Line® University tests can be used to assess the level of language fluency of a bilingual staff member who will only provide direct patient care but not interpret (i.e. a bilingual physician) or a bilingual individual who will be trained/hired to provide interpreting. Tests are available in a wide variety of languages and in English.

There are currently three testing options:

Schedule your tests through our online system. First time users can set up a free scheduling account here >>

To learn more:

To learn about Language Line University's Training programs, including its new Web Advanced Medical Training, click here >>

A cross section of 180 stakeholders attended the second Summit on Interpreting called "Quality Interpreting in a Push-Button World" - How Professional Identity and Technology are Driving the Future of our Field."

The two-day conference included plenary-style presentations, debates and panel discussions focusing on how technology is changing the interpreting profession and how to raise the profile of interpreting. Medical, legal, sign language, education, conference and community interpreters who work in a broad variety of language combinations were amply represented.

In the opening session, the organizers, Katherine Allen and Barry Slaughter Olsen of InterpretAmerica, reiterated their theme of uniting around the similarities in the interpreting field. They stated that there were two concerns coming out of the first Summit - professional identity and the impact of technology on interpreters and the field. The goals of this summit were to provide a forum where stakeholders from across the profession can interact and collaborate to discuss these and other issues.

Nataly Kelly, Chief Research Officer at Common Sense Advisory was the keynote speaker on "Technology Trends and the Interpreting Marketplace." She outlined the past, present and future of technology in the field. She made the point that while there are close to 7,000 languages in the world, only about 2,000 have writing systems. In addition, one in every five individuals has literacy issues, and that means auditory and visual communication is paramount. Her message was that with technology and the Internet, the ways people communicate are changing, so interpreters have to change with the times - we need to see that technology can be used to enhance and extend human performance.

Read the rest of this report here >>

Reported by:

Linda Joyce, CMI
Language Access Specialist
Ljoyce6403@yahoo.com

This summer, ATA will host the International Federation of Translators (FIT) XIX World Congress in San Francisco, California.

FITs triennial conference and exhibition offers a unique educational program focusing on international and intercultural translation and interpreting. Presentations will include workshops, panel discussions, and scholarly papers from a diverse and experienced group of language professionals. The meeting is a tremendous opportunity for attendees and ATA members to share, learn, and network with colleagues from around the world.

Look for details and registration information online at http://www.fit2011.org/register.htm

"Language Rx: Prescription for Language Access"

Durham Research Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with the support of the College of Public Heath's Center for Reducing Health Disparities

Find the 2011 conference information at www.natihq.org.

As always NATI has an excellent selection of sessions on medical and legal translation and interpretation, language skills development, interpreter skill sets, translator tools and techniques, freelance business building, and language access policy and regulation.

Networking and fun are just the icing on this cake!

Contact bonet@cox.net for details.

This information-packed event promises to deliver innovative and interactive learning opportunities for various stakeholders: patient advocates, patient representatives, complaint/risk management, patient relations, guest services, quality management, social work, nursing, service excellence, patient satisfaction, healthcare interpreters, and spiritual care professionals such as chaplains.

Contact: Angelica Martinez at amartinez@TAPS-online.org

Join us at the 2011 International Medical Interpreters Conference to celebrate IMIA's 25th Anniversary as an Organization!

Preliminary Conference Program Now Available for Review!

Client Education - Everyone's Responsibility

The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Preliminary Conference Program Available for Review at: http://www.imiaweb.org/uploads/pages/589_4.pdf

To register go to: http://www.imiaweb.org/conferences/confreg2011.asp

For Conference Information please visit: http://www.imiaweb.org/conferences/2011conference.asp

Language Line Services, the leader in language interpretation, is seeking to increase its interpreter team in many languages, as well as offering a wide variety of corporate openings.

Over-the-phone, Certified Medical Spanish Interpreters (CMI) to work from home in the U.S. Must have passed the National Medical Interpreter Certification Exam or be CMI certified through Language Line Services.

We are very actively seeking two experienced on-site interpreters in Contra Costa County, California. One in Punjabi, the other in Farsi. Formal training/certification preferred.

As for work-at-home, over-the-phone interpreters, we have openings, especially in Spanish, and in a number of other languages including:

• Cakchiquel
• Chaldean
• Hassaniyya
• Hausa
• Karen
• Karenni
• Mixteco
• Nepali
• Trique
• and several others (see our Web site)

And, finally, top Corporate opportunities include:

• Executive Administrative Assistant
• Solutions Architect - Lingo Systems
• Senior Language Specialist - Vietnamese
• Customer Service Representative
• Payroll Specialist
• Senior Sales Executive - Healthcare Acquisitions
• Sales Executive - Acquisitions Healthcare Southeast
• Sales Associate - Acquisitions
• Sales Executive - Acquisitions Healthcare Northeast
• Account Manager - Healthcare Central
• Account Manager - Healthcare East Coast

For non-interpreter positions, 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 up every week.

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