National Medical Interpreter Certification will become the industry standard in coming years. Most hospitals in Massachusetts and around the country are starting to request that new hires have 60 to 70 hours of training and national certification.
I would like to encourage all interpreters reading this blog to go out and take the certification exam. In prevoius posts I specified a study strategy for interpreters preparing for the exam. I will take this one step further and offer my readers the opportunity to speak with me directly about national certification. My conversation with you is strickly professional and will include advise on how to prepare for the exam.
If you are interested in receiving my advise please contact me at 617-880-9158. please make sure that I can view who you are on my caller ID. Looking forward to answering your questions.
22 May, 2013
08 May, 2013
Article (Sign Language Interpreting) Source "The Guardian"
Lack of British Sign Language interpreters putting deaf people at risk
Patients are unable to communicate with doctors and other public service professionals
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One deaf patient woke up from an operation still not fully understanding what was wrong with her. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
It is traumatic enough being rushed to hospital in an emergency, but what if you couldn't understand the doctors talking to you about what was wrong – and you woke up after an operation still not knowing the full story? That is what happened to profoundly deaf patient Elaine Duncan when she was admitted to Dundee's Ninewells hospital. Although British Sign Language is her first language, Duncan wasn't given access to a sign language interpreter at any point during her 12-day stay, which included surgery to remove her appendix. "I repeatedly pointed to an interpreter services poster on the wall, and I handed staff a BSL interpreter's card on two separate occasions, but I was left abandoned and ignored," she explains. "It was a terrifying experience, leaving me feeling scared and alone, like I was in prison."
Duncan's experience is one of many examples of deaf people being put at risk because they are not given the interpreters they need to communicate with doctors, police and other public sector professionals, says charity Signature, which campaigns to improve standards of communication for deaf and deafblind people. It says the problem is partly caused by a national shortage of BSL interpreters. Latest figures suggest there are 800 registered interpreters for 25,000 sign language users in the UK. But Signature chief executive Jim Edwards says there is also an attitude problem among public service professionals, who expect deaf people to be able to lip-read or to use the written word. "For a deaf person, that won't be their first language, and they won't always follow it," he says. "Sometimes they might have a member of their family there, but their sign language may be limited – and is it appropriate that they should be interpreting when they may be distressed themselves? You need someone independent and professionally trained."
Equality legislation requires "reasonable steps" to be taken to ensure deaf people are not at a "substantial disadvantage". But Signature is urging the government to make the provision of regulated BSL interpreters a legal requirement across the public sector. Edwards says the Francis report into the Mid Staffordshire hospital scandal – which recommended regulation for all those who directly care for patients – provides added impetus. "In the future, if you're a sign language user, the doctor treating you will have to be regulated, but the person affecting your communication – where it really can all go wrong – won't have to be," he points out.
Duncan's case was taken to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, which upheld her complaint. NHS Tayside says it has since improved its procedures. But Alana Trusty, manager of the Deaf Links advocacy service, which supported Duncan with her case, says: "This is happening all the time, across all types of service provision. If you were in hospital in France, would you be able to read a consent form or understand someone speaking French at your bedside? That's what it's like for deaf people."
07 May, 2013
Employment in MA.
Here is one Interpreter position in Holyoke and a Medical Assistant position in Lawrence, MA
2 new jobs found
Medical Interpreting Certificate, International Medical Interpreters Association membership preferred;. Position available for experienced bilingual/bicultural...
Certified in CPR. Must be fluent in both spoken and written English. Works collaboratively with all members of the interdisciplinary care team to ensure that...
All rights reserved 2013
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06 May, 2013
Massachusetts Colleges Offering Interpreter and Translation Courses
The following colleges in Massachusetts are currently offering interpreter and translation training. Click on the following links for more information. As I said in a prior post I will make as much information as I can available for those individuals eager to become interpreters/translators.
All rights resaerved 2013
Lack of standards for Oregon medical interpreters raises issues about training
Lack of standards for Oregon medical interpreters raises issues about training
Doctors who don't understand the language of their patients rely on interpreters to explain everything from a diagnosis to prescription routines.
And although Oregon is one of only a handful of states with qualification and certification exams for medical interpreters, the vast majority of interpreters working in the state have neither and don't have to.
The state recognizes three tiers of medical interpreters: registered (the basic level), qualified (tested in the language) and certified (tested in medical terminology.)
There are only 16 qualified and 25 certified medical interpreters in Oregon. That's out of an estimated 3,500 interpreters who work in the state, according to Dr. David Cardona, coordinator of the Oregon Health Care Interpreters Certification Program.
Cardona acknowledged that most interpreters in Oregon can't afford the more than $1,500 cost to get qualified and certified. He said Oregon medical interpreters make $12 to $20 an hour as independent contractors.
In comparison, Jim Stevenson of the Washington State Health Care Authority said medical interpreters, who are unionized in Washington, make $31.50 per hour.
The lack of a uniform, national testing process and the high cost of training, Cardona said, leaves room for unqualified people to work as medical interpreters.
"The main concern is the safety of the patient," he said. "From the provider perspective, this could lead to tremendous liability because if there is a misdiagnosis or bad information, the health care facility could end up with a lawsuit."
Oregon has been offering qualification exams for interpreters in more than 100 languages since March 2012. Certification tests are now available in six languages.
Oregon contracts with language testing companies to administer the exams. In 2010, the Oregon Health Authority provided a $90,000 grant toward the roughly $1 million cost for the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters to expand its exam offerings. Previously, the board only offered exams for Spanish interpreters.
On Thursday, the board announced that new certification exams will be offered in Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean. A Vietnamese exam is also in the works. Another language testing company, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters, offers exams in Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic.
Cardona said interpreters must be at the qualified level to work at Oregon hospitals. They must be both at that level and, if the test is available, at the certified level to work at the 15 newly created coordinated care organizations serving people on the Oregon Health Plan.
Still, Cardona said that leaves the majority of interpreters in the state working with neither qualification nor certification. He said the end goal is a change in state law to require both exams for all interpreters.
But some Oregon interpreters say the effort should start with increasing pay for qualified and certified interpreters. Helen Eby, a Spanish translator and interpreter in Aloha, said the training and exams are too costly for most medical interpreters.
"I know of people who have left interpreting to go clean houses because it pays better," she said. "There's a lot of work to be done. It starts with paying qualified interpreters more."
--Andrea Castillo
And although Oregon is one of only a handful of states with qualification and certification exams for medical interpreters, the vast majority of interpreters working in the state have neither and don't have to.
The state recognizes three tiers of medical interpreters: registered (the basic level), qualified (tested in the language) and certified (tested in medical terminology.)
There are only 16 qualified and 25 certified medical interpreters in Oregon. That's out of an estimated 3,500 interpreters who work in the state, according to Dr. David Cardona, coordinator of the Oregon Health Care Interpreters Certification Program.
Cardona acknowledged that most interpreters in Oregon can't afford the more than $1,500 cost to get qualified and certified. He said Oregon medical interpreters make $12 to $20 an hour as independent contractors.
In comparison, Jim Stevenson of the Washington State Health Care Authority said medical interpreters, who are unionized in Washington, make $31.50 per hour.
The lack of a uniform, national testing process and the high cost of training, Cardona said, leaves room for unqualified people to work as medical interpreters.
"The main concern is the safety of the patient," he said. "From the provider perspective, this could lead to tremendous liability because if there is a misdiagnosis or bad information, the health care facility could end up with a lawsuit."
Oregon has been offering qualification exams for interpreters in more than 100 languages since March 2012. Certification tests are now available in six languages.
Oregon contracts with language testing companies to administer the exams. In 2010, the Oregon Health Authority provided a $90,000 grant toward the roughly $1 million cost for the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters to expand its exam offerings. Previously, the board only offered exams for Spanish interpreters.
On Thursday, the board announced that new certification exams will be offered in Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean. A Vietnamese exam is also in the works. Another language testing company, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters, offers exams in Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic.
Cardona said interpreters must be at the qualified level to work at Oregon hospitals. They must be both at that level and, if the test is available, at the certified level to work at the 15 newly created coordinated care organizations serving people on the Oregon Health Plan.
Still, Cardona said that leaves the majority of interpreters in the state working with neither qualification nor certification. He said the end goal is a change in state law to require both exams for all interpreters.
But some Oregon interpreters say the effort should start with increasing pay for qualified and certified interpreters. Helen Eby, a Spanish translator and interpreter in Aloha, said the training and exams are too costly for most medical interpreters.
"I know of people who have left interpreting to go clean houses because it pays better," she said. "There's a lot of work to be done. It starts with paying qualified interpreters more."
--Andrea Castillo
Bi-lingual Positions Boston Area
| The Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan area has many hosptals. These hospitals are in constant need of trained Interpreters or persons with multiple language skills. Below are two positions currently available in the Bostonv vecinity. If you'd like to apply select the position and follow the instructions. Good luck!! | |||
| Portuguese and Spanish Interpreter | |||
| Franciscan Hospital for Children - Brighton, MA | |||
| Portuguese and Spanish Interpreter Department: Interpreter Services Schedule: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Hours: Contact Information: Contact: Human Resources/EW Job | |||
| International Case Coordinator - Spanish Speaking | |||
| Children's Hospital Boston - Boston, MA | |||
| Title International Case Coordinator - Spanish Speaking Department International Health Services Job Posting Description The functions of this position are to assist | |||
04 May, 2013
Increasing Demand Means Growth In the Field Of Interpreting
As diversity in the United States increases, the demand for spoken-language interpreters will as well. Fluency in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish will have bright job prospects. Sign language interpreters should also expect an increase in employment. This comes courtesy of Video Remote Interpreting, a Skype-like service that enables the deaf to communicate with an interpreter online. Meanwhile, persistent interaction with the rest of the globe and the needs of the military mean increased employment of Interpreters in coming years. By 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 42 percent growth in employment in the occupation, with a little less than 25,000 new positions.
The following is courtesy of the Bureau Of Labor Statistics.
If you are a biligual individual looking to use your language skills consider Interpretation as a career choice. Attain the proper education and certification. Colleges and Universities are the best and most credible sources of training. In addtition, there are organizations that currently provide Interpreter training as well. No matter what your decsion is regarding training this is a very good career choice.
The following is courtesy of the Bureau Of Labor Statistics.
According to the BLS, interpreters and translators earned a median of $44,160 in 2011. The best-paid earned about $88,010 while the lowest-paid, usually per diem, earned less than $23,710. Areas of the industry that pay well include computers systems design and related services; management, scientific, and technical consulting services; and federal executive branch. According to the BLS, the East Coast is home to the top-paying metropolitan areas of Washington D.C., Syracuse, N.Y., and Newark, N.J.
Salary Range | |
|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $62,170 |
| Median | $44,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,020 |
In July of 2012, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf gave a more formal coating to the process of becoming a nationally certified interpreter, requiring that aspiring hearing interpreters have a bachelor's degree before testing. Other organizations, like the American Translators Association and the International Association of Conference Interpreters, offer various forms of certification as well. Between formal education, certification, and state regulations, becoming an interpreter and translator can be an involved process. While having formal education is becoming increasingly important, those seeking to enter the field must, above all else, be fluent in English and another language.
Looking forward we can summize that the Interpretation field will experience continued growth. However, likely shortages, of interpreters, due to new certification requirements will affect the availability of qualified candidates. This will likely affect average earninngs pushing them up 10% to 20% percent higher in coming years.If you are a biligual individual looking to use your language skills consider Interpretation as a career choice. Attain the proper education and certification. Colleges and Universities are the best and most credible sources of training. In addtition, there are organizations that currently provide Interpreter training as well. No matter what your decsion is regarding training this is a very good career choice.
All rights reserved 2013
03 May, 2013
Colleges Offering Interpreter Degrees
As I promissed here is the first posting of a college that offers a degree in Interpreting. Please bare in mind that the whole nation has a need.
Sections
Personal tools
College Credentialing and the Medical Interpreter
For many years the training of Medical Interpreters was primarily in control in organizations like the International Medical Interpreters Association, The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care, Cross Cultural Communications, and there board members, many of whom are Directors and Instructors of such training programs througout the nation. Boston University, Cambridge College, Suffolk Unviversity are currently offering actual certificate or degree courses for interpreters as well. However, we are seeing an increase such programs among colleges around the country.
The University of Michican is one of the latest to begin offering a certificate program for interpreters. Althought the course is only a forty hour, five day course in which the attendees receive a certificate of completion. The course covers the primary topics necessary for interpreter to go out and enter the job market with a certificate from an accredited college or university.
Many interpreters in the job market lack the level of credentialing to provide them with real professional status at work.. Even those who hold degrees are not viewed as professionals among other professionals in their respective industry (Medical, Legal, Educational) unless they are employed by a government entity. This is due to a misconception that interpreters are performing this function simply because they speak the laguage. This of course is the furthest thing from the complete story and solely a partial fact.
If more colleges and universities determine that there is money to be earned and a void in the market, and society, that must be filled maybe more state college/universities will begin to offer more degree based programs for interpreters. Then interpreters who have completed actual degree programs will begin to be treated as true professionals and be remumerated and treated as such.
The laws around the country are changing and more states are mandating the use of interpreters in hospitals, courts, schools, etc. Thanks to the advocates who have pushed for many years and made this possible. They are correct in their position that interpreters must be competent individuals that possess the proper training and credentialing to perform the basic requirements of this profession. Furthermore, their position that government must play an instrumental role in the enactment of statutes to require the use of competent interpreters. We all know that one mistake can cause a patient to die, or a persons freedom to be taken from them, a child not to receive the education they need, etc.
Understand where Im going with this? Interpreters and prospective interpreters need to secure the type of credentials that carry the most weight, if you will. If we are truely to achieve and attain the kind of success that we desire and deserve a college degree is the way to go. Yes that right! Any degree initially, supported by the proper training and National Certification. However, don't settle for any training reach out to a college that offers the training you require. This will provide you with more credibility.
The University of Michican is one of the latest to begin offering a certificate program for interpreters. Althought the course is only a forty hour, five day course in which the attendees receive a certificate of completion. The course covers the primary topics necessary for interpreter to go out and enter the job market with a certificate from an accredited college or university.
Many interpreters in the job market lack the level of credentialing to provide them with real professional status at work.. Even those who hold degrees are not viewed as professionals among other professionals in their respective industry (Medical, Legal, Educational) unless they are employed by a government entity. This is due to a misconception that interpreters are performing this function simply because they speak the laguage. This of course is the furthest thing from the complete story and solely a partial fact.
If more colleges and universities determine that there is money to be earned and a void in the market, and society, that must be filled maybe more state college/universities will begin to offer more degree based programs for interpreters. Then interpreters who have completed actual degree programs will begin to be treated as true professionals and be remumerated and treated as such.
The laws around the country are changing and more states are mandating the use of interpreters in hospitals, courts, schools, etc. Thanks to the advocates who have pushed for many years and made this possible. They are correct in their position that interpreters must be competent individuals that possess the proper training and credentialing to perform the basic requirements of this profession. Furthermore, their position that government must play an instrumental role in the enactment of statutes to require the use of competent interpreters. We all know that one mistake can cause a patient to die, or a persons freedom to be taken from them, a child not to receive the education they need, etc.
Understand where Im going with this? Interpreters and prospective interpreters need to secure the type of credentials that carry the most weight, if you will. If we are truely to achieve and attain the kind of success that we desire and deserve a college degree is the way to go. Yes that right! Any degree initially, supported by the proper training and National Certification. However, don't settle for any training reach out to a college that offers the training you require. This will provide you with more credibility.
The posting of college programs throughout the nation will be posted at a later time.
All rights reserved 2013
02 May, 2013
Adaptable Interpreters and the New Challenges They Face.
The Medical Interpretation Industry has been introducing new technologies, as well as, increasing the saturation of older ones throughout the nation. VRI or Video Remote Interpreting is maybe the newest one. It was created to address the lack of ASL Interpreters in certain markets and to present users with an alternative to having to hire a team of 5 or more interpreters to cover and meet the language needs of their institution. However, Interpreters are becoming more savvy with their knowledge of the new challenges these technologies and managment in healthcare present to them.
Many Interpreters are aware that in some markets healthcare providers are gravitating toward the use of VRI for ASL,as well as, spoken languages. Therefore, they are starting to apply for positions with companies such as Language Line Solutions, Stratus Video and others. The Idea is to be able to be employed in a healthcare facility as a per diem employee while at the same time working for a VRI provider when at home. This is very astute of some interpreters; having your eggs in more than one basket or several at a time insures that you can earn a living wage in this industry.
Moreover, Interpreters are becoming nationally certified in order to bring an increased professional partrayal and treatment of the roles in the process of providing healthcare services. You would think that this is not necessary. However, for many years now interpreters are and have not been considered professionals in their field by healthcare providers in general. This is partially due to the fact that many interpreters lack college credentials and professional licensure or certification. As of next year, here in Massachusetts, this will not longer be the case. Many healthcare providers will be requiring their interpreters to be nationally certfied. Lawrence General Hospital is one of these institutions providing leadership toward this accomplishment.
However, the VRI and Telephonic Interpreting providers have been scooping up some of the more qualified interpreters in the field. If they are able to compete on wages they will succeed in saturating the market with these electronically based services. However, if healthcare providers get smart and realize that they must increase wages and even offer benefits to their on staff interpreters the previously mentioned will not succeed. Instead these more qualified interpreters will seek to attain or remain employed at a facility. Currently employers mostly hire per diem interpreters who work and average of 25 to 32 hour a week. This is specifically done for financial purposes. However, Interpreters should be able to earn a professional wage. especially when their credentials include a college degree or two and a certification.
The shortage of medical interpreters being created by attrition due to national certification requirements will be complicated further by state statutes requiring the private sector to provide interpretation services. Once again Massachusetts is right now reviewing and considering such legislation (WBZ Radio, Boston Globe). For those of us who currently work in this industry we are asking ourselves what exactly we can do to take advantage of existing and future conditions in the market. Please consider that althoough the industry has a relatively attractive hourly wage, most interpreters do not work a forty hour shift in one location. Often in order to earn forty hours of wages they must travel to several locations to provide their services. As many of you may know this is physically demanding and time consuming. We do prefer to dedicate ourselves to one employer. However, employers are not offering full time benefited positions. The only persons who may work forty hours a week are coordinators and their direct assistants.
So, get educated, get certified and network for the best pay and benefits out there. As a new collegue told me the other day, " you can earn a great salary if you don't put all your eggs in one basket" I quickly determined that she was right. After many years of working in the field I found out that you need to be multitalented and highly educated in this field if you want to be respected. Better yet, bring something to the table that others cannot do, have difficulty doing, or don't like to do. Remember that they need you more than you need them. In other words position yourself adapt to the new conditions in order to have continued and increased succes. Try to do what many interpreters are now doing more fervently, attain credential in legal and community interpreting in order to garantee yourself employment. If you are truely good at what you do you will be noticed and respected.
Coming soon, a list of all the major language services providers in the country. By the way the Bureau of Federal Investigations is currently hiring interpreters to work in all US markets. So if you are interested go to FBI.gov
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01 May, 2013
Strategies for Taking the CHI Oral Exam
While you were in school you probably remember your Professors informing you to study for your exams and make certain you use the testing strategies they provided you. Some of these strategies were strategies that one could use to take any form of academic exam. However, do these strategies work for taking oral exams? Well, in my opinion they do.
After taking the Oral CHI exam, the second part of the National Certification for Interpreters, I figured out that some of these old testing strategies could help an examinee get through the exam faster. However, in the end pure knowledge is the only thing that can garantee you a passing grade. Lets look at several of these strategies as they apply to the CHI oral exam.
Lets first discuss the instructions. As with any exam I recommend that you read through the instructions for the exam carefully and completely. Don't forget that it will provide a framework and understanding of the test. Also, a sample exam is provided and it does not take any time away from the actual test time. So please take the sample test completely. It will warm you up for the actual exam.
Once you start the oral exam you have one hour to complete it. I found that during the scenarios you must record your interpretations. In addition, you are provided about ten seconds to record your responses. However, for some of your responses you don't require the whole ten seconds. Thus. I recommend that after recording your response complete the response by stopping your recorder. This strategy will get you to the next dialogue faster and save you time on the overall clock which you can use for more difficult dialogue for which you may need more time to play over, listen to it again. Another strategy I found useful was during the translation of several phrases you are requested to distinguish which option is the best translation. I found that reading the first phrase then reading each first phrase of answer A, or B, followed by reading the second, then reading the second option in A or B, and sofourth untill you find one error or poorly used word in the translated choices was a simpler approach. If the error is found in B your answer is A and vise versa. This will get you to your answer faster than trying to read the whole document then trying to determine which is the best translation by reading all of A then B. (process or elimination)
Now, prior to taking the exam or in preparation for your oral test I suggest you get plenty or rest the night before and have a good breakfast that morning followed by a cup of coffee to keep you alert. Give yourself an extra 1.5 hours over the usual travel time so the you can find parking. Once parked review some vocabulary and read a couple of scenarios out of your training manual. This will help to remind you of some of the more difficult or lesser used terminology, as well as, warm you up for the scenarios prior to taking the oral exam.
Finally, I believe you should be ready. So don't be nervous, you'll be speaking into a recorder not a live human like at your job. This is much easier to do. Be confident and go for it!! Good fortune.
After taking the Oral CHI exam, the second part of the National Certification for Interpreters, I figured out that some of these old testing strategies could help an examinee get through the exam faster. However, in the end pure knowledge is the only thing that can garantee you a passing grade. Lets look at several of these strategies as they apply to the CHI oral exam.
Lets first discuss the instructions. As with any exam I recommend that you read through the instructions for the exam carefully and completely. Don't forget that it will provide a framework and understanding of the test. Also, a sample exam is provided and it does not take any time away from the actual test time. So please take the sample test completely. It will warm you up for the actual exam.
Once you start the oral exam you have one hour to complete it. I found that during the scenarios you must record your interpretations. In addition, you are provided about ten seconds to record your responses. However, for some of your responses you don't require the whole ten seconds. Thus. I recommend that after recording your response complete the response by stopping your recorder. This strategy will get you to the next dialogue faster and save you time on the overall clock which you can use for more difficult dialogue for which you may need more time to play over, listen to it again. Another strategy I found useful was during the translation of several phrases you are requested to distinguish which option is the best translation. I found that reading the first phrase then reading each first phrase of answer A, or B, followed by reading the second, then reading the second option in A or B, and sofourth untill you find one error or poorly used word in the translated choices was a simpler approach. If the error is found in B your answer is A and vise versa. This will get you to your answer faster than trying to read the whole document then trying to determine which is the best translation by reading all of A then B. (process or elimination)
Now, prior to taking the exam or in preparation for your oral test I suggest you get plenty or rest the night before and have a good breakfast that morning followed by a cup of coffee to keep you alert. Give yourself an extra 1.5 hours over the usual travel time so the you can find parking. Once parked review some vocabulary and read a couple of scenarios out of your training manual. This will help to remind you of some of the more difficult or lesser used terminology, as well as, warm you up for the scenarios prior to taking the oral exam.
Finally, I believe you should be ready. So don't be nervous, you'll be speaking into a recorder not a live human like at your job. This is much easier to do. Be confident and go for it!! Good fortune.
Interpreters Raise the Cost of Prosecutions.
At A Glance
Interpreting JusticeThe Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts provides interpreting services for individuals who have a limited ability to understand English, are deaf or hard of hearing, or are unable to speak. The office is charged by law and Arkansas Supreme Court with certifying foreign language interpreters for individuals or witnesses with limited English proficiency who appear in the state and local courts. The office provides interpreting services during court proceedings or directly related actions. The office maintains a registry of certified court interpreters who may be contracted directly by attorneys, law enforcement officers, jail officials, other state agency employees, social workers or mental health workers for interpreting services.
Source: Arkansas Administrative Office Of The Courts
I will be providing industry specific articles for my readers, like the one above for the purpose of keeping ourselves informed. Enjoy!, and provide comments please.
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