As Professional Medical Interpreters we understand that belonging to a professional organization has its merits. In fact, many employers in our industry require that interpreters belong to the IMIA, NCIHC, CCHIA, or other interpreter organization. Futhermore, employers are going so far as to include this as a requirement on its job descriptions used to hire interpreters, ( ie; Lahey Clinic ad for a staff interpreter ).
The difficulty I am finding is that these national organizations are great and provide opportunities for continued development and training, but most of the time the trainings are often too far away and far few between. Furthermore, the seminars offered aren't always what some of us need. Thus, we attend to attain a certificate of participation because we require it in order to maintain our national certification.
I believe that we can do better. Because many of us live too far away from some of the proposed conference sites, or don't always posses the financial means to attend costly conferences. We can addresss this situation by creating local or regional interpreter associations or organizations. This would provide us with local recognition and branding that we could then use to provide needed professional services and development close to home and work.
Futhermore, we could partner with the local colleges and other community health organizations. This is an opportunity to provide us a forum where we as professionals can share our knowledge with others. In addition, we can create opportunities for professional development in vital areas of learning. Finally, we can have our local professional educators provide low cost seminars that address our concerns and desired learning objectives or goals.
If you are interested in creating a local or regional state interpreter association you can contact me at 617-880-9158.
