As we all know technology is an inevitable part of doing and performing business in this era of fast moving technological advances. Technology has invaded the interpreter world just as fast as it has in all other businesses. In fact, technology in the interpreting industry has gone as far as replacing some humans. Sound familiar? The survival of interpreters is dependent on their ability to adapt and learn how to use new techonolgy.
At a recent conference organized by the Unversity of Massachusetts Medical Center one of the courses being offered was titled " Using Technology". Of course, UMAS Medical Center is at the forefront of the nuances of our industry. The pricipal message of this course, which was led by a Stewart Healthcare employee, who's name I'll not mention as I did not get her permission to do so, was that interpreters today must not fear technology or fear being replaced by it. What interpreters must do today to continue to have success in this industry is embrace technology, learn to use it, and continue to diversify their experiencial portfolio in order to create multiple sources of income and increase their value to employers.
After sitting through an hour and a half of an interactive lecture I was pleased to hear that there are real visionaries in this industry who can articulate the message required to motivate interpreters young and mature to continue to develope their skills and not fear change. In management we call this kind of leader a change agent. Moreover, the lectureer can, in addition to holding this title, be classified as a transformational leader. Inspirational in her message and detailed in how to achieve success, while offering herself as an individual that one can contact at any time to discuss her vision in greater detail, she came across as an exceptional leader.
Well, Stewart has selected the right person to lead their Interpreter Services Departments in all of their Hospitals in New England. Her message is right on target and each interpreter in our industry should embrace it and run with it if they are to survive in our industry.
Futhermore, let me add that for 3 years I have been influential in attaining technological change in one hospital. It is here where the idea started and an Interpreter Services Coordinator close to me has actually been the behind the scenes change agent. This individual has for years been meeting with the states interpreter services focus group and sharing her own experiences with the institution of new technologies at the facility where she is employed. I won't mention her name either. However, she knows who she is. I thank her very much for embracing my efforts to modernize the way we as interpreters perform our duties day to day.
We have additional nuances to embrace and our future is bright. Interpreters, I would like to echo the message and add to it. Embrace the technology by becoming an efficient user of its functions. Learn what changes are occurring in our industry and get yourselves schooled on its uses immediately so that you can be part of the developement/implementation process. In other words "don't follow, lead!".
13 June, 2013
National Certification Preparation Seminar
On Saturday June 15 from 9:00am - 4:00pm there will be a National Interpreter Certification Exam preparation seminar. It will be held at Lawrence General Hospital, 1 General Street, Lawrence, MA. 01841.
I don't know if there is any room left. However, if you reside in the Boston area and are interested in participating you can contact Liz Laborne at 978-683-4000 ext. 2676. for more information.
Please accept my apologies for the late notice. Good Luck!
I don't know if there is any room left. However, if you reside in the Boston area and are interested in participating you can contact Liz Laborne at 978-683-4000 ext. 2676. for more information.
Please accept my apologies for the late notice. Good Luck!
10 June, 2013
Laws Requiring Interpreter Services and Interpreter Knowledge
Lately I've been researching the laws that require hospitals, clinics, and other medical providers to provide interpreter services for those patients who are limited English Proficient. I've heard of the Civil Rights Act, Title VI, of 1964, In Mass. Chapter 66, Emergency Room Interpreter Law, The Joint Commision Standards, Office of Minority Health, CLAS standards, and several more. However, in my opinion many interpreters can quote the already mentioned and several more depending on where they are in the country. However, do Interpreters really understand the specific requirements under each of the statutes? I believe not.
As an Interpreter who is nationally certified I am just now researching HHS documents pertinent to these statutes. In addition to HHS there is the website of the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services, both, have an archive of documents that contain valuable information regarding some of the particular parts of these statutes and how it applies to patient rights, hospital reimbursment for interpretation and translation services, and much more. As interpreters we have a responsibilty to be familiar with the various laws. However, right now there aren't any trainings specifically addressing this topic.
My recommendation to Interpreters around the country is to visit these sites and gain additional knowledge regarding the statutes. Also, try to learn about reimbursment rates, and formulas prescribed, as it relates to the established rate that a hospital charges for procedures. Furthermore, knowing the specific responsibilities of providers under the law can be very valuable. This knowledge in particular can serve us in our responsibilities as advocates. So, if you are as curious as I, visit the link below and readup. The more we know the more effective we will be.
As an Interpreter who is nationally certified I am just now researching HHS documents pertinent to these statutes. In addition to HHS there is the website of the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services, both, have an archive of documents that contain valuable information regarding some of the particular parts of these statutes and how it applies to patient rights, hospital reimbursment for interpretation and translation services, and much more. As interpreters we have a responsibilty to be familiar with the various laws. However, right now there aren't any trainings specifically addressing this topic.
My recommendation to Interpreters around the country is to visit these sites and gain additional knowledge regarding the statutes. Also, try to learn about reimbursment rates, and formulas prescribed, as it relates to the established rate that a hospital charges for procedures. Furthermore, knowing the specific responsibilities of providers under the law can be very valuable. This knowledge in particular can serve us in our responsibilities as advocates. So, if you are as curious as I, visit the link below and readup. The more we know the more effective we will be.
22 May, 2013
National Medical Interpreter Certification
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.
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.
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
Email
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
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