News & Articles

CCCS, Inc.™ NEW Interpreter ID Badge

11.20.2015

Dear Customers and Interpreters,CCCS, Inc.™ is pleased to announce its new look for all Interpreter ID badges. As of January 1, 2014, all active CCCS, Inc.™ Interpreters will wear a new ID badge.

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NEW! Getting Ready for Your ORAL Healthcare Interpreter Certification Exam

52-hour Certificate of Attendance Intensive Online Review Course

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NEW! Getting Ready for Your WRITTEN Healthcare Interpreter Certification Exam

20-hour Certificate of Attendance Intensive Online Review Course

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Affordable Care Act (ACA)

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. The ACA’s purpose is to make preventive care more accessible and affordable for many Americans. Some rights and protections in the ACA apply to plans in the Marketplace or individual insurance. ACA enrollment began on October 1, 2013 but coverage will not begin until January 1, 2014.

Starting in 2014, insurance companies can no longer turn down or charge their customers more because they have pre-existing conditions, although individual health insurance plans (insurance bought by yourself) do not have to cover pre-existing conditions. In the past, insurance companies had put a lifetime cap on the amount of care they would pay for. They would deny coverage in some cases and find “mistakes” in the paperwork as an excuse to cancel a person’s coverage. The ACA is making it illegal for insurance companies to cancel coverage because an honest mistake or information was left out on the application that has little bearing on the applicant’s health. In ending limits on care, the ACA will allow patients with chronic illnesses to continue to receive medical care and not have their insurers drop them because their health care expenses have reached a limit imposed by insurance companies.

Above all the ACA will make health care insurance more affordable. The Health Insurance Marketplace (www.healthcare.gov) will offer a way for people to find coverage that fits their budget and meet their needs. At the Marketplace, people will be able to compare their option based on price and benefits. Affordability is to provide many Americans with health insurance which in turn offers them preventive care. Preventive care are measures taken to help people stay healthy and avoid or delay health problems; which can create a bigger financial problem down the road if people’s health condition gets severe enough. With the 80-20 rule, if the insurance companies do not spend at least 80% of the money they take in on premiums, they will have to offer a rebate to their customers.

It does take some time to understand the offerings of the ACA but its main goal is to improve the quality of life. In the graphic novel – Health Care Reform: What is, Why It’s Necessary, How it Work – one of the many sources to understanding the ACA,Jonathan Grulere writes, “The major accomplishment of the Affordable Care Act is to provide true security to the insured in the U.S. It forces the insurance industry to abandon practices that had been central to their business strategy for more than 50 years.”

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2013 Language Access Plan (HHS LAP)

Congratulations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS is pleased to announce that it has published its 2013 Language Access Plan (HHS LAP) ensuring access to the Department’s programs and activities to people with limited English proficiency (LEP).

America’s population reflects diverse communications needs. Nearly 20 percent of the population (55 million people) speaks a language other than English at home, 63 percent of hospitals treat LEP patients daily or weekly and more than 15 languages are frequently encountered by at least 20 percent of hospitals.

In accordance with Executive Order 13166 (PDF, 256kb), Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, the HHS LAP establishes the Department’s policy and strategy for serving persons with LEP and its commitment to the language access principals which state that people with LEP should have meaningful access to federally funded programs, activities, services and benefits. The plan further serves as a blueprint for HHS Divisions to develop their own agency-specific language access plans.

The HHS LAP is organized into ten cross-cutting elements with specific actions steps for HHS agencies to include in their respective agency-specific plans. The ten elements include:

ELEMENT 1: Assessment: Needs and Capacity 

ELEMENT 2: Oral Language Assistance Services 

ELEMENT 3: Written Translations 

ELEMENT 4: Policies and Procedures 

ELEMENT 5: Notification of the Availability of Language Assistance at no Cost 

ELEMENT 6: Staff Training

 ELEMENT 7: Assessment: Access and Quality 

ELEMENT 8: Stakeholder Consultation (New Element) 

ELEMENT 9: Digital Information (New Element) 

ELEMENT 10: Grant Assurance and Compliance (New Element)

For more information, please visit http://www.hhs.gov/open/execorders/13166/index.html

The HHS Language Access Plan (PDF, 416kb).

Department of Justice statement on Renewing a Commitment to Language Access (PDF, 1.46mb) (2011).

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CCCS, Inc. Overview

Cross Cultural Communication Systems, Inc.™

Providing Services Globally & Nationwide Since 1996

– On-site and over the phone interpretation
– Bilingual workforce development
– Cultural competency workshops
– On-site & online trainings for interpreters
– Written translations

Embracing linguistic & cultural connections
Providing 24/7/365 language solutions

How we stand above the rest Providing services globally & nationwide

– Innovative approach to catering to language industry needs a High professional standards in serving the healthcare, legal, educational and business communities
– Industry specific tools and manuals developed by CCCS, Inc.™ experts when training and hiring professional interpreters
– Quality Assurance Program that focuses on monitoring, providing feedback, and incorporating needed changes
– Rigorous hiring and well-structured training practices to ensure that we contract only the most qualified, reliable, knowledgeable and capable interpreters and translators
– Quick response to all inquiries
– Cost Effective strategies for businesses
– Tailored reports for data collection

PO Box 2308, Woburn, MA 01888
T: 781.729.3736 x111
F: 781.729.1217
888.678.2227 x111

www.EmbracingCulture.com
©CCCS, Inc.™ 2012

CCCS, INC.™ Is commitment, excellence & innovation

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Cross Cultural Communication Systems, Inc.™ is relocating

In order to accomodate our rapid growth and business expansion, it is our pleasure to inform you that CCCS, Inc.™ is relocating to 304 Cambridge Rd. suite 103, Woburn, MA 01801.

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A Letter to Our Interpreter on Flu Season

Dear Interpreter,

The Flu Season is around the corner and the Nation is trying to have a proactive role in preventing patients, medical staff and you from getting the Flu.

CCCS, Inc.™ is encouraging all of our interpreters to be vaccinated against influenza by November 30, 2012 and then each year annually. Some customers may deny the services of interpreters who have not gotten the FLU vaccine. Others may required that interpreters wear a surgical mask for the duration of the influenza season (typically December 1-March 30) when working in or visiting a practice site and when within three (3) feet of contact with any patient(s).

Let’s reduce the transmission of the flu which begins with each of us and includes not only vaccination and masking, but also good hand hygiene and staying home when we are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

CCCS, Inc. is proudly joining more than 150 hospitals and health care systems across the nation by requesting a proactive take on encouraging each of us to take the flu vaccination after you have consulted with your personal primary care providers for any adverse concerns.

“In a typical year, more than 36,000 Americans die from seasonal flu. While we can never predict what each flu season will bring, we know that getting vaccinated is one of the best methods we have for protecting our patients and ourselves. Vaccination reduces the chances of spreading the flu to patients, colleagues, and visitors to our offices, and passing it on to our own families when we go home.” Copied from a customers’ email to CCCS, Inc. 9/13/2012

When you get the Flu vaccine, make sure that CCCS gets the official confirmation form stating you were vaccinated by mailing it to CCCS at: C/O Amanda Duross CCCS, Inc. PO Box 2308, Woburn MA 01888 or by faxing it to: (781) 729-1217. You may also want to keep a copy and carry it with you at all times.

If you have questions about the flu vaccine please visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

for more information. You may also wish to discuss specific questions about your own medical history and the flu vaccine with your doctor’s office.

Your partnership in assuring your safety is very much appreciated!

Amanda Duross, Fatuma Hassan and Stefanie diMeo

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Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters Receives Accreditation of its CHI™ Certificationfrom the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

WASHINGTON June 29, 2012—The NCCA accredited the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI) CHI™-Spanish Certification for a five-year period, expiring June 30, 2017 during its recent meeting. “CCHI is the first and only organization certifying healthcare interpreters to
receive NCCA accreditation,” said Natalya Mytareva, CCHI Chair.

Founded in July 2009, CCHI is a professional certification organization acting in the public
interest by establishing and enforcing education, examination, experience and ethics requirements for certification. Currently, 314 healthcare interpreters are certified to use the CHI™-Spanish designation.

CCHI received NCCA accreditation of its Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI™) program by submitting an application demonstrating the program’s compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance). Since 1977, the NCCA has been accrediting certifying programs based on the highest quality standards in professional certification to ensure the programs adhere to modern standards of practice in the certification industry. To view the standards visit http://www.credentialingexcellence.org/ncca .

There are more than 260 NCCA accredited programs that certify individuals in a wide range of
professions and occupations including nurses, financial professionals, respiratory therapists, counselors, emergency technicians, crane operators and more. Of ICE’s more than 330 organizational members, over 120 of them have accredited programs.

ICE’s mission is to advance credentialing through education, standards, research, and advocacy to ensure competence across professions and occupations. NCCA was founded as a commission whose mission is to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs that assess professional competence. NCCA uses a peer review process to: establish accreditation standards; evaluate compliance with these standards; recognize programs which demonstrate compliance; and serve as a resource on quality certification.

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Getting Ready For Your Written Certification Exam

Please note that this course was designed to prepare interpreters for both written certification exams. However, students who already have passed the certification exam may want to use this course for Continuing Education Credits, and at the same time review important medical information.

Currently there are two organizations that are presently offering national certification for healthcare interpreters. This is an exciting time for healthcare interpreters and many are looking to take advantage of the benefits that certification offers.

In order to help you prepare for the written portion of the exam we are proud to offer this online certification training.

Prerequisites for this written component:

• Picture ID confirming that applicant is 18 years of age or older.

• Proof of High School Graduation as a minimum.

• Proof of Healthcare Interpreting Certificate (40 hour minimum).

• Students need to meet the qualifying criteria for the certification exam that they wish to take.

After an applicant has been accepted to the course, they will have to register online in order to take the course, by following the steps outlined. Students have thirty days to complete the course.

Students registering for this course are expected to be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Eleven main body systems

• Common illnesses

• Common procedures

• Interpreter standards by the IMIA, NCIHC and CHIA

Description of Training:

This course will help prepare active qualified healthcare interpreters for both of the national certification written exams. In order to simulate the written certification exams, students will have the opportunity to take online tests. This course will help prepare the student to get the feel of how the certification exam will be presented and will allow them to receive instant feedback on their progress. Students will be able to use these exams as a tool to help gauge their progress, and as an indicator to help them determine their readiness for the certification exam.

This review course will focus on four main modules:

i. Test Taking Techniques: Different strategies that can be used when taking a written exam. Students will have the opportunity to practice test taking.

ii. Interpreting Standards: Practical applications of the IMIA, NCIHC and the CHIA Interpreter standards through case studies. This will not only include a review of the ethics but will encourage the students to use critical thinking so as to learn how to best handle difficult situations when they arise.

iii. Medical Terminology: A practical review of medical terminology. The students will be introduced or re-introduced to how medical words are comprised and how the Samurai! Technique is an effective way to break down complex medical words.

iv. Review of 11 main Body Systems: The Systems are: 1- Cells, Skin and Epithelium, 2-Skeletal, 3-Muscular, 4-Nervous, 5-Endocrine, 6-Cardiovascular, 7-Immune, 8-Respiratory, 9-Digestive, 10-Urinary, and 11- Human Life Cycle. In this module, faculty will include how each system functions along with key terms and conditions and procedures associated with the particular system.

Schedule:

Online: As of December, 2011, students will be able to take the training online, and they will have up to thirty days to complete course.

Course Fees:

Tuition: $199.00

Application Fee: $ 10.00

No discounts may be applied to this training.

The American Translators Association has approved this training program for 3 Continuing Education Points, and by the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) for 2 Continuing Education Units.

Student’s Responsibilities for Each Class:

1. A comprehensive Atlas of Anatomy. CCCS recommends The Human Body, by Charles Clayman MD, produced by DK Publishing. This Atlas can be purchased online and usually costs $20.00 or less, when purchased second hand.

2. Pay full tuition before completing registration process.

3. Your login information. When you register, you will be given an enrollment key that will allow you to create your own online account for this course.

Students will receive a certificate of attendance within one week of successfully completing the training.

Faculty:

Zarita Araujo-Lane, LICSW, President and founder of Cross Cultural Communication Systems, Inc., is a Primary Instructor for Interpreting in Mental Health Settings, and serves as an adjunct instructor in our other classes. She has over 25 years experience working with cross-cultural populations in medical and mental health organizations. Ms. Araujo-Lane was the director of a mental health cross-cultural team for over ten years at Health and Education Services in the North Shore area. She has published articles on cross-cultural management including chapters written in 1996 and 2005 on “Portuguese Families” for the second and third editions of the book, Ethnicity and Family Therapy, by Monica McGoldrick. Ms. Araujo-Lane leads the creative team responsible for the development of The Art of Medical Interpretation training material series, and has authored multiple articles for publications of the American Translators Association and other scholarly journals.

Vera Duarte, a Primary Instructor for medical interpretation courses, holds a BA and MA in Foreign Language Education from universities in Portugal and an MA in Applied Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts. Ms. Duarte is certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education to teach ESL to grades 5-12. She currently teaches ESL, World Literature, and Medical Interpretation at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, MA.

Amanda Duross, as the CCCS Director of Interpreter Resource and Quality Assurance, is responsible for maintaining the high standards of quality interpretation for which CCCS has become renowned. She chairs the Critical Incident Team and conducts the follow-up with interpreters and customers for all reported incidents. Ms. Duross is also the Language Coach Coordinator and recruits trained and qualified interpreters for CCCS freelance interpreting assignments. She is a trained medical interpreter, is fluent in Portuguese and conversational in Spanish. Ms. Duross successfully completed the Intensive Art of Medical Interpretation course at CCCI before joining CCCS, Inc. in 2006.

Andrew Jerger, a Primary Instructor for medical interpretation courses, is an experienced interpreter and instructor. He spent 11 years in the Dominican Republic, teaching public speaking courses in Spanish, English language classes and Spanish reading and writing classes. Mr. Jerger successfully completed the Art of Medical Interpretation course at CCCI and went on to become a language coach before joining CCCI faculty in 2009.

Dr. Richard S. Lane, a bilingual guest instructor in the medical interpretation courses, is an Internist in the Extended Care Facility Program at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates of Boston, Massachusetts. His interests include the doctor/patient relationship, teaching interview skills to medical students and residents, cross-cultural communication in medicine, care of elderly patients in rehabilitation and sub-acute units, and palliative medicine and hospice care at End of Life. He became board certified in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine in 2005.

For more information, please contact Linda at 781-497-5066 or info@embracingculture.com.

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