Can healthcare interpreters become certified through a national organization?
Currently there are two organizations that provide certifications for some languages. For more information please contact The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) at www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) at www.healthcareinterpretercertification.org. CCCS, Inc.™ supports CCHI in their endeavors to bring about a vendor-neutral approach to its certification program development. The National Board awarded its first certifications on July 8th, 2010, and CCHI began its first pilot testing on October 18th, 2010.
Is The Joint Commission mandating certification for all interpreters?
At this moment The Joint Commission has not mandated certification, and this is outlined in the letter sent by the Senior Vice President of the Joint Commission to the Senior Manager of Public Health Initiatives, dated November 6, 2009. In the letter it was outlined that The Joint Commission does not require interpreters to be certified, but they do require organizations to only use interpreters that are competent and qualified. As an institute and employer, we always encourage interpreters to continue their education, such as certification preparation.
Can legal interpreters become certified?
In the legal field, NJITCE is the only nationwide certification exam developed exclusively by judiciary interpreters and translators and is recognized in some, but not all states. For the court system, certification is available but only for Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole. For the other languages an interpreter can become a “professionally qualified interpreter” or a “skilled interpreter.” Different court systems have developed their own training and interpreter assessment programs.
Does CCCS, Inc.™ comply with the new Proposed National Standards for Healthcare Interpreter Training Programs?
Yes. CCCS, Inc.™ makes every effort to stay current in the interpreting industry. We are constantly reviewing industry standards to make sure that our programs either meet or more than meet industry expectations. We also invite all applicants and other parties to compare the new set of standards found athttp://www.ncihc.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=98590, to our training programs and our The Art of Medical Interpretation®, Third Edition Manual. For additional information, please contact us at 781.729.3736.
What is the difference between a Certificate of Accomplishment and a Certificate of Attendance?
A Certificate of Accomplishment is given to the student at CCCS, Inc.™ after completing a full 60 hours of interpreter training program and you have successfully passed the required oral and written exam to prepare you as a professional and qualified interpreter. In other words, at the successful completion of the requirements of a CCCI professional interpreter training program, you are awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment. ACertificate of Attendance indicates that you have attended a Professional Development interpreter training workshop.
Does CCCS, Inc.™/CCCI partner with sponsor organizations?
Yes, CCCS, Inc.™ can partner with sponsor organizations to offer interpreter training programs anywhere in the continental U.S.A. representative of your sponsor organization may contact a CCCS, Inc.™ training representative to discuss your training needs. We are also currently in the process of developing some online courses that will be offered in the very near future.
What is a “pre-screening” evaluation?
All CCCS, Inc.™ medical and legal interpreter program applicants must take a “pre-screening” exam prior to course registration. This exam helps ensure that only capable bilingual applicants are enrolled as students. During this exam the applicant writes a short story in both their target language and in English. They are also expected to be able to translate a few sentences and explain a few idioms. There is also a short oral component that helps CCCI understand the language fluency of the applicant. Pre-screenings for translator program applicants involve the written translation of a short text from English into the target language(s) and from the target language(s) into English.
Does CCCS, Inc.™ assist organizations with qualifying potential interpreters?
Yes. CCCS, Inc.™ has developed a state of the art quality interpreter program that is available to many organizations.
Does CCCI offer online learning?
In order to reach a broader audience and as per student demand, CCCS, Inc.™ through CCCI offers a series of online courses and Webinars. The same requirements for pre-screening, enrollment, evaluations, homework and final exams apply.