10
Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators
A S S O C I AT I ON N E W S
T
he Texas Advisory Committee on Qualifications for Healthcare Translators
and Interpreters continued to meet throughout 2012. Pursuant to its charge,
the Committee developed additional recommendations for interpreters
of foreign languages and foreign signed languages, as well as for American Sign
Language interpreters working in health care settings.
The following recommendations have been approved by the Executive Commissioner
of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and have been submitted to
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez of Austin for consideration. At this point, they remain simply
recommendations.
Recommendations for Interpreters of
Foreign Languages
and
Foreign Signed Languages
1.
Prohibit the practice of requiring patients to bring their own interpreters
in health care settings.
2.
Limit the use of uncertified or unqualified individuals to assist with communication
— including but not limited to friends, family members, associates, and others — to
those medical emergency situations — both physical and mental health
emergencies — in which an interpreter not associated with the patient is not
available by any other means, including but not limited to in-house, contracted,
and remote interpreters.
In routine situations, a provider will use a certified or qualified interpreter not
associated with the patient at no cost to the patient. The health care facility staff
will inform the patient — in the patient’s preferred language — that a qualified
interpreter will be provided at no cost to the patient.
Definitions:
Remote interpreters shall be defined as certified or qualified interpreters who
make their services available via communications technologies, such as
telephonic interpreting and web-based videoconferencing systems.
3.
Require qualifications and successful completion of HHS agency approved
training as set out below for any individual in the state of Texas who provides
interpreting services as part of his or her professional duties in a health
care setting.
Recommend the following interpreter qualifications:
Certification by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
or the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI),
OR all of the following:
Age 18
High School Education
Fluency in english and a language other than English
Experience as a translator or interpreter in a health care setting
Training in:
Interpreting Skills
o Consecutive Interpreting
o Sight Translation
o Protocols (Managing the Session)
Code of Ethics for Health Care Interpreters
Standards of Practice for Health Care Interpreters
Roles of the Health Care Interpreter
Cultural Awareness
Legislation and Regulations: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Health Information Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Health Information Technology for Economic and
Clinical Health Act (HITECH), National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically
Appropriate Services (CLAS).
General Medical Knowledge
o Anatomical Terms for Major Body Systems
o Medical Tests and Diagnostics
o Common Specialties and Medications (including physical and mental health)
o Acronyms and Abbreviations
o Routine Medical Equipment
o Infection Control
o Onsite Mentoring
o Mental/Behavioral Health
Common Disorders of Adults, Children/Adolescents
Common Medications
Psychiatric Tests and Diagnostics
Treatment Plans
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Legal Status (Voluntary, POEC, OPC)
An HHS agency shall have authority to establish, by rule, the minimum
standards for approved training and interpreter qualifications.
4.
Recommend that a registry of healthcare interpreters be established through a
non-profit organization in which interpreters who have successfully completed an
HHS agency approved training may register.
5.
Recommend that when a patient liaison/advocate is working as an interpreter,
he or she should refrain from advocating
during
the interpreted session.
6.
Recommend that the following quality assurance measures be implemented for
translation of written documents:
A request for translation should include the following information:
Advisory
Committee
UPDATE
By MARY ESTHER DIAZ
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