Language Line® University Develops International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters

Free online clearing house of medical interpreter qualifications will be an industry milestone and definitive healthcare resource

MONTEREY, CA – (September 30, 2008) – In celebration of International Translator’s Day (9/30/2008), Language Line® University today announced the development of an online “International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters.”

The first industry resource of its kind, once launched the registry will give hospitals, healthcare organizations, interpreters and researchers access to a free online resource for identifying professional medical interpreters and reviewing their language skills and credentials. It will also serve as a professional development tool for the growing medical interpreting industry and a vehicle for raising awareness of the importance of the interpreting profession.

Although a standardized medical certification does not yet exist at the national level in the United States or internationally, there are several recognized medical interpreter certification programs currently available to interpreters. This registry will serve as a resource to raise awareness about these programs while drawing more focus on the need to establish a national medical interpreter certification. 

In addition to utilizing and sharing Language Line University’s medical interpreter certification process, the registry will also draw from and chronicle standards of all other recognized certification programs, making the registry a central point of information about these existing programs which will support and assist organizations currently researching methodologies for certification.  

Funded by a grant through Language Line University, a globally recognized interpreter training and certification subsidiary of Language Line Services, there will be no membership or access fees to use or participate in the International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters. Medical interpreters will be able to use this posting as a verification of qualifications at no cost.  Organizations with existing certifications that want to participate in the open registry and share information about their programs can also do so free of charge

A recently formed Global Advisory Council (GAC) will establish a review process for ensuring standards and credibility of the registry in which all participating organizations, including Language Line University, will adhere to. The GAC consists of professionals and subject matter experts from the United States as well as several international locations.  

“The industry needs a resource for identifying qualified professional medical interpreters as a way to improve patient safety and ensure effective communication between healthcare providers and patients with limited English proficiency,” said Glenn E. Pearson, FACHE Executive Vice President of the Georgia Hospital Association. “We commend Language Line for tackling this issue and supporting the development of the International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters.”

Despite stringent laws and regulations, only a portion of encounters between healthcare providers and limited-English speaking patients take place with the use of a professional interpreter. Many encounters involve untrained individuals, including bilingual staff, friends, family and even children, simply because they share a language. Research indicates, however, that professional medical interpreters, who are trained in medical terminology and cultural nuances, can improve outcomes for patients, lower risks, and even reduce costs.

“For too long interpreters and healthcare providers have protested this service gap -- we heard and we listened,” said Louis Provenzano, President and COO of Language Line Services,   “We are very pleased to be able to support the needs of the medical interpreting community and healthcare providers, by bringing them together through this online platform. The establishment of the International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters represents our ongoing commitment to improve the quality of healthcare provided to limited-English proficient patients while giving back to the communities we serve.”

Ying Shi, a professional certified medical interpreter who speaks Mandarin and has a Ph. D. in biology noted his enthusiasm for the registry, “I think the registry is a great milestone for the industry and long overdue. We have been pushing for many years for more recognition of the medical interpreting profession and the important work we do every day. Communication is a fundamental first step in any medical diagnosis, treatment or proactive care.”

About Language Line University

Language Line University is the globally recognized interpreter training and certification subsidiary of Language Line Services, the leading provider of telephone interpreting and other language-based services. Language Line Services is a trusted partner to thousands of organizations whose focus is to effectively serve the rapidly expanding market of limited English speakers.

The company delivers a dynamic suite of solutions spanning phone, on-site and video interpreting, translation, transcription, localization and localized software and devices and the only medical interpreter certification program that is externally validated.

Through its leading-edge technology infrastructure, Language Line Services provides support for more than 170 spoken languages and American Sign Language to its industry-leading portfolio of clients across markets including healthcare, financial services, government, telecom, manufacturing, insurance, entertainment, travel, and more.

For information on how Language Line Services is helping clients achieve their strategic multi-cultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096.