Language Line^® University Launches International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters

Free Online Clearing House of Medical Interpreter Qualifications

MONTEREY, Calif. - December 3, 2008 - Language Line^® University today announced the launch of the “International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters,” located online at www.ircmi.org.

The first comprehensive, global industry resource of its kind, the registry gives 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 also serves as a professional development tool for interpreters who specialize in clinical situations and a vehicle for raising awareness of the importance of the medical interpreting profession.

There are no membership or access fees to use or participate in the International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters. The registry is funded by a grant through Language Line University, a globally recognized interpreter testing, training and certification division of Language Line Services. Medical interpreters are able to use their registry 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.

“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, and 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.”

According to Louis Provenzano, President and COO of Language Line Services, despite stringent laws only a portion of the encounters between healthcare providers and limited English speaking patients take place with the use of a professional interpreter and many encounters involve untrained individuals, including bilingual staff, friends, family and even children, simply because they share a language.

“Years of proven industry research leaves little doubt that professional medical interpreters who are trained in medical terminology and cultural nuances can improve outcomes for patients, lower risks, and even reduce costs,” said Provenzano.

“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 at the same time provide recognition and professional development tools for the medical interpreters who serve them.”

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

“Having access to this online registry will help me as an administrator have peace of mind knowing that the medical interpreters we work with are professionals as opposed to just bilingual,” commented Jonathan Hirsch, Director of Guest Services and Patient Advocate at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey. “Our language access program is only as good as the interpreters who help us communicate with our patients.”

According to Fabio Heredia, LLU, CMI, a Colombia-born interpreter certified in Spanish/English, “The International Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters is advancing the medical interpreting profession by focusing much needed attention on the skill and experience interpreters bring to the delivery of healthcare and the role we play in patient safety. Being certified and a part of the registry is an important accomplishment, one that I know my parents would have been proud to see me achieve.”

Medical interpreters and organizations or states that offer certification are invited to visit www.ircmi.org and to contact staff@ircmi.org to have their information added to this dynamic industry resource.

About Language Line® University

Language Line® University is the globally recognized interpreter testing, training and certification division of Language Line Services, the leading provider of language-based services and solutions. Language Line University provides interpreter training, as well as an externally validated test in 170 languages, and Certification of Medical Interpreters (CMI), currently available in 22 languages. It also offers Court Certification in 15 languages. Language Line University’s testing, training and certification have proved to be valuable, credible and dependable tools used by healthcare organizations and interpreters nationwide and in Canada to ensure that the language access services they provide to their patients and community are of the highest quality. For more information, visit www.languageLine.com/llu, email LLU@languageline.com, or call 1-877-351-6636.

About Language Line Services

Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language-based services, is a trusted partner to thousands of organizations whose focus is to effectively serve the rapidly expanding market of limited English proficient 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 health-care, 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 or visit www.languageline.com/news_room.