National Survey of Medical Interpreter Community, The Next Key Step in Path to National Certification Launch

Language Line® University, the International Medical Interpreter Association and PSI Services LLC Call for Broad, Industry-wide Participation

MONTEREY, CA – (January 27, 2009) – In the ongoing process of constructing a national test for certified medical interpreters (CMI), Language Line® University, the globally recognized interpreter testing, training and certification division of Language Line Services, with the support and participation of the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA), has launched a national job analysis survey of the medical interpreter community.  The results of the survey will be used to expand the patent-pending certification program.  Language Line University has also partnered with PSI Services, LLC, an industry-leading provider of professional testing services, and consulted with the Global Advisory Council and a team of subject matter experts from around the country.

“This survey is a critical step in launching a national certification for medical interpreting that reflects the skills and knowledge necessary to communicate with limited English proficient patients and their families,” explains Louis Provenzano, President and COO of Language Line Services. “We encourage all medical interpreters to help advance their profession by taking part in this survey. Let your voices be heard.”

Participation in the survey is being offered to working professionals in the healthcare field, with a specific focus on medical interpreters who have an interest in the advancement of the profession and in obtaining a valid and valued professional credential. Survey participants include staff and volunteer interpreters in healthcare settings, members of medical interpreter associations, freelance interpreters, telephonic, video and on-site interpreters, and interpreters working for insurance providers. Individuals interested in participating may take the survey at (no longer available) which is open from January 20 through February 1, 2009.

“The interpreter’s voice is the most important voice in this process. This national certification belongs to the ones who will undergo certification and are the ultimate experts in medical interpreting,” says Izabel Arocha, President, International Medical Interpreters Association.

Work leading up to the survey entailed an inventory and environmental scan of all information relevant to the job performed by medical interpreters across the country. Input was also gathered from the Global Advisory Council in 2008 and through focus groups held on January 12 and 13, 2009, consisting of 49 independent medical interpreters and representatives from the healthcare industry. Additional industry focus groups will be held after survey data has been tallied and analyzed to seek input on the certification test.

According to Marc Friedman, Coordinator of Interpreter Services at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., "The survey was absolutely worthwhile. This is our opportunity to share in the creation of a milestone, the design of a national medical interpreter certification. It is also an opportunity for introspection.  While answering the survey questions, one inevitably wonders, 'How well have I mastered these areas and how essential are they?’”

"This comprehensive national job analysis survey addresses the competencies needed to be a qualified medical interpreter and is invaluable in the development of a National Medical Interpreter Certification Test," added Isabel C. Barrera of Denver Health. "Ultimately, the test will help establish a national certification of medical interpreters that will improve patient safety and the quality of language assistance services."

In appreciation for the time and expertise they contribute, respondents’ names will be entered into a drawing to win professional interpreter association memberships, gift certificates for “InTrans Book Services” (www.intransbooks.com/), and free registrations for National Medical Interpreter Certification testing. The grand prize will be an all-expense paid trip to Denver, Colorado, for the Third Annual National Medical Interpreter Certification Forum on May 1, 2009.

For more information please contact Jeanette Anders at janders@languageline.com.

About PSI

PSI has over 60 years of experience providing solutions to corporations, professional associations and government regulatory agencies. PSI offers a comprehensive solutions approach from test development to delivery to results processing, including pre-hire employment selection, managerial assessments, licensing and certification tests, license Management services and professional services. More information is available at www.psionline.com.

About IMIA

The International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) is committed to the advancement of professional medical interpreters as the best practice for equitable language access to health care for linguistically diverse patients worldwide. Founded in 1986, it is comprised of over 1,600 members, and is the oldest and largest medical interpreter association in the world. While representing medical interpreters as the ultimate experts in the medical interpreting field, associate membership to the IMIA is open to multidisciplinary groups interested in medical interpreting and language access in health care, an international human right. IMIA (www.imiaweb.org) has divisions of providers, corporate members, trainers and interpreters in over 100 languages.

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.