New Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters Opens Doors to Improve Provider-Patient Communication & Quality Me...(mp; Clinics in Madison. The new...),Health

The new credentialing agency is staffed with an outstanding group of professionals selected as CCHI commissioners and advisors. In the next two years, commissioners will work to develop, implement and administer a comprehensive certification program for healthcare interpreters, who are CCHI's customers.

Items on the new commission's agenda include:

• Completion of a Global Job Task Analysis as a framework for the first national healthcare interpreter certification program
• Initiation of certification test development customized to the specific practices of healthcare interpreters
• Collaboration with the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) to develop national training standards for healthcare interpreters
  

In addition, CCHI has taken an innovative step in the world of credentialing by adding Advisory Panels within its operational structure to address the complexities of certification. Members of these panels will include owners or administrators of recognized and accredited healthcare certification programs, accrediting agency professionals, healthcare interpreter industry experts, and healthcare industry and policy stakeholders.

"As a neutral party, CCHI now takes leadership in the national dialogue on certification of healthcare interpreters with its primary interest focused on assuring the well-being of those who need interpreting services," said Karin Ruschke, CCHI Commissioner and President of International Language Services, Inc. in Chicago.

According to the U.S. Census, more than 25 million people speak English less than very well and may be considered limited English proficient (LEP). Healthcare providers report:

• 80 percent of hospitals frequently encounter LEP patients
• 81 percen
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