The other day, I debriefed an interpreter about an incident that had come to my attention. The medical provider had asked the interpreter to act independently with the patient, and the interpreter’s explanation of professional boundaries was not well received by the provider staff. However, as is generally the case, there’s more to the story. The interpreter had also taken advantage of a lull in the conversation during treatment to check their phone, and this became a focus of the provider’s complaint.
How to conduct yourself while on the job
We all understand that independent contractors try to keep a full schedule. There are many benefits to being an independent contractor, and being successful requires efficiency and responsiveness. I commonly hear laments about the need to be “always paying attention and on the go.” While the grass may appear greener on the other side of the fence, I’m not aware of any well-compensated, well-respected profession without a similar need to be productive, responsive, accurate, reliable—professional.
But there are always those who look for a way that is “better,” a way that costs less, requires less effort, or is “easier.” And let’s not forget the influence of bonuses or “incentives”—if an employee finds a way to save money, they can often benefit.
I recently spoke with Lorena Ortiz Schneider, and she shared the details of an incident in California where a not fully certified interpreter attempted to complete an assignment for which a fully certified interpreter was legally required. Many of you know of Lorena as a passionate advocate of interpreters. She is a graduate of MIIS and a certified interpreter. She is also the founder and president of Ortiz Schneider Interpreting & Translation based in Santa Barbara, California.
What does it mean to be fully certified?
In this instance, the interpreter showed a Hub-CMI certification badge at a workers’ compensation evaluation. California law is clear for this type of appointment: An interpreter must be fully certified as either a California Court, CCHI, or NBCMI interpreter.* Not being fully qualified for this encounter, yet having an official badge from a certifying agency, understandably creates confusion.
Who benefits when a not fully certified interpreter wrongly accepts such an assignment? Certainly the interpreter—who had only passed the written exam for Spanish and did not take the oral exam. Although the compensation is not known, it’s a reasonable possibility the interpreter offered a lower rate and the insurance company client almost certainly considered this.
Maybe the insurance company adjuster received a bonus or “performance incentive” for the claim because the expenses were lower. Then again, let’s consider that everyone was guided by their better angels and the Hub-CMI interpreter didn’t realize this violated the law and charged the same rate as a fully certified CMI interpreter.
Know the laws in your state for medical/healthcare interpreters
We expect professionals to know the laws related to their profession and it is a responsibility of professionals to follow professional ethics. In this case, a not fully certified interpreter either didn’t know, or didn’t inform the client, of the need for full certification for the appointment—clearly this is a demonstrated lack of professionalism. Even if the interpreter passes the second step of certification (the oral exam), and demonstrates linguistic proficiency, is this really someone worthy of certification?
Being fully certified, and maintaining that certification, is more expensive—taking CE classes and keeping up with the current laws take time. Interpreters who are not fully certified don’t feel the need to invest in these efforts. It’s not clear if they understand the legal obligations they assume. Do they make a real effort to deliver professional service, and to improve?
Whatever your certification status, always be professional
There are too many who focus on the “certification” rather than the professionalism it represents. Is an interpreter who has a certification badge, but acts unprofessionally, truly certified? How about an interpreter who does not have a certification badge but follows the guidelines of professional practice? If you were to fall ill in a country where you don’t speak the language, which interpreter would you want?
Gaining respect for the interpreting profession will take time. We must continue to advocate, we must continue educate, and we must continue to demonstrate the professionalism that merits respect.
Richard Antoine, MIB/MBA
Executive Director, InterpreterEd.com
*Answers to frequently asked questions about interpreter certification, Division of Workers’ Compensation, State of California Department of Industrial Relations.