New interpreters with limited experience spend time with more experienced interpreters until their skills are established. In combination with workshops on specific medical topics provided by the Cross Cultural Healthcare Program, this training has provided interpreters with the basic skills and information they need. In addition to interpretation services, CIS also provides translation services. Completed translation projects include an enrollee handbook for a managed care organization, numerous patient education materials, survey instruments, and consent forms for various health care agencies. A skilled answering service handles after-hour emergency requests.
Interpreters carry pagers to facilitate quick response.
By contracting with interpreters on an hourly basis, the program can respond to changes in language needs over time by adding interpreters without incurring significant additional expense. The program is part of a larger organization which specializes in the provision of culturally-appropriate health advocacy, health promotion, disease prevention, and immigrant and refugee services. Avenue, Suite 2C, Seattle, WA 98122. As with the rest of Diversity Rx, this section is a work in progress and we welcome information on other efforts, programs, and reports that will expand upon the information offered here. Please let us know if you have other examples to include here.