Program Overview
Program Overview
Qualified health care interpreters are a critical component of the language access equation. However, there is a lack of trained professionals throughout the country. National Linguistic & Cultural Programs (NLCP), a functional unit of Kaiser Permanente's National Diversity Department, is addressing this increasing need with its Health Care Interpreter Certificate Program, now in its eighth year in partnership with City College of San Francisco (CCSF).
The HCI Certificate Program is recognized in the industry as a model program that increases community capacity to provide high-quality health care interpreting services. The goal is to ensure access to culturally & linguistically appropriate services by increasing the pool of trained and qualified health care interpreters.
Health care interpreting requires a complex and intricate set of knowledge and skills, and has become a recognized professional service by the industry. Studies have shown that language is a major determinant in accessing health care and that the use of untrained interpreters and lack of effective communication are underlying causes of health care disparities for many non or limited English populations. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for trained and qualified health care interpreters.
As an integral member of the health care team, the interpreter helps to facilitate communication between patients, clinicians, and the health care system at large. Unless the doctor speaks the patient’s preferred language, interpreting services are key to assuring optimal care during the clinical encounter.
NLCP's nationally acclaimed HCI model program is a cost-effective and innovative approach that addresses the growing needs of culturally & linguistically diverse communities. Partnerships between health care organizations and educational institutions provide a unique practice-oriented curriculum with a strong academic focus and alignment with health standards of care.