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Oregon to adopt the Certification for Medical Interpreters through the National Board |
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Monday, 27 December 2010 11:08 |
Well folks, it's been some time since the Certifications for Medical Interpreters through the National Board was created. It looks like we now have State of Oregon as first state that officially adopted the program. We are yet to see how it will affect the industry in general but first step is made and this is good news. Our congratulations are going to all hard working people at the National Board and administration of the brave State of Oregon. Full PR text after the break.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL BOARD OF CERTIFICATION FOR MEDICAL INTERPRETERS:
The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters is pleased to announce that today that the State of Oregon has become the first state in the nation to officially adopt the Certification for Medical Interpreters (CMI) through the National Board.
Patients in the United States with limited English proficiency (LEP) continue to face language barriers that threaten their health and undermine their well-being. This first of its kind national interpreting standard provides professional interpreters working in the medical field with the opportunity to be tested and credentialed as certified interpreters.
The Oregon Office of Multicultural Health & Services also has awarded a grant to the National Board for the development of oral certification exams in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian. CMI launched the first national certification exam for Spanish in October 2009.
The state’s adoption of the certification exams and credentialing process established by the National Board is an important validation of our historic initiative to bring a national standard to the profession. It is my hope that other states will follow Oregon's lead and adopt the CMI designation as a requirement for medical interpreters.”
“By embracing the National Board’s standards and supporting its expansion for five additional languages, Oregon is saving considerable time and resources to achieve our goal of ensuring the safety of LEP patients,” said David Cardona, MD, MPH, Healthcare Interpreter Program Coordinator for the Oregon Office of Multicultural Health & Services. “Oregon is ready to bring the benefits of medical interpreter certification to our state, where the LEP population has nearly tripled since 1990.”
Hopefully, this will be the first of many states to make this monumental change that recognizes and solidifies the vision and work of many individuals, organizations and supporters. |
