The Community Interpreter - Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
What is Community Interpreting? - -A specialization of interpreting used in community-
based settings to facilitate access to community services such as medical, educational, and
social services.
You support equal access to community services by facilitating communication and
understanding.
-Define medical interpreting: - -Interpreting for patients, their family and a healthcare
provider.
-What is the purpose of interpreting? - -To facilitate communication between parties who
do not share a common language.
-Describe Communicative Autonomy: - -The capacity of each party in an encounter to be
responsible for and in control of his/her own communication.
-Which area of community interpreting has become the most professionalized? - -Medical
-List the minimum requirements as an interpreter: - -- Be 18 years old
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be proficient in two languages
- Hold a certificate for professional interpreter training (at least 40 hrs)
-Difference between certificate and certification: - -Certification is the process.
Certificate is the official document showing completion of the process.
-Which kinds of organizations develop recognized certification programs for interpreters?
- -Professional organizations or government entities.
-Name the organizations that provide national medical interpreter certification programs:
- -CCHI- Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
NBCMI- National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters
-What is a code of ethics? - -A set of principles or values that govern the conduct of
members of a profession while they are engaged in the encounter of that profession.
The "rules" that show us what we should do.
, -What are standards of practice? - -A set of guidelines that show us "the how" to perform
in a profession. (Guidelines to code of ethics)
-List some differences between ethics and standards of practice: - -Ethics are the rule,
Standards of Practice are the guidelines.
Ethics is more strict, Standards of Practice is more flexible.
Ethics is what we should do, Standards of Practice are how we do it.
-What does NCIHC stand for and when did they publish the National Code of Ethics for
Interpreters in Health Care? - -NCIHC - National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
Published in 2004.
-Name the nine principles in the NCIHC code of ethics with one Standard of Practice each: -
-1. Confidentiality
- The interpreter protects written patient information in his or her possession.
2. Respect
- The interpreter promotes patient autonomy.
3. Accuracy
- The interpreter maintains transparency.
4. Professionalism
- The interpreter is prepared for all assignments.
5. Impartiality
- The interpreter does not allow personal judgments or cultural values to influence
objectivity.
6. Cultural Awareness
- The interpreter alerts all parties to any significant cultural misunderstanding that arises.
7. Role Boundaries
- The interpreter limits personal involvement with all parties during the interpreting
assignment.
8. Advocacy
- The interpreter may speak out to protect an individual from serious harm.
9. Professional Development
- The interpreter seeks feedback to improve his/her performance.
Questions and Answers
What is Community Interpreting? - -A specialization of interpreting used in community-
based settings to facilitate access to community services such as medical, educational, and
social services.
You support equal access to community services by facilitating communication and
understanding.
-Define medical interpreting: - -Interpreting for patients, their family and a healthcare
provider.
-What is the purpose of interpreting? - -To facilitate communication between parties who
do not share a common language.
-Describe Communicative Autonomy: - -The capacity of each party in an encounter to be
responsible for and in control of his/her own communication.
-Which area of community interpreting has become the most professionalized? - -Medical
-List the minimum requirements as an interpreter: - -- Be 18 years old
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be proficient in two languages
- Hold a certificate for professional interpreter training (at least 40 hrs)
-Difference between certificate and certification: - -Certification is the process.
Certificate is the official document showing completion of the process.
-Which kinds of organizations develop recognized certification programs for interpreters?
- -Professional organizations or government entities.
-Name the organizations that provide national medical interpreter certification programs:
- -CCHI- Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
NBCMI- National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters
-What is a code of ethics? - -A set of principles or values that govern the conduct of
members of a profession while they are engaged in the encounter of that profession.
The "rules" that show us what we should do.
, -What are standards of practice? - -A set of guidelines that show us "the how" to perform
in a profession. (Guidelines to code of ethics)
-List some differences between ethics and standards of practice: - -Ethics are the rule,
Standards of Practice are the guidelines.
Ethics is more strict, Standards of Practice is more flexible.
Ethics is what we should do, Standards of Practice are how we do it.
-What does NCIHC stand for and when did they publish the National Code of Ethics for
Interpreters in Health Care? - -NCIHC - National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
Published in 2004.
-Name the nine principles in the NCIHC code of ethics with one Standard of Practice each: -
-1. Confidentiality
- The interpreter protects written patient information in his or her possession.
2. Respect
- The interpreter promotes patient autonomy.
3. Accuracy
- The interpreter maintains transparency.
4. Professionalism
- The interpreter is prepared for all assignments.
5. Impartiality
- The interpreter does not allow personal judgments or cultural values to influence
objectivity.
6. Cultural Awareness
- The interpreter alerts all parties to any significant cultural misunderstanding that arises.
7. Role Boundaries
- The interpreter limits personal involvement with all parties during the interpreting
assignment.
8. Advocacy
- The interpreter may speak out to protect an individual from serious harm.
9. Professional Development
- The interpreter seeks feedback to improve his/her performance.
