CCHI's Job Task Analysis Study to Define the Role of the Healthcare Interpreter in the U.S

WASHINGTON - May 16, 2016 - PRLog -- The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) launches the 2nd National Job Task Analysis Study of Healthcare Interpreters today, on May 16, 2016. A Job Task Analysis (JTA) survey is a tool to identify the current knowledge, skills and abilities needed to competently perform the job of an interpreter in any U.S. healthcare setting and in any interpreting modality. This process is a requirement of the standards and policies for competency assessment established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which accredits CCHI's healthcare interpreter certification program.

CCHI has contracted with Castle Worldwide, an accomplished certification and licensure testing company, to conduct the JTA Study. Dr. James Henderson, Castle's Executive Vice-President and Senior Psychometrician, oversees the project.

The survey is open to all healthcare interpreters in the U.S. and is available online at https://www.research.net/r/CCHI_Survey.

Over 25 million Americans are limited English proficient. Communication between these individuals and their healthcare providers is impossible without a competent interpreter. Interpreting requires mastery of both working languages, comprehensive knowledge of relevant terminology and ethical principles, and unique professional skills, which take years to acquire and continuing education to maintain. CCHI's certification exams are valid tools to assess the healthcare interpreter's competence.

A Job Task Analysis Study is the cornerstone of developing and maintaining an effective competency-based certification program. It is a tool to define a healthcare interpreter profession as it exists today, thoroughly, accurately, and without any bias. CCHI conducted its first national JTA Study of healthcare interpreters in 2010, which was completed by nearly 2,500 interpreters, trainers and supervisors/managers.

Six years have passed. The healthcare industry and interpreting profession have witnessed some changes. "It is crucial that we, as a national professional certification program, stay abreast of the changes and ensure that our certification exams' content remains current and relevant," stated Alejandro Maldonado, Chair of CCHI, a Certified Healthcare Interpreter™ himself.

To develop the JTA survey, CCHI Commissioners carefully selected a national group of 15 healthcare interpreter subject matter experts, representing the depth and breadth of the interpreting profession. The Commissioners are also running the first in the industry crowdfunding campaign to support this project. "Now is the time for all healthcare interpreters to weigh in and share their understanding of the profession," added Maldonado.
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The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) is a U.S.-based non-profit 501(c)6 corporation founded in 2009 by interpreters, for interpreters and the public good. CCHI's mission is to administer and develop a national valid, credible, and vendor-neutral certification program in the U.S. to ensure the competency of healthcare interpreters and to improve access and quality of care for patients with limited English proficiency and their families. CCHI Commissioners are volunteers who represent different stakeholder groups of the healthcare interpreting industry. www.cchicertification.org

Castle Worldwide is an accomplished certification and licensure testing company with over 28 years of experience. Its expert team of testing professionals understands what it takes to deliver a quality testing program. Headquartered close to the prominent Research Triangle Park, near Raleigh, North Carolina, Castle offers close to 1,000 test center locations in more than 500 cities in 70 countries to provide Internet-based and paper and pencil testing. www.castleworldwide.com