NCIHC – National Council on Interpreting in Health Care

Features

The NCIHC is a multidisciplinary organization based in the United States whose mission is to promote culturally competent professional health care interpreting as a
means to support equal access to health care for individuals with limited English proficiency.
Mission
The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care is a multidisciplinary organization based in the United States whose mission is to promote culturally competent professional health care interpreting as a means to support equal access to health care for individuals with limited English proficiency.
Goals
The NCIHC started as an informal working group in 1994 and met yearly until it was formally established in 1998. The group is composed of leaders from around the country who work as medical interpreters, interpreter service coordinators and trainers, clinicians, policymakers, advocates and researchers
Our goals include:
Establishing a framework that promotes culturally competent health care interpreting,including standards for the provision of interpreter services in health care
settings and a code of ethics for interpreters in health care Developing and monitoring policies, research, and model practices. Sponsoring a national dialogue of diverse voices and interests on related issues. Collecting, disseminating and acting as a clearinghouse on programs and policies to improve language access to health care for limited English proficient (LEP) patients.

Benefits

- NCIHC Listserv subscription
- NCIHC Bulletin Boards subscription
- The bimonthly NCIHC Newsletter
- Participation in NCIHC Open Calls
- Voting rights in Board elections
- The ability to serve on the Council as a committee or board member
- The opportunity to attend and/or present at the NCIHC Annual Membership Meeting
- The chance to be part of historic events that help to establish the profession, such as the development of a national Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for
interpreters in health care as well as upcoming projects, such as the development of national standards for interpreter training and efforts toward a national certification program for health care interpreters.
- Linkage to national advocacy efforts and movements