CCHI is the first organization certifying healthcare interpreters to receive NCCA accreditation. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited the CHI™-Spanish Certification affirming that the exam was developed in compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. This is an outstanding achievement, strong and clear recognition of CCHI’s leadership and great news for healthcare interpreters, healthcare providers and other stakeholders.  For example: 
   

• Healthcare providers utilizing CHI™-Spanish certified interpreters can be confident that they meet their Joint Commission accreditation requirements. 
   
  
• CHI™-Spanish certification holders can be proud that their certification now has the same professional status as nurses, respiratory therapists and other NCCA accredited programs. 
     

Founded in 2009, CCHI is a 501(c)(6) organization whose mission is to develop and direct a comprehensive credentialing program for healthcare interpreters, brings together representatives from national and regional non-profit interpreting associations, language companies, community-based organizations, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and advocates for LEP individuals.

According to the U.S. Census, more than 25 million people speak English less than very well and may be considered limited English proficient (LEP). Healthcare providers across the country are increasingly treating LEP patients. According to reports commissioned by the National Health Law Program:

• 80% of hospitals encounter LEP patients frequently
• 81% of internal medicine physicians treat LEP patients frequently
• 84% of federally qualified health centers (FQHC) provide clinical services daily to LEP patients.

With such a diversity of needs, how do healthcare providers and coordinators of interpreting services assess the competency of interpreters across a wide variety of languages in a valid, consistent and reliable way? Until now, the healthcare system has been relying on the only thing available—a system of interpreter referrals or dependency on the interpreting services vendors who have their own corporate training and suite of specific services.

CCHI is the only certification body created by interpreters, for interpreters and the public good, and has involved thousands of interpreters and users of interpreter services in defining their future and the credentials by which they will be known and respected.

CCHI takes a vendor-neutral approach to its interpreter certification programs. That means CCHI researches and builds healthcare interpreter certification programs based on data from the field regarding the knowledge, skills, performance and employers’ expectations, rather than looking at a training program or specific vendor’s service package.

Your Role in CCHI

The need for your leadership and commitment to the entire field of healthcare interpreting has never been greater.You and people like you – the most experienced and respected in healthcare, healthcare interpreting and healthcare certification – form the backbone and brainpower at CCHI.

We invite you to explore our website and join us because your talents and expertise are critical to ensuring we get it right and that we respect the certification concerns and best practices established by many in the healthcare credentials area that came before us.