CCHI is the answer to requests in the healthcare field for “one voice, one set of industry-formed and approved standards, and an assurance of competency through an accredited, professional certification program” for healthcare interpreters. 

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.