We encourage all CulturaLink clients to begin their relationship with us, when possible, with a proper assessment and consulting period prior to the implementation of tactical services, like training, interpretation or translation. The most successful engagements involve holistic assessment and planning. That said, our services can be pursued à la carte and based on your most pressing needs.

Yes! CulturaLink interpreters can provide services in a variety of formats, including onsite interpretation at your hospital or clinic, phone interpretation or video interpretation using best-of-breed video conferencing tools. We endeavor to provide services in the way that is most effective and timely for clients and patients.

CulturaLink recruits interpreters and translators on an ongoing basis from a wide range of sources. We maintain close ongoing relationships with local immigrant and refugee communities, as well as with professional organizations and training programs.

All interpreters working with CulturaLink are screened for their language skills in both active languages as part of their interpreter training program. They are tested not only for language proficiency, but also for their ability to transfer information accurately between languages. Interpreters must complete a medical interpreter training program based on the code of conduct from the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare. For the deaf and hard of hearing community, only nationally certified ASL interpreters are solicited for assignments. Each interpreter must maintain their certification status with continuing education concentrated in the healthcare disciplines. All interpreters are subjected to ongoing periodic quality reviews.

All CulturaLink interpreters are trained in the art of interpreting. Training is provided on the basics of medical interpreting (the role of the interpreter, ethics, basic conversation skills), medical terminology and advanced medical interpreting. Courses also include information on HIPPA, blood-borne pathogens and how to work in a healthcare setting.

CulturaLink offers ongoing education for all its interpreters. Continuing education programs include issues management based on experience of our interpreters in the field, change environment, management of difficult situations, population demographic and culture changes, regulatory updates, etc. Through these education programs, CulturaLink ensures a continued quality improvement of its services by investing in training and providing career paths to its interpreters.

CulturaLink oversees and guides its clients to implement change and be ready to work with our agency. CulturaLink will provide orientation and training for staff to facilitate services implementation.

CulturaLink will not charge if the cancellation is received more than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment. Notices received within 24 hours will be billed at a two hour minimum.

CulturaLink will provide monthly reports including appointment dates, languages encountered, encounter type, name of the interpreter, start and end times and any additional comment or relevant note for quality improvement interests.

CulturaLink has a system in place with tracking based on signed encounter forms to provide accurate and timely billing.

Sharing and looking for successful experiences is a cornerstone of CulturaLink’s mission. We share the insights, strategies and tools we develop with healthcare organizations and diverse community organizations to improve their process of addressing cultural differences.

CulturaLink will not charge if the cancellation is received more than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment. Notices received within 24 hours will be billed at a two hour minimum.

CulturaLink provides classroom-based training (at your facility or nearby location), as well as e-learning/online programs.