Health Care Interpreter Resources, Events, Policy, and Laws

Resources

Preferred Language Cards

Preferred Language Card Templates create business-size cards in Oregon's most frequently used languages that people with limited English proficiency (LEP) can carry in their wallets and show to their health care providers. Preferred Language Cards Printing Instructions and How to use the Preferred Language Cards (Internal Partners); Preferred Language Cards (External Partners).

• Communication and Accommodation Card (Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing)
• Arabic
• Bosnian
• Burmese
• Cambodian
• Cantonese
• Chinese - Traditional
• Chuukese
• Farsi
• French
• German
• Japanese 
• Korean
• Laotian
• Mandarin
• Marshallese
• Oromo
• Pohnpeian
• Romanian
• Russian
• Somali
• Spanish
• Swahili
• Thai
• Ukrainian
• Vietnamese

The following links are provided for informational purposes only. The State of Oregon does not endorse them or make any claims as to their accuracy.

National Organizations

• International Medical Interpreters Association
• National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
• The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)
• The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
• American Translators Association
• Federation of Interpreters and Translators
• Interpreter Associations in other states

HCI Standards and Code of Ethics

• National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care
• National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care
• New standards for patient-centered communication
• Roadmap for Hospitals on Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient and Family-Centered Care

Other Health Care Interpretation Resources and Organizations

• Resources for Mental Health Interpreting
• Hablamos Juntos
• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Interpreters and Translators
• Oregon Health Care Interpreters Association (OHCIA) 
• The Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI) 
• Bridging the Gap
• California Healthcare Interpreting Association
• Oregon Qualification and Certification for Sign Language Interpreters

Laws

Federal Civil Rights Law

Oregon's health care interpreter law is based on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI says that no one may be left out of any program or activity that gets federal funding because of their national origin.

Visit the Office for Civil Rights for more information on how to be sure that access is provided to people who can not speak English well.

Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 413.550

Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) 413.550 requires the State of Oregon to establish a program to certify health care interpreters who serve persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) in medical settings. The intent is to assure that persons with LEP get health care services that are based on accurate and complete information. Within the context of this law, health care is defined as "medical, surgical or hospital care recognized by state law, including mental health care."  

Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 333-002

Department of Justice

Analysis on Limited English Proficiency Translation and Interpretation Requirements 

Do you have a Civil Rights Complaint or concern regarding HCI services?

Coordinated Care Organizations and Health Care Interpreters

SB 1580 is the legislation which establishes Oregon's Coordinated Care Organizations. Administrative rules for Oregon Revised Statues 410-141-3220 establish the standards for CCOs related to cultural and linguistically accessible care and the use of qualified or certified health care interpreters.

Find out more about Coordinated Care Organizations in Oregon.​