Language Services

The Language Access Department

NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem is deeply committed to communicating health care matters and providing care in the language that our patients are most comfortable with. As a result, we have different ways to communicate with Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients using interpretation services:

• Telephonic (over- the-phone) interpreter [using a dual handset device, connect to a qualified medical interpreterⁱ over the phone to help the clinician and LEP patient communicate and understand each other]
• In-person (face-to-face or proximal) interpreter [Assign a qualified medical interpreter to help the clinician and LEP patient communicate and understand each other]
• In-person sign language interpreter for deaf and/or hard of hearing patients [Assign a qualified medical interpreter to help the clinician and LEP patient communicate and understand each other]
• Video remote interpreter (VRI) for deaf and/or hard of hearing patients (American sign language) and to communicate in select foreign languages [Using a computer and accessing through a web-based portal, connect to a qualified medical interpreter to help the clinician and LEP patient communicate and understand each other]

Qualified Medical Interpreters

A qualified interpreter is an individual who attended a minimum of 40 hours of interpreter skills training and passed a validated interpreter skills test/national certification exam in medical interpreting; or- in lieu of training – has a documented over 100 hours of medical interpreting and passed an interpreter skills test or national certification exam in medical interpreting.

How To Access Services

Most facilities use telephonic interpretation services as the primary method to communicate with LEP patients. Dual hand set phones are available at key locations throughout facilities, and instructions on connecting with an interpreter over-the-phone are clearly displayed on or near the phone.

Services:

Telephonic Services (over-the-phone) – CyraCom
In-Person (face-to-face interpreting services)
American Sign Language Institute (ASLI)