For Interpreters
Becoming a LanguageBank Interpreter
By becoming a LanguageBank Interpreter, you will become part of the only state-wide language interpretation service in New Hampshire. You will also enjoy a range of other benefits that will equip you in becoming a professional interpreter, and link you to the interpretation community and new professional opportunities in New Hampshire, and throughout the region.
Contact us and let us know who you are, what language(s) you speak, your interpretation experience (experience is not necessary), and other information about you and your goals. You may also call us directly at 603-410-6183.
Language Bank screens all new Interpreters for their language abilities in both English and their “target” language. A Driving Record Check and a Criminal Record Check is run on all new interpreters.
General Training Requirements
New hire training includes instruction on HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), Confidentiality and other employment related issues.
Although New Hampshire does not yet have a state certification program for interpreters, Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center offers introductory courses in medical and legal interpretation. Language Bank gives interpreters who have completed these trainings “preferred status” when assigning appointments.
Medical Interpretation
The LanguageBank, in cooperation with Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center, offers a 54-hour training to bilingual individuals wishing to become Medical Interpreters. The curriculum is comprised of elements including triadic communication, standards of practice, medical terminology, and role playing consecutive interpreting techniques.
When this 54-hour training is completed, the interpreter receives a certificate of completion and is given “preferred status” when medical assignments are made. New Hampshire does not currently have an interpreter certification process for medical interpretation, but you can stay informed about developments in this area through the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care.
Legal Interpretation
The Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center offers a 72-hour introductory course to assist interpreters to meet the court and legal needs of the NH State Judicial System. The program includes information about how an interpreter can work effectively in the Legal System and understand court procedures.
When this 72-hour training is completed, the interpreter receives a certificate of completion and is given “preferred status” when legal interpretation assignments are made.
The New Hampshire State Court System recently became a member of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Court Interpreter Consortium Program and will soon be offering testing for interpreters in the following languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. Persons who are able to pass this very comprehensive test will be reimbursed at a higher rate in legal settings to acknowledge their superior language proficiency.
Ongoing Support Services
LanguageBank offers continuing education courses free to our staff interpreters to assist interpreters in meeting their LanguageBank CEU requirements. Interpreters can also apply to LanguageBank to have other trainings authorized to meet this requirement.
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