CCHI Certification and Credentials
Sep 22, 2010
A credential is something that shows a person has attained a specific goal or objective. CCHI is offering two different types of credentials, a certification and a certificate of accomplishment.
Certification provides a specific type of credential – one that attests that a person has exhibited the minimum knowledge or skills needed to practice in a particular field. In order to offer certification, a program and its examination(s) must cover the body of knowledge required to practice in a given field.
Based on CCHI’s job task analysis for healthcare interpreters, the body of knowledge has been divided into two areas:
basic knowledge of healthcare interpreting; and
oral performance of interpreting knowledge, skills and abilities includes a demonstration of interpreting skills in both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, sight translation and translation.
CCHI currently offers two credentials:
Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) – A CHI has been tested on the most critical knowledge, skills and abilities required of a healthcare interpreter. A CHI must first complete the AHI examination plus an oral performance examination testing the CHI’s interpreting skills and abilities in consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, sight translation and translation. The CHI credential is currently only available for Spanish interpreters.
Associate Healthcare Interpreter (AHI) – An AHI has been tested on only a part of the knowledge, skills and abilities that are required of a healthcare interpreter. Since the AHI examination covers only part of the knowledge, skills and abilities required of healthcare interpreters and does not test an individual’s actual interpreting skills and abilities, a certification is not awarded to those who pass this test. Rather, the AHI credential (a certificate indicating that the individual has passed the first step in becoming a CHI and has shown that he/she has the knowledge required of a certified health care interpreter) is available for all interpreters who interpret in a language other than Spanish. An AHI has been tested on the most critical knowledge related to managing an interpreting encounter; healthcare terminology; interacting with other healthcare professionals; preparing for an interpreting encounter; and cultural responsiveness required of a healthcare interpreter but is not tested on the skills and abilities of interpreting . CCHI offers an oral performance exam only in Spanish at this time. AHI is a credential but it is not equivalent to certification.
back to Blog Home Page
