Objective: To maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and uphold the integrity of the healthcare interpreting profession.

Standards of Practice

7.1 Hold ourselves accountable for our professional performance.

Prompt: Am I open to feedback on my performance? Am I listening with grace? What steps am I taking to improve my interpreting practice?

Example: Interpreters have the moral fortitude to behave ethically even when it is challenging.

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7.2 Be honest and ethical in all professional practices.

Prompt: What do I need to consider to be sure I remain honest and transparent? Have I provided an accurate depiction of my skills, credentials, and experience?

Example: Interpreters accurately represent their level of expertise, and know the difference between a certificate of completion and certification.

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7.3 Transparently disclose any barriers to our ability to interpret.

Prompt: Am I being honest with myself and the participants by transparently asking for the support I need to interpret accurately and completely?

Example: Interpreters recognize when they are fatigued, and work with the participants to ensure they can maintain accuracy.

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7.4 Promote working conditions that support quality professional interpreting.

Prompt: How can I tactfully and effectively speak up about systemic changes to working conditions that will help me do my best interpreting?

Example: Interpreters respectfully bring up recommendations for system improvement to the appropriate manager or supervisor.

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7.5 Respect all the professionals with whom we work, including our interpreter colleagues in all fields and modalities.

Prompt: How can I create a collaborative environment that supports my colleagues?

Example: Interpreters are considerate of healthcare providers, patients, and interpreters they work with.

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7.6 Act in a manner that is befitting the dignity of the profession and appropriate to the setting.

Prompt: How should I behave so that others trust me and the interpreting profession as a whole?

Example: Interpreters remain calm and serene under pressure and control their feelings. Interpreters do not use their professional relationship with any of the participants in the encounter to establish a personal social relationship outside the encounter.

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7.7 Evaluate which documents are appropriate for sight translation and which are within our level of competence.

Prompt: Am I assessing the document and considering the patient's need to understand the written content before accepting or declining a sight translation request? Am I recognizing my limits in sight translation and conveying my concern about protecting the message's integrity in a way that builds trust with patients and providers?

Example: Interpreters carefully consider whether they have the right skills, and enough time, and whether the document is appropriate for sight translation.

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7.8 Be reliable, punctual, and prepared.

Prompt: How do I manage my time and technical setup to ensure reliability and professionalism in every assignment, regardless of location?

Example: Interpreters test remote equipment ahead of time or arrive early for onsite appointments and communicate promptly if delays occur.

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