Note that the Lattice starts from the bottom. Interpreters build experience and competencies to move to the top. It may be possible to enter the Lattice at various points if preceding required experiences and qualifications are in place.
Click on any part of the Lattice to learn about the requirements for that level and suggested resources for developing competency in healthcare interpreting.
Download Using the Healthcare Interpreting Career Lattice for worksheets you can use to document your personal progress through the Lattice.
Copyright 2015-2016 CATIE Center St. Catherine University
About the Lattice
The Healthcare Interpreting Career Lattice is an important step towards improving healthcare interpreting. It provides an outline of what is needed to enter this specialty, and identifies specific steps towards developing competency.
What is a Career Lattice?
Shows how to enter or advance in a profession.
Helps teachers prepare students.
Helps practitioners identify how to build competency.
Why was this Healthcare Interpreting Career Lattice developed?
Deaf patients at risk.
Lack of national regulation or certificates for ASL healthcare interpreters.
The Healthcare Interpreting Career Lattice is designed to show:
Competencies needed for healthcare interpreting.
How much time could be needed to develop competencies.
That entry to the specialty requires a BA/BS and certification.
Educators, interpreters and hiring agencies necessary qualifications for healthcare interpreting.
Who can benefit from the Lattice?
Deaf and hearing interpreters who want to work in healthcare settings.
Deaf and hearing interpreter educators.
People who want to become healthcare interpreters.
Complete additional readings on specialty focus Observe specialty focus interpreting Attend workshops and training on specialty focus Participate in a healthcare interpreting fellowship
Once you have completed this additional preparation, you are ready to move on to working as:
Spoiler title
This is a viable entry point for Deaf or hearing interpreters who have satisfied the requirements for Novice Healthcare Interpreter and Intermediate Healthcare Interpreter and have:
Documented 200 additional hours of healthcare interpreting.
100 of the above may have a specialty focus (e.g. cardiology, mental health, ob-gyn, oncology, video remote, etc.).
Documented 100 additional hours of supervised healthcare interpreting.
May be qualified to undertake the following types of assignments:
Crisis situations (mental health, emergency room)
Chronic disease and pain management
Pre-op, post-op, urgent and emergency care
Mental health care
Mentor newer interpreters in healthcare interpreting
Supervise Novice and Intermediate Healthcare Interpreters
Copyright 2015, CATIE Center St. Catherine University
Specialist Ongoing Education
Spoiler title
This is a viable entry point for Deaf or hearing interpreters who have satisfied the requirements for Novice Healthcare Interpreter and Intermediate Healthcare Interpreter and have:
Documented 200 additional hours of healthcare interpreting.
100 of the above may have a specialty focus (e.g. cardiology, mental health, ob-gyn, oncology, video remote, etc.).
Documented supervision of 100 of the additional hours of healthcare interpreting above.
May be qualified to undertake the following types of assignments:
Crisis situations (mental health, emergency room)
Chronic disease and pain management
Pre-op, post-op, urgent and emergency care
Mental health care
Mentor newer interpreters in healthcare interpreting
Supervise Novice and Intermediate Healthcare Interpreters
Spoiler title
Complete mentorship or fellowship supervisor training
Healthcare Interpreting Fellowship
You might also be interested in completing a masters degree program, such as
Copyright 2015, CATIE Center St. Catherine University
About Body Language
Body Language is an online program presenting various body and healthcare systems and procedures in English and ASL.
The grant funding supporting these courses ended September 30, 2016.
You can still access the archived course materials for self-study here.
Body Language contents
Intro to Healthcare Discourse
Common questions asked during the health history and physical interview
How different cultural perspectives and life experiences may affect a patient’s perspective of the healthcare system
Cardio Workout
Blood pressure, heart attacks, angioplasty, aneurysm and atrial fibrillation
No More Digestive Distress
The digestive system, acid reflux and the colonoscopy procedure
It’s All in the Lungs
How the lungs work, asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer
Meat on Your Bones
Biceps and triceps, tendons and ligaments, how the knees work, arthritis, and hip replacement surgery
Dealing with Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, managing diabetes, and types of diabetes
How it works
For every topic, you:
Read about the topic in English.
Record yourself explaining the topic in ASL.
Analyze your explanation. Can you use more classifiers or improve your use of space?
Watch ASL explanations of the topic. Focus on classifier usage and use of space.
Record yourself explaining the topic in ASL again.
Write about your work.
Although this new combined module doesn’t allow posting work or interacting with other users, you can still follow the steps and document your work on your own computer.
We are no longer providing CEUs for Body Language. To explore CEU credit options contact an RID-approved CMP sponsor.
