Emergency Interpreter Services Program (EMIS) - Northeast Deaf & Hard of Hearing Inc.

Emergency Medical Interpreter Services (EMIS)

Providing on-call, emergency ASL-English interpretation services to 6 contracted hospitals in New Hampshire, including Catholic Medical Center, Cheshire Medical Center, Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital, Exeter Hospital, and Monadnock Community Hospital.

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Cheshire Medical Center / Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene

Girl with an injured arm being treated in an emergency room

Man with knee injury being seen by ER doctor

Features of the EMIS Program

Type of Service: The Emergency Medical Interpreter Service Program (EMIS) provides on-call American Sign Language interpreters for medical emergencies. Once the on-call interpreter is called for an emergency, she/he is expected to arrive within 60-90 minutes of being contacted (as stipulated by contract).

Hours of Operation: Interpreters are on-call 5:00PM-8:00AM on weekdays, and 24 hours (8:00AM-8:00AM) on weekends and nine federal holidays. The holidays included are New Year’s Day, MLK Jr.’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day (aka Washington’s Birthday), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Orientation and Training: Orientation and training on how to access and utilize the EMIS program is provided to hospital staff upon subscribing to EMIS.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Relations: Contracting for EMIS supports an organization that provides education to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community on health literacy. NDHHS provides medical related workshops to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community about various medical topics and performs outreach about the use and benefits of EMIS provided by your hospital.

Our Experience

Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (NDHHS) has extensive skill and knowledge in the area of interpreter referrals. One of the initial programs of the organization was the interpreter referral service, which began in July of 2001. Healthcare is one of the most consistent areas for which sign language interpreters are requested. The EMIS program began in 2008, building on seven years of NDHHS’ experience working with interpreters and various businesses. So far, the program has grown from one participating hospital to six.

Female nurse in blue scrubs smiling and greeting new patients

A nurse in a black top and stethoscope helping a young woman

EMIS Interpreters

Qualifications: Interpreters who have documented training, background, and experience in medical or mental health situations are given primary consideration for shifts within the EMIS Program. Interpreters’ qualifications are reviewed by the EMIS Coordinator and NDHHS referral staff, in conjunction with the Executive Director.

Documentation: All the interpreters currently referred through EMIS have the following documents on file:

· A copy of their New Hampshire Interpreter License

· Proof of interpreter certification by one of the national certifying groups for interpreters (RID, NAD, ACCI)

· An acknowledgement of having read/received the NDHHS Policy Manual

· Proof of liability insurance

· Proof of New Hampshire criminal background check

· Proof of a physical examination

· Proof of a TB test

If your hospital should have any additional requirements they would like interpreters to satisfy, they can be discussed and decided upon on a case-by-case basis.

Who Should Our Hospital Contact?

If you desire further information about the Emergency Medical Interpreter Services program, please contact:

EMIS Coordinator, referral@ndhhs.org

603-968-5891 (videophone)

603-224-1850 x250 (voice)

References from participating hospitals are available upon request.

Special Thanks

Thank you to the hospitals currently dedicated to providing communication access to their Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients through EMIS!

Doctor using a blood pressure cuff on a young man with his sleeve rolled up

Questions?

Reach out to us today, we will be happy to help!