How does One Voice recruit and screen interpreters/translators?
We maintain relationships with immigrant and refugee communities, professional interpreter organizations, and training programs in Atlanta and other cities and counties in Georgia. Although it is unrealistic to expect all interpreters to have a college degree, they are screened for proficiency in the languages they will be interpreting. While few interpreters have degrees in interpreting, they have received some form of professional training. The longer the training, the better, though 40 hours is common for basic training programs. Their training consist of classes such as the interpreter role, ethics, modes, basic conversation skills, handling the flow of the session, intervening, and medical terminology, and involves skill building and practice.

What languages can One Voice provide and how qualified are the interpreters who use those languages?
We specialize in a varied range of key common languages such as Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin) Keren, Portuguese, Creole, etc, but also have access to specific language or group of languages, such as Asian languages, Arabic, “hard to find” languages, or sign languages. Once we get the request for a Medical interpreter from a hospital, clinic or medical facility, we search in our data base of 13000 interpreters and translators the right person and fit for the appointment. Check our complete List of Languages

What is the process of scheduling a medical interpreter or translator and how much does it cost? Setting up an appointment is EASY. Once we establish our service agreement (most hospitals have a basic vendor agreement ready) and the encrypted connection flow (email, phone extension and online booking tool), your medical staff can reliably schedule a Medical interpreter or request a medical document to be translated. Our email encryption keeps sensitive data—such as Full name, date of birth, medical information and other HIPAA data—safe and secured. Once the interpreter or translator is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with his/her info and our scheduling director with send you reminders. One Voice Medical Interpreters has created a ticket system that helps keep track of every appointment and minimizes confusion and the risk of having an appointment without coverage. Once the appointment or assignment is complete, we will send your accounting team an invoice of the prior weekly or bi-weekly tickets. Please connect with one of our languages specialists to find out more about our rates and different language tiers. You can send us an e-mail to accounting@OneVoiceMedical.com

How does One Voice assess its interpreters’ qualifications?
Unlike in the legal interpreting field, true certification programs for medical interpreters are rare. The situation varies by state, language, and company, but certification opportunities and requirements will likely increase over the next few years. In addition to the National certifications available for Medical interpreters in Georgia, One Voice has an internal hiring system available only to its own interpreters. The National Association of the Deaf and the Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) have several special certificates for particular venues. Our interpreters are held accountable against the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care's (NCIHC) National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care. One Voice has also produced its own codes such as confidentiality code, dress code, presession code. etc. An interpreter who has gone through any formal training should be aware of the principles contained in these codes of ethics.

Hiring an in-house Interpreter vs hiring One Voice
INTERPRETERS. Medical Interpreters are passionate for what they do. They have invested time, money and resource to get trained and certified. Most of them enjoy being in charge of their schedule and availability. Hiring an inhouse interpreter is basically hiring an employee which will increase the costs of your operations and Professional Liability Insurance. From the Interpreter's viewpoint, working for an agency is considered a better option because they often get 30% more in pay per hour and will give them freedom when it comes to their availability.

HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.
Client’s language needs involves gathering information and investigating and harnessing resources. It also involves a deal of investment in training, compliance and specialization. Our services cover all of this! As a partner, One Voice undertake a self-assessment of the languages spoken in the office and in the community. Self-assessment tools are available at no cost for you.

We will help you determine how to respond to your LEP clients, not only when clients visit your facilities but also when individuals call on the telephone (both during and after normal business hours).

Are there monthly minimums or is a monthly fee credited towards usage?
There are no monthly minimums fees. You pay as you use our services. We will only require a signed agreement with clients whose the demand reaches up to at least 100 appointments hours or assignments per month. Cancellation policies. As a serious agency, we charge for same-day cancellations, to pay the interpreter whose time has been reserved.

Does One Voice specialize in any particular industry?
Yes! We are proud to say that we are the ONLY interpretation and translation agency in Georgia that solely focus on Healthcare Translation and Interpretation Services. Our training programs are rich in knowledge of specialized medical terminology. While many agencies offer "every type" of translation services, we know how important is to attend the needs of a niche industry. Our goal is to create more awareness of the immediate and future need for qualified and certified Medical interpreters with vast knowledge and experience in the Medical interpretation. We take Healthcare seriously. Understanding the message in a clear and safe way is important as healthcare itself.

How often do I need a Medical Interpreter or Translator?
As long as a LEP requires it. Hospitals, health plans, clinics, nursing homes, physicians and other providers must offer “qualified interpreters” . On May 13, 2016 the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) formally adopted final changes to section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act ACA. The new rules are slated to take effect on July 18, 2016 and will be codified as 45 CFR part 92. These changes are sweeping in scope as they apply to “every [federal] health program or activity, any part of which receives Federal financial assistance.” Read more

What are One Voice's competitive advantages?

• Responsiveness. Although some Hospitals have a preferred vendor, we are a great second option. We are available 24/7
• Experience. Our One Voice Family of administrative officers have a combined 20+ years of experience in the Translation and Interpretation industry.
• High quality and Professional Interpreters with their accreditation in the needed field. We take seriously Medical Terminology and specialize our interpreters in the right terminology for each assignment.
• Competitive Rates. We charge 10-20% less than a conventional interpreting agency that does "every type" of translation and interpretation services.
• Connect times for telephonic interpreter services. Our Telephone interpreters are available 24/7 for outside hours interpretation.
• Turnaround Times. We provide quick quotes on any document translation project or transcription. Our qualified translators will provide accurate translations in 80+ languages with quick turnaround times. We can transcribe files from multiple sources.
• Community. We are committed to support the community we are part of. That's why we provide resources and training to nonprofit organizations such as WellRefugee Center, Latino Community Fund Georgia, Healthcare GA and Ser Familia.