A Question of Ethics or Let the Boat Sink
Presenter: Sean Normansell, CMI-Spanish
An American Sign Language interpreter will be on screen interpreting throughout the webinar.
Cost: $15 CHIA Members / $25 Non-Members
CEUs: This presentation was approved for 1 hour of continuing education by both CCHI and NBCMI when it was presented at TAHIT's Annual conference which took place in Austin, TX on September 8 and 9, 2017. (For NBCMI, 1 hour = 0.1 continuing education units.)
This is a webinar created for interpreters and will focus on the Healthcare Interpreter Code of Ethics by examining difficult situations and role plays and the appropriate methods on how to deal with said situations.
Overview: Facing a language barrier, it is of vital importance to ensure transparent communication between provider and LEP. This activity will explore the risks of Ad-Hoc interpretation vs. the benefits gained by a qualified (certified) medical interpreter. Through descriptions of real interpreting encounters, the presenter will discuss the application of the code of ethics and how this practice can both positively and negatively affect patient outcomes based on the interpreter’s decisions. Ours is a profession in which the ideal level of performance is akin to invisibility or imperceptibility. Medical interpreters must employ these recognized standards and practices, while at the same time remaining true to their code of ethics as they facilitate transparent communication.
Learning Objectives
Consider options to employ when faced with a problematic situation while remaining true to the code of ethics.
Discuss ways to properly control the flow of conversation when obstacles present.
Review how to best to advocate for the LEP patient while remaining within one's role.
Sean M. Normansell was born in Houston, Texas. A native English speaker, he studied Spanish and French in High School. Post graduation saw him working in the construction industry, followed by over fifteen years of ad hoc interpretation and bilingual positions ranging from construction, landscaping, lawn maintenance and irrigation to debt collections management and crew coordination for a foundation leveling contractor. Moving to Georgia in 2007, Sean elected to seek work as an independent Spanish interpreter after learning about the large non-English speaking population in the Atlanta area. He completed the 40 hours Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter training, the required Court Interpretation Skills Workshop offered by the Georgia Commission on Interpreters, and a 40-hour Legal Interpreter training course at Georgia State. Owning and operating his own business as a subcontractor accepting assignments from twelve different companies located in the Atlanta area and around the country allowed Sean to gain extensive hands-on experience in the legal, medical, & social services interpretation fields. Sean has traveled to Spain and worked as an escort interpreter in Costa Rica on multiple occasions. Sean has worked as a staff interpreter at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta and more recently for Seton Family of Hospitals in Austin, TX.
