Policies for Interpreters
 
This is intended to provide interpreters in private practice an
introduction to working as independent contractors through the Vermont
Interpreter Referral Service.
Business Hours
The Vermont Interpreter Referral Service VIRS is open from 8:30a.m.—4:30p.m.
Monday through Friday. If we are out of the office during business
hours, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon
as possible.
The toll-free number is 1-800-639-1519. The number in the Brattleboro
calling area is 802-254-3920. The email address is VIRS@sover.net.
Requesting an Interpreter
When a request is made, the following information is requested:
- name of the person calling, phone number and agency
- date, time and address of the assignment
- on-going, one-time or emergency assignment
- type of situation
- name(s) of preferred interpreter(s)
- name of Deaf consumers involved and preferred mode of communication,
if known
- number of participants (Deaf and hearing)
- name, address, and phone number of the person responsible for
payment (VIRS needs this information in order to bill for the
"fee for service").
- name of speaker/presenter and a phone number
The following information will be communicated directly between
the interpreter and the hiring individuals:
- fees and policies of the interpreter;
- any special equipment to be used (e.g. microphones, audio/visual
equipment, assistive listening devices);
- copies of speeches, presentations, etc.
If no interpreter is available for a request, the VIRS staff will
call the requester as soon as possible before the date of the assignment.
Court/Legal Requests
Court requests will be referred first to legally certified interpreters
in private-practice on a case by case basis and according to client
preference, certification, continuity, availability and proximity.
When referring interpreters to legal settings, the VIRS policy
is for the interpreter to agree to take on the case and provide
on-going services throughout the life of the case. VIRS will facilitate
this by assisting the interpreter in securing substitute interpreters
as needed for regular assignments. VIRS will also encourage the
court to make a commitment to work with the same interpreter and
to be flexible in determining dates and times.
Assignment of Jobs
- Assignment of jobs is made on an equitable basis among interpreters.
Consideration is given to the following factors:
- certification level and any special training or experience
- consumer preference (must be on the Interpreter Referral List)
- first preference will be given, when possible with all other
factors considered, to interpreters in private practice who are
primarily self-employed as professional interpreters rather than
to persons who are employed by state agencies and work only occasionally.
- proximity of interpreters
- availability of interpreters
- continuity (on-going assignments)
Eligibility for Job Referrals
The Interpreter Referral
List consists of Nationally Certified Interpreters. Nationally
Certified Interpreters must submit a copy of their most current
RID certificate. VIRS will contact the Deaf consumer directly to
determine if they will work with a specific certified interpreter
who is either new to the area or has not yet interpreted for the
Deaf person.
Pre-certified Interpreters who meet the following criteria will
be placed on the Referral List and will be referred to when: 1)
the assignment does not require a Nationally Certified Interpreter;
and 2) there is no Nationally Certified Interpreter available for
the assignment; and 3) the Deaf person agrees to work with this
specific interpreter.
- must have graduated from an interpreter training program and
have at least two years of experience. (Please submit a resume
and school transcript.)
OR
- must have passed a state screening and have at least two years
of experience (Please submit a copy of your state screening letter.)
AND
- Pre-certified interpreters must also submit three letters of
recommendation, two from Deaf individuals and one from a certified
interpreter.
- Pre-certified interpreters must also pass the national written
interpreting test under RID within one year of being placed on
the referral list or at least must show evidence of having taken
the test within the year and every six months thereafter until
passed. The interpreter must pass the performance test within
five years of passing the written test. These interpreters must
also complete four continuing education credits (40 hours of pre-approved
workshops/trainings) within the two years in order to continue
on the referral list. A letter or statement from the workshop
organizers must be signed and submitted to the VIRS office documenting
the hours.
- Pre-certified interpreters must come to the VIRS office for an interview and orientation.
All interpreters must sign a liability release form.
Priority of Assignments
Although one of the goals of VIRS is to successfully fill all interpreting
requests, there are factors which make it necessary for priority
to be given in the filling of assignments. Generally interpreting
requests will be filled based on first come, first served priority
with the following order followed (this relates to those requests
which arrive at the same time to the Service):
- emergency requests (life or quality of life in danger)
- problematic assignments such as assignments previously canceled
due to lack of interpreter availability
- on-going requests
- all other requests
The VIRS staff will encourage requesters to reschedule an assignment
whenever possible when no Nationally Certified Interpreter is available.
Communication with the VIRS Staff.
Interpreters are responsible for keeping personal information such
as current phone number, address, availability, as well as professional
credentials up-to-date with the VIRS staff.
Interpreters are encouraged to maintain regular contact with the
VIRS staff via phone calls, E-mail and answering machines in order
to facilitate the assignment of jobs.
For the purposes of documentation of need, emergency requests that
take place outside of normal business hours should be reported to
the VIRS staff.
Fee Schedule and Policies
Interpreters who receive job assignments from VIRS will be paid
by the hiring organizations, businesses, agencies, etc. and will
negotiate and be responsible for all such transactions.
Interpreters who receive assignments which will be paid by the
Yolande Henry Community Fund will bill according to their regular
interpreting rates, but for Certified interpreters, not to exceed
$35 dollars per hour and for pre-certified, not to exceed $25 dollars
per hour. Please notify VIRS in advance when your fees increase.
Interpreters who receive assignments which will be paid by the
Community Fund must write Community Fund Account on their bills.
This will assist the business office in accurately recording the
payment.
Interpreters paid directly by consumers other than VIRS are encouraged
to negotiate reasonable fees, travel reimbursement and cancellation
policies with the paying consumer prior to the assignment.
Interpreters are strongly encouraged to confirm the billing information
and secure authorization for payment prior to accepting an assignment.
If a consumer fails to reimburse an interpreter for an assignment
referred by VIRS, and the interpreter has attempted to resolve this
matter, VIRS will provide advocacy to the interpreter to assist
in the reimbursement for services.
Professional Standards and Responsibilities of Interpreters
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Ethics exists
to protect and guide the interpreter and consumers. There is an
Agreement/Release form which all interpreters must sign, stating
that they will abide by the Code of Ethics as established by RID,
Inc.
All interpreters receiving interpreter assignments through VIRS
are encouraged to be actively involved with professional interpreter
organizations.
Job Cancellations/Changes in the Assignment
By Consumer: Consumers will negotiate cancellation policy compensation
with interpreters at the time the assignment is accepted by the
interpreter. The consumer should cancel directly with the interpreter
as well as inform the interpreter of any changes in the assignment.
When a job that is being paid via the Community Fund is canceled,
the VIRS staff will notify the interpreter immediately. The interpreter
and the VIRS staff will negotiate the cancellation policy at the
time the assignment is accepted.
If an interpreter must cancel acceptance of an assignment s/he
is responsible for finding a replacement. In the event of illness
or emergency, the interpreter may contact VIRS which will also try
to find a replacement.
If an interpreter does not show up for an assignment after being
confirmed, the interpreter is responsible to pay the finder’s
fee. (The interpreter must check with VIRS to determine if the fee
has already been paid and therefore they must reimburse the requester,
or if the payment would go to VIRS directly.)
VIRS's Responsibility to Interpreters and Consumers
Obtain and relay complete and accurate information for all interpreting
assignments.
Strive to use the appropriate interpreter in every situation:
- A reasonable effort will be made to contact the requested interpreter
first. If the requested interpreter is unavailable or cannot be
contacted, the VIRS staff will notify the consumer in order to
determine if s/he would prefer to reschedule rather than accept
another interpreter. With the consumer's consent, another interpreter
will be contacted according to certification, skill, and availability.
Refer interpreters in an equitable fashion, based on consumer preference,
certification, proximity and availability.
VIRS will compensate for the income lost, if an error on the part
of the VIRS results in the following:
- inaccurate information provided to the interpreter
- changes in assignment not reported to the interpreter
- too many interpreters are referred to one job, and the error
results in the interpreter not being reimbursed for services.
Provide education and guidelines for the appropriate use of interpreters
and the Interpreter Service.
Advocate for the rights of Deaf/Hard of Hearing persons regarding
the provision of interpreters by legally mandated agencies.
VIRS seeks input from professional organizations of interpreters
for the Deaf, from Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-blind organizations
to improve the interpreter service, upgrade interpreting skills
and promote the interpreter profession.
Grievance Procedure
Consumers of interpreter services are encouraged to provide direct
feedback to the interpreters involved, to the VIRS staff and/or
Board or to the RID, Inc. Grievance Board as appropriate. |
