Volunteer Requirements

Volunteer Requirements

Path to Volunteering

1

Language Proficiency Assessment

2

Oral Accreditation

3

Shadowing Experience

Path to Volunteering

1
2
3

Language Proficiency Assessment

Oral Accreditation

Shadowing Experience

1

Language Proficiency Assessment

All volunteers must prove to be proficient in their target language for interpretation. While there are a variety of different examinations available, we recommend the following three options:

  1. Parrot Language Test
    • The Parrot Language Test is a $35, 30-minute online exam administered at any time. This assessment is available only in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Volunteers must receive level ILR-2+ or above to pass our language requirement.
  2. Language Testing International Oral Proficiency Interview – computer (LTI OPIc)
    • The LTI OPIc exam is a $105, 30-minute online exam, which must be scheduled in advance unlike the Parrot Test. Over 120+ languages are available. Volunteers must receive level advance-mid (ACTFL scale) or above to pass our language requirement.

Contact anthonymoussa@vocalizecolumbus.org for more information regarding acceptable language proficiency assessments.

2

Official Accreditation

All volunteers must also have some sort of official accreditation in medical interpretation. While a variety of different assessments are available, we recommend the following three options:

  1. The Community Interpreter: Medical Focus
    • This comprehensive 40-hour workshop prepares multilingual individuals for medical interpretation, and can be taken either online or in person at The Ohio State University.The online version costs $390, and can be completed at one’s own pace within 6 months of purchase. The in-person workshop at OSU costs $375, and is typically offered in May and December of each year, and is completed in 2 weekends. Upon completion of either workshop and the final interpretation assessment, volunteers receive an official certificate of completion. We typically recommend this accreditation option for potential volunteers with no prior experience. Scholarship applications are currently available through Vocalize Columbus for interested volunteers.
  2. Medical Interpreter Position Qualification (MIPQ)
    • The MIPQ exam assesses a candidate’s ability to work as a medical interpreter. This accreditation option is only available for volunteers with prior experience in interpreting, and can be taken online at any time. Our volunteers must receive a passing score of 75% in both the accuracy and terminology sections of this test. The cost of the exam will be fully covered by Vocalize Columbus. Contact anthonymoussa@vocalizecolumbus.org for more information. 
  3. National Certification through CCHI or NBCMI
    • Vocalize Columbus also recognizes the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) as the gold standard of accreditation in medical interpretation. These exams may be completed online, with total cost varying from language to language. The cost of these exams will not be covered by Vocalize Columbus at this time.
3

Shadowing Experience

Shadowing opportunities will be available to all Vocalize Columbus volunteers once the first two steps to volunteering are complete. Priority will be given to those without prior experience in the medical interpretation field.