Sign language Interpreter question

Steinhauer

Steinhauer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
12,108
Reaction score
136
I have a question concerning the ethical conduct of certified interpreters. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, so I am not going to name any names. I simply just have a question.

I was involved in a medical situation, and a rotating team of ASL interpreters had to be called to interpret. On one of the shift rotations, one interpreter introduced them-self, and gave quite a bit of very good information regarding the medical condition. They then proceeded to fall asleep and were not interpreting for the remainder of the shift. I really didn't mind, but I was not the person needing the interpreter. This interpreter, when woken up to interpret, exclaimed that they had told the hospital staff to nudge/wake up the interpreter when they went in to check on the patient. There was no issue, no problem, no harm, no foul.

I mentioned this interpreter to a member of the patient's family when that family member arrived. It was in a humorous good natured way. I believe I had said something to the effect of "Wow, that interpreter must have been really tired .. but they did give a lot of beneficial information to the patient that was very useful".

So, that was that, or so I thought.

The following evening, the same interpreter arrived for the same shift. We both smiled and signed hello. The same sleep/interpret issue occurred, with absolutely no dilemmas whatsoever.

The patient was transferred to a different room, and the following night, the same interpreter arrived for the same shift. I was in the room with the patient. The interpreter came in, there was no nurse or hospital staff there.

The interpreter then began to question me about another interpreter, and if I remembered that interpreter's name (which I still don't know). The interpreter then told me that a prior interpreter told her that I had complained about the sleeping on the previous shifts. I told the interpreter that I had not complained to any of the other interpreters - and this went challenged. More than once.

This particular interpreter then "chatted" for a length of 4 hours.

A lot of good information was exchanged, but I detected that the interpreter had a "political agenda" that was divisive to my wife (the patient) and I. Should I report this, or leave it alone?
 
Report it. She broke HIPAA confidentiality, which is really huge for an interpreter who interprets medical situations. She had absolutely no right to give ANY information to anyone without her client's permission. She also should not have volunteered any information, that isn't interpreting! She failed in her basic job description there. Also, she was working. It does not matter what time of day it was, she should not have been allowed to sleep during her shift unless her client told her it was ok to doze. And given that your wife was hospitalized, would she have been alert enough to deal with an emergency situation if it occured?

She really needs to be reported, she's an awful interpreter. I have an intense medical procedure every three months for three days at a time, where I have one interpreter for about 6 hours. I only ask and require one because I have some periods of intense interpreting needs followed by an hour to two before the next need. There's no need for another interpreter, and it's an easy job for them since there's maybe a total of a half hour, maybe 45 minutes of signing during those 6 hours. They darn well stay awake, they are on the job and if I need them NOW I have them now.

One person and his sister have done the interpreting for me enough times that they could tell the medical professionals all the answers to their questions, but they don't because that's beyond the scope of their job. It's my health, my body, my desire to tell the professionals what I want to tell them, it's not their job at all. I wouldn't even let my husband do it unless I had asked him beforehand and told him specifically what I wanted him to tell them. Even he doesn't get the right to tell doctors the answers to the questions they ask, unless it's the answer to something like "How well did you do this month in general, was it easier or harder or the same?" and he will say that in his opinion, I'm doing much better because he can see it, or I'm worse because he can see how hard I'm struggling. It's still not an answer about what is going on with my body, because it ain't his body!
 
Steinhauer said:
I have a question concerning the ethical conduct of certified interpreters. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, so I am not going to name any names. I simply just have a question.

I was involved in a medical situation, and a rotating team of ASL interpreters had to be called to interpret. On one of the shift rotations, one interpreter introduced them-self, and gave quite a bit of very good information regarding the medical condition. They then proceeded to fall asleep and were not interpreting for the remainder of the shift. I really didn't mind, but I was not the person needing the interpreter. This interpreter, when woken up to interpret, exclaimed that they had told the hospital staff to nudge/wake up the interpreter when they went in to check on the patient. There was no issue, no problem, no harm, no foul.

I mentioned this interpreter to a member of the patient's family when that family member arrived. It was in a humorous good natured way. I believe I had said something to the effect of "Wow, that interpreter must have been really tired .. but they did give a lot of beneficial information to the patient that was very useful".

So, that was that, or so I thought.

The following evening, the same interpreter arrived for the same shift. We both smiled and signed hello. The same sleep/interpret issue occurred, with absolutely no dilemmas whatsoever.

The patient was transferred to a different room, and the following night, the same interpreter arrived for the same shift. I was in the room with the patient. The interpreter came in, there was no nurse or hospital staff there.

The interpreter then began to question me about another interpreter, and if I remembered that interpreter's name (which I still don't know). The interpreter then told me that a prior interpreter told her that I had complained about the sleeping on the previous shifts. I told the interpreter that I had not complained to any of the other interpreters - and this went challenged. More than once.

This particular interpreter then "chatted" for a length of 4 hours.

A lot of good information was exchanged, but I detected that the interpreter had a "political agenda" that was divisive to my wife (the patient) and I. Should I report this, or leave it alone?
Click to expand...

report this terp for what exactly? a "political agenda" that was divisive to your wife?
 
Oh man... ANYONE, in the medical profession including medical interpreters... HIPAA... oh dear lord... That is a HUGE deal. I hope it all worked out for you. =( Congratulations on your recent medical "issue" in having your son! lol so it was a little bit of a worth is medical issue. =P Hehe
 
Eater of Worlds said:
Report it. She broke HIPAA confidentiality, which is really huge for an interpreter who interprets medical situations. She had absolutely no right to give ANY information to anyone without her client's permission. She also should not have volunteered any information, that isn't interpreting! She failed in her basic job description there. Also, she was working. It does not matter what time of day it was, she should not have been allowed to sleep during her shift unless her client told her it was ok to doze. And given that your wife was hospitalized, would she have been alert enough to deal with an emergency situation if it occured?

She really needs to be reported, she's an awful interpreter. I have an intense medical procedure every three months for three days at a time, where I have one interpreter for about 6 hours. I only ask and require one because I have some periods of intense interpreting needs followed by an hour to two before the next need. There's no need for another interpreter, and it's an easy job for them since there's maybe a total of a half hour, maybe 45 minutes of signing during those 6 hours. They darn well stay awake, they are on the job and if I need them NOW I have them now.

One person and his sister have done the interpreting for me enough times that they could tell the medical professionals all the answers to their questions, but they don't because that's beyond the scope of their job. It's my health, my body, my desire to tell the professionals what I want to tell them, it's not their job at all. I wouldn't even let my husband do it unless I had asked him beforehand and told him specifically what I wanted him to tell them. Even he doesn't get the right to tell doctors the answers to the questions they ask, unless it's the answer to something like "How well did you do this month in general, was it easier or harder or the same?" and he will say that in his opinion, I'm doing much better because he can see it, or I'm worse because he can see how hard I'm struggling. It's still not an answer about what is going on with my body, because it ain't his body!
Click to expand...


In that interpreter's defense, I will say this - the information was asked for by the patient - but the 4 hour chat session was not asked for. There was a Q&A session that lasted for 4 hours that I felt wasn't necessary as both, my wife and I were exhausted.

That is the key right there - we were exhausted and the terp knew this - and confronted me about a complaint I never made to the terp she claimed reported it (the family member I mentioned it to told me to inform them of any funny business and that they would take the humor right out of it). That terp claimed they had a day job, then had to come work that shift absolutely exhausted (and strongly implied that it was a favor for the both of us and we should feel grateful) .. then chatted for four hours keeping us awake knowing I had to work a full shift in a few hours with no sleep.

get it now? (and when I went to work, I didn't fall asleep on the job).

the problem is, I saw right through it.
 
Steinhauer said:
In that interpreter's defense, I will say this - the information was asked for by the patient - but the 4 hour chat session was not asked for. There was a Q&A session that lasted for 4 hours that I felt wasn't necessary as both, my wife and I were exhausted.

That is the key right there - we were exhausted and the terp knew this - and confronted me about a complaint I never made to the terp she claimed reported it (the family member I mentioned it to told me to inform them of any funny business and that they would take the humor right out of it). That terp claimed they had a day job, then had to come work that shift absolutely exhausted (and strongly implied that it was a favor for the both of us and we should feel grateful) .. then chatted for four hours keeping us awake knowing I had to work a full shift in a few hours with no sleep.

get it now? (and when I went to work, I didn't fall asleep on the job).

the problem is, I saw right through it.
Click to expand...

chatted for 4 hours?

did you stop the convo and tell this terp that both of you were exhausted and would like to sleep?
 
Jiro said:
chatted for 4 hours?

did you stop the convo and tell this terp that both of you were exhausted and would like to sleep?
Click to expand...

A number of times. I even indicated I had to work a full shift in a few hours. This terp would look away and start chatting with my wife.

Geez - I am drop dead tired right now. I will come back later and see if Reba decides to leave feedback.

**There were no issues at all with any of the other terps**

**This issue started when I was confronted that I had complained to one of the other terps - which I never did**

**The hospital staff clearly saw this terp asleep - I had told the patients family member - not a terp - and it was not a complaint**

Very important - We were all very tired, all of our perceptions (including the terp) was distorted as a result of serious lack of sleep. That is why I am asking if I should let it go.
 
Steinhauer said:
A number of times. I even indicated I had to work a few shifts in a number of hours. She would look away and start chatting with my wife.
Click to expand...

oh my.... :roll:

for that terp - I would recommend notifying a supervisor about it.
 
Steinhauer said:
Its been eating at me this whole time.
Click to expand...

there's a classic subtle posture to make him/her go away in a very polite way. works all the time for me.

Terp: blah blah blah blah blah blah
Steinhauer: alright.... we're very tired and we need to rest because I have to work in few hours. thank you sooo much for everything and I appreciate you terping for us this long <standing up and extending out your hand for a handshake> and then position your body posture like you're walking her out of the room.
 
Jiro said:
there's a classic subtle posture to make him/her go away in a very polite way. works all the time for me.

Terp: blah blah blah blah blah blah
Steinhauer: alright.... we're very tired and we need to rest because I have to work in few hours. thank you sooo much for everything and I appreciate you terping for us this long <standing up and extending out your hand for a handshake> and then position your body posture like you're walking her out of the room.
Click to expand...

If I had stood up, I would have passed out. And my wife hadn't been asleep in 2 days.

I was droning.
 
I haven't yet read all the posts but I'll state some general interpreting principles.

Interpreters should not discuss other interpreters with clients.

Interpreters should not sleep in front of clients. If the terp is working extended shifts and needs to sleep then go to a break room or elsewhere but be available to paging or have another terp stand-by.

Interpreters should not be "explaining" medical procedures outside the presence of medical staff. If more explanation beyond normal expansion is required, then the terp turns to the medical professional and says either, "Interpreter needs more detailed description" or "Patient requests more details," depending on which fits the situation. Interpreters should not answer medical questions. Interpreters who are left alone with patients should say, "Let me get a nurse/doctor and you can ask them." If the doctor/nurse asks the terp to "tell" the patient to do something, or to ask the patient something without directly addressing the patient (like while the patient is asleep or in the bathroom), the terp should say, "I'll be happy to interpret your question or orders for you when the patient returns." (Use professional tone but smile pleasantly.)

Technically, the terp is supposed to wait outside the hospital room until both parties, hearing and deaf, are present. Practically, depending on patient preferences, the terp "hangs out" in the hospital room for long assignments that include lots of gaps in actual signing times. If the patient requests the terp stay in the room, that's fine. If not, then the terp steps outside until needed. In the South, there seems to be more tendency for patients to want the terp to stay and chat. As long as the chat topic guidelines are followed, that's fine. No gossip about other terps or deaf people!

A deaf patient or family member has enough to worry about without having to report an inadequate terp to authorities. Ideally, someone from the staff who does the terp hiring should check in with the patient after the terp leaves to get feedback. Just a brief visit, asking the patient, were you satisfied with the terp service? (Maybe a short, simple feedback form for terp services.) If there are any problems, the hospital to resolve them. I realize that's the ideal and may not be possible in every situation.

If you have to complain, do it but not to another terp. Tell the desk nurse or doctor.
 
Jiro said:
there's a classic subtle posture to make him/her go away in a very polite way. works all the time for me.

Terp: blah blah blah blah blah blah
Steinhauer: alright.... we're very tired and we need to rest because I have to work in few hours. thank you sooo much for everything and I appreciate you terping for us this long <standing up and extending out your hand for a handshake> and then position your body posture like you're walking her out of the room.
Click to expand...

A terp should be better at analyzing the situation and not put the patient/family on the spot. When the formal assignment is finished, the terp should ask the patient/family, "Is there anything else I can do for you before I leave?" If not, then leave. If yes, then stay a while to fulfill their request, then leave. If the patient/family member says, "Please just stay a while with me," then you can. Even then, don't blah blah blah but follow their lead in conversation.
 
Steinhauer said:
A number of times. I even indicated I had to work a full shift in a few hours. This terp would look away and start chatting with my wife....
Click to expand...
Don't feel obligated to chat with terps. You and wife could just shut eyes or turn away. Terp should take the hint. If terp doesn't, buzz for the nurse and let her know that you need to sleep and let the nurse lead the terp out of the room. Or turn off the lights. :)

Terp gets paid for her time; she doesn't need to be entertained. Even if she has to sit for hours staring into space, she's getting paid. (Most terps carry a small book with them to read during down times, preferably in a plain book cover or e-book so as not to offend anyone.)
 
Reba said:
Don't feel obligated to chat with terps. You and wife could just shut eyes or turn away. Terp should take the hint. If terp doesn't, buzz for the nurse and let her know that you need to sleep and let the nurse lead the terp out of the room. Or turn off the lights. :)

Terp gets paid for her time; she doesn't need to be entertained. Even if she has to sit for hours staring into space, she's getting paid. (Most terps carry a small book with them to read during down times, preferably in a plain book cover or e-book so as not to offend anyone.)
Click to expand...

:hmm:

perhaps that's what that terp was doing... clocking in for more $$$ :hmm:
 
Jiro said:
:hmm:

perhaps that's what that terp was doing... clocking in for more $$$ :hmm:
Click to expand...
Normally the assignment time is set by whomever is hiring the terp. Terps don't set their own times.
 
Back
Top