Phone Interview
The candidate has an initial phone interview with the Interpreter Referral Department (IRD) Manager or the Executive Director.

Please be prepared with the following:

  • Certification
  • Education
  • Experience
  • Availability

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Pre-requisite
Pre-certified interpreters should have passed the RID, CDI or NIC written exam.

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Application
Candidate is mailed an application and a pre-hire package of information and forms. Candidate should return application with appropriate documentation listed below.

  • All candidates must provide:
    • Resume
    • References
    • Professional Development Activities
  • Provide if available
    • Criminal Reference Check
    • Child Abuse Clearance
    • Professional Liability Insurance
    • HIPAA certification
  • Pre-certified - Proof of RID/NIC written exam, skill evaluations from other sources, ITP evaluations.
  • Certified - Proof of certification.

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Review of Application and Reference Check
After reviewing the application and references, a decision is made about the next step.

  • Pre-certified – If ready, is offered date and time for the screening.
  • Certified – May require on-the-job evaluation or proceed to sign-up.

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Screening

  • Scheduling – Screenings are scheduled Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. Screenings for after-hours may be arranged.
  • Cost – DHCC incurs the entire cost of the screenings.
  • Screeners – Two certified interpreters who may be either Deaf or hearing evaluate the screening.
  • Screening – there are three components to the screening:
    • Ethics Interview: Evaluates the candidate’s ability to handle ethical dilemmas. The candidate has the opportunity to review the questions.
    • Interpreting Evaluation: There are two parts to the interpreting evaluation. Prior to each part, the candidate is given a brief description to review.
      • ASL Videotape: Evaluates the candidate’s interpreting skill from ASL to spoken English.
      • English Audiotape: Evaluates the candidate’s interpreting skill from spoken English to ASL.
    • Transliterating Evaluation: There are two parts to the transliterating evaluation. Prior to each part, the candidate is given a brief description to review.
      • Transliterating Videotape: Evaluates the candidate’s transliterating skill from signed English to spoken English.
      • English Audiotape: Evaluates the candidate’s transliterating skill from spoken English to signed English.
  • Format – screening is videotaped and sent to screeners for review.
  • Results – the IRD Manager or Executive Director will contact the candidate and share the results.

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Evaluators' Recommendations
The evaluators may recommend that the candidate is ready to sign-up with DHCC or may need to have one or more on-the-job evaluations.

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On-the-Job Evaluation
The candidate is evaluated in an assignment by a DHCC approved evaluator. The candidate is not financially compensated for participating in the evaluation(s).

Transliteration and/or interpreting may be evaluated in one to three on-the-job evaluations.

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Sign-up
Once the candidate successfully completes the steps appropriate for his or her situation, the IRD Manager may arrange an appointment with the candidate to explain DHCC polices and procedures, introduce the candidate to the staff and have the candidate sign the appropriate forms. If a face-to-face appointment is not necessary, the IRD Manager will send a letter of welcome including the post-hire package including policies, procedures, sample forms and forms to complete, sign and return. Once the forms are received (in person or by mail), the interpreter is added to DHCC’s independent subcontractor interpreter list, provided with DHCC business cards and is ready to be contacted for work.

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Reverse Process for Recent ITP Graduates
Many of the Interpreter Training Program (ITP) graduates are from the Delaware Valley and have completed their internships with DHCC interpreters. Some of recent graduates may be offered a special procedure as follows:

  • An ITP graduate is screened on the phone and if he or she has scheduled the RID/CDI/NIC written test, the Executive Director (ED) or IRD Manager sends him or her an application form.
  • The manager reviews the application and checks references and waits for results of the written test.
  • The candidate notifies DHCC that he or she has passed the written test.
  • If everything checks out with the references, the IRD Manager arranges for the candidate to have up to two on-the-job evaluations. The second is scheduled if the person succeeds in the first.
  • Depending on the results of the on-the-job evaluation(s), a screening may be scheduled.
  • If the individual passes the on-the-job evaluation(s) or the on-the-job evaluation(s) and the screening, he or she proceeds to the sign-up phase outlined above.

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Apply On-line
If you would like to join the DHCC's freelance interpreter roster, please submit the following Web form.

Interpreter Contact Information
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State
Zip:
E-mail:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Fax:

Please list your certifications.


Have you taken the RID/NIC written exam? Yes   No
If yes, Date


Have you passed the RID/NIC written exam? Yes   No

How far do you live from Center City, Philadelphia?

What is your current availability?

Is this expected to change? Yes   No

If so, when would this take effect?

 

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