DHCC
Deaf-Hearing Communications Centre, Inc.
Interpreter Referral Department Serving the Community Since 1972
DHCC Hearing Interpreter Application Process
Phone Interview: The candidate has an initial phone interview to determine certification, education, experience and availability with the Interpreter Department Manager (IRD).
Pre-requisite: Pre-certified interpreters MUST pass the NIC written exam.
Application: Candidate is mailed an application form and a pre-hire package of information. Candidate returns application with appropriate documentation listed below:
- All candidates – resume, references, professional development activities and if available, criminal reference check, child abuse clearance, professional liability insurance, HIPAA certification.
- Pre-certified – Proof of passing NIC written exam, skill evaluations from mother sources, IRP evaluations, etc.
- Certified – Proof of certification.
Review of Application and Reference Check: After reviewing the application and references, a decision is made about 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.
Screening:
- Scheduling – Screening are scheduled Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. Screenings for after-hours may be arranged with the IRD Manager or Executive Director.
- Cost – DHCC incurs the entire cost of the screenings and candidates are asked to confirm screening at least 7 full days ahead.
- Screeners – Two certified interpreter, who may be 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 by presenting hypothetical situations for candidate’s response.
- 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 spoken English to ASL.
- 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 the screeners for review.
- Results – The IRD Manager or Executive Director will contact the candidate and share the results.
Evaluators Recommendations: The evaluators may recommend that the candidate is ready to sign up with DHCC, may need to have one or more on-the-job evaluations or is not ready to join DHCC.
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.
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 policies 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 contracted for work.
Get started: After reviewing all the information in this process, you meet the requirements and wish to apply to become a DHCC interpreter, please email Jeanne Bonnes, Interpreter Services Manager at .