By Lorena Ortiz Schneider
Earlier this year, NCTA established the Workers’ Compensation Interpreter Group (WCIG). The WorkComp field offers the greatest volume of interpreting assignments in the state of California, and our group is specifically dedicated to representing these interpreters.
I would wager that most of you reading this column – interpreters in court, hospitals or elsewhere – have been offered an assignment in the workers’ compensation field at some point, right?
Well, this group is designed for you! We welcome all professionals involved in the workers’ compensation interpreting system across the state, not just those working in Northern California.
NCTA’s WCIG was established to fill the gap left by the original advocacy entity for interpreters and interpreting services providers working within the WorkComp space: The California Workers’ Compensation Interpreters Association (CWCIA).
For almost 20 years, CWCIA represented the interests of interpreters providing LEP injured workers with effective access to medical treatment and legal processes. This group advocated for fair payment practices and provided education about regulatory procedures and legal changes regarding interpreters in the field.
The aim of WCIG is to once again represent the largest group of interpreters in the state and provide a collaborative space for sharing ideas, presenting up-to-date information, and discussing issues that impact our professional livelihoods like certification and fair remuneration.
Its establishment also comes at a crucial time when regulatory changes to language access, interpreter fees, and working conditions are in the works.
It is an important time for anyone working in this field, whether entirely or occasionally, to not only stay abreast of upcoming changes, but also help shape them so that they benefit us all.
WCIG encourages all interpreters and interpreting services providers to join NCTA so that we may speak in one voice when interfacing with the DIR/DWC around issues that impact our livelihoods and businesses. There is strength in numbers, and we can’t do it without you. In exchange for your participation, you will receive guidance around:
- Best practices for freelance interpreters and interpreting services providers
- Best practices on billing for services in medical and legal settings
- Best practices on billing for services in legal settings
- Best practices on running a business-of-one or an interpreting services company
- Issues specific to interpreting in legal settings
- Issues specific to interpreting in medical treatment and medical-legal settings
- Case law pertinent to interpreter services
- Current WorkComp regulations that impact interpreters and interpreting services providers
- Remedies when payment for services has not been made
- Worker classification compliance for WorkComp interpreters
- And much more – we welcome your suggestions.
Come join this vibrant, growing group, whether you are a business-of-one or an interpreting services provider, and whether you have been in WorkComp for 25 years or are just getting started.
Join us in this place, where we can help support you in remaining economically viable in this highly regulated field where, if you don’t follow the rules, you may find yourself working for free.
Lorena Ortiz Schneider is the current NCTA Vice President.
I would like to join this group.