Language Access Services
Northern Inyo Healthcare District is committed to addressing the language
or communication needs of its patients experiencing barriers for equal
access to health care services, not limited to any particular racial,
ethnic, and linguistic population group. Through its Language Access Services
Department, NIHD ensures limited English-speaking patients have meaningful
and equal access to all hospital services.
The Language Access Services Program utilizes the expertise of the District’s:
- Approved bilingual workforce
- Qualified medical interpreters
- Nationally Certified Healthcare Interpreters
- Professional translation services
Additionally, the District contracts with over-the-phone interpreting, and video remote interpreting service providers. These contracted services are available 24-hours, seven days a week; American Sign Language interpreting is available on-demand through video remote interpreting.
Therefore, the Program encompasses direct services in the patient’s
language, in-person, over-the-phone and video remote interpreting services
for spoken languages and American Sign Language; and written translation
of Vital Documents, Significant Communication, and Significant Publications.
Interpreters at Northern Inyo Healthcare District are committed to supporting
the delivery of culturally, and linguistically competent health care services.
Interpreting in medical settings requires proper language skills, and specialized training. NIHD interpreters are subject to high standards of practice. They are trained on, and follow the California Standards for Healthcare Interpreters, set forth by the California Healthcare Interpreting Association; the National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care, set forth by the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care; as well as abiding by the District’s confidentiality policies and regulations.
Jose Garcia, CD, CHITM
Language Access Services Manager/Mánager de Servicios de Acceso
Lingüístico
Jose Garcia graduated as Cirujano Dentista (Doctor of Dental Surgery) from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, in Mexico City; and obtained his national certification on medical interpreting (Certified Healthcare InterpreterTM) through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). Jose is a Language Access Consultant with more than 17 years of experience as interpreter, translator, Interpreters’ trainer, and in interpreter services program development. Jose has been a Board Member for the California Healthcare Interpreting Association - CHIA since 2007, he’d receive CHIA’s Interpreter of the Year Award in 2010, and had the honor of serving as CHIA’s President from 2013 through 2018. Jose has been working for NIHD since March, 2007.
José García se graduó como Cirujano Dentista en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, y obtuvo su certificación nacional en interpretación médica (Certified Healthcare InterpreterTM) de la Comisión para la Certificación de Intérpretes en la Atención Médica (Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters - CCHI). José es Asesor en Servicios de Acceso Lingüístico con más de 17 años de experiencia como intérprete, traductor, capacitación de intérpretes, y en el desarrollo de programas de interpretación. José ha sido Miembro del Consejo Directivo de la Asociación para la Interpretación en la Atención Médica (California Healthcare Interpreting Association – CHIA) desde el 2007; en el 2010, CHIA le otorgó el reconocimiento como el Intérprete del Año, y tuvo el honor de ocupar el cargo de Presidente de CHIA del 2013 al 2018. José trabaja para NIHD desde marzo del 2007.
Silvia Garcia, CHITM
Certified Healthcare InterpreterTM / Intérprete Médica Certificada
Silvia Garcia has 16 years of experience interpreting in health care settings.
Silvia obtained her Certified Healthcare InterpreterTM certification in March 2021. Previously, Silvia obtained her CNA through
Cerro Coso Community College, and her Phlebotomy License through U.S.
Colleges in Anaheim. Silvia was raised in the Eastern Sierra, and has
been employed at NIHD since 2018.
Silvia García tiene 16 años de experiencia en interpretación
en la atención médica. Silvia obtuvo su certificación
como Intérprete Médica Certificada en marzo del 2021. Anteriormente,
Silvia obtuvo la Certificación como Asistente de Enfermería
(CNA) en (Cerro Coso Community College), y su Certificación en
Flebotomía en (U.S. Colleges de Anaheim). Silvia creció
en la Sierra del Este (Eastern Sierra), y ha estado trabajando en NIHD
desde el 2018.
Important Forms:
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Northern Inyo Healthcare District Interpretive Services, please contact Jose Garcia, Language Access Services Manager, at (760) 873-2147 or email him. For the hearing-impaired, please call the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.