Translating Care in the Age of AI

As AI tools for translation and interpretation become more common in healthcare, interpreters are facing new ethical challenges, shifting roles, and changing clinical dynamics. Drawing on ethnographic research in Oregon, this presentation explores how AI shapes real-world interactions—sometimes improving access, especially in underserved areas, and other times leading to errors, loss of nuance, and unclear accountability. Interpreters consistently raise concerns about consent, quality, professional recognition, and responsibility when AI is involved. By centering their experiences, this talk highlights how interpreters are not just adapting to AI, but actively shaping its ethical use in healthcare.

Suggested OHA Categories: Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Advanced
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The Human Side of Accuracy: Empathy as a Professional Skill

Accuracy in interpreting goes beyond words. It includes conveying meaning, emotion, and intent, especially in high-stakes settings. This presentation explores empathy as a professional skill that strengthens accuracy, trust, and ethical practice, rather than emotional involvement. We’ll examine how tone, pacing, and delivery impact communication, and how overly mechanical interpreting can distort meaning. The session also highlights cultural humility and offers practical strategies to integrate empathy while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

‍ Suggested OHA Categories: Skills, Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Beginner
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Beyond “Word for Word”: From Rules to Ethical Decision-Making in Health Care Interpreting

Interpreters are often taught that accuracy is the top priority, but real-world situations require balancing accuracy with harm prevention, power dynamics, and human dignity. With the first revision of the NCIHC Code of Ethics in 20 years, interpreters now have clearer guidance for navigating these complexities. This session explores key updates, challenges the limits of a “dos and don’ts” approach, and reframes ethics as a values-based decision-making process. Attendees will gain tools to handle ambiguity and high-stakes situations with clarity, confidence, and integrity.

Suggested OHA Categories: Skills, Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Beginner
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Thinking About Money

Financial health is foundational for interpreters. If we are worried about money, it will affect our physical health and it will affect our work as an interpreter, tempting us to make unethical decisions like taking on work for which we are not qualified, working when exhausted and unable to perform well, and filling our schedules to the point where we are unable to pursue professional development opportunities. So: how much money is enough money? The goal of this workshop is to provide you with cautions, tools, and strategies to help make informed decisions in setting your fees.

Suggested OHA Categories: Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Advanced

Avoid Getting Strung Out About Addiction Appointments

Interpreters are often requested for appointments dealing with different types of addictions. It's high time interpreters learn about substance use disorder, classified as a disease, and other types of addictions that are classified as mental health disorders. If you are craving a fix for delving into this topic, satisfy your craving as we explore the types of appointments such as outpatient and inpatient screenings, intake evaluations, treatment, or discharge from inpatient facilities. We explore genetic, environmental, and psycological factors which can lead to addiction, effects of addiction, co-occurring conditions, and treatment modalities. If you are Jonesing to learn clinical and recovery terminology, as well as street names for substances and behaviors, this class is for you. We will apply the principles of Interpreter Ethics in relation to interpreting addiction appointments, as well as interpreter self-care.

Suggested OHA Categories: Skills, Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Beginner

Setting Sustainable Interpreting Rates: Ethical, Legal, and Practical Considerations for Independent Contractors

Independent contractor interpreters often face pressure to set rates that are competitive, ethical, and sustainable without clear guidance. This workshop reframes rate-setting as an issue of professional ethics and community responsibility. Participants will explore legal considerations, calculate a personal minimum sustainable rate, and account for expenses and non-billable work. The session emphasizes informed, independent decision-making that supports long-term sustainability and professional integrity.

Suggested OHA Categories: Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Advanced
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It Takes Two: A Shared Framework for Language Justice

Ensuring language justice is essential to equitable service, yet access requires more than simply having a qualified interpreter. True equity depends on shared responsibility between interpreters and providers, along with a clear understanding of what effective language access looks like. This workshop explores common gaps in that understanding and how they impact clients’ ability to fully engage. Through discussion and role play, participants will gain practical tools to strengthen language access in their own work and communities.

Suggested OHA Categories: Skills, Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Beginner

Register: Achieving Message Accuracy

This workshop will engage participants in discussions about the definition of various registers in the interpreting field and will practice how to interpret them correctly. We will witness how using or working in the incorrect register could and does affect message equivalency. The presenter will offer possible tools and approaches that can be implemented while working with clients in various settings. Consumers’ language can present unique demands for interpreters. Their command of English may be considered dysfluent and can be impacted by various factors, including their mental health status, medications, fund-of information deficits, or language deprivation. For this reason, this workshop will engage participants to learn how register is an important aspect of our work when we are striving to produce an accurate message.

Suggested OHA Categories: Skills, Ethics, Other
CEU Level: Advanced
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OHA - Division of Equity and Inclusion OHA Health Care Interpreter Program

Join us for an insightful workshop focused on the vital role of health care interpreters (HCIs) in improving patient care and communication between persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) and medical providers. Explore working with professionally trained HCIs. Learn about free HCI training and continue education unity (CEUs), and strategies to work with interpreter in medical settings. This session will provide valuable tools for healthcare professionals/providers, health care interpreters, and organizations aiming to ensure clear, accurate, and compassionate communication across language barriers by working with health care interpreters. Learn about current OHA efforts to create a Health Care Interpreter Scheduling and Payment Portal for Medicaid members and how you can get more involved.

Boost Your Resumé: Become a Court Interpreter

This one-hour workshop will provide participants information on how court interpreting can expand their interpreting career opportunities. We will cover career development, what skills are needed for court interpreting, the benefits to pursuing court interpreter certification, and the steps to start the court certification process.

Beyond Words: Human Cognitive Skills at the Heart of Interpreting Performance

Better interpreting isn’t just about knowing more words. It’s about the cognitive skills behind them. While language is what people hear, skills like memory, processing, decision-making, and self-monitoring are what drive accuracy and performance. These universal, trainable “mental muscles” set great interpreters apart and remain essential even as AI advances. This interactive session highlights these often-overlooked skills and offers practical exercises to strengthen them.

Are Interpreters Earning a Living? Results & Discussion from the National ASL Interpreter Income Study – Colleen Jones

For too long, conversations about interpreter income, rates, and finances have been based on emotions & assumptions, instead of data & facts. When interpreting is not financially sustainable, scarcity takes a toll: burnout, interpreters leaving the field, underskilled practitioners, lack of preparedness for retirement. The economic viability of an interpreting career is a critical issue, and lack of discussion has only caused harm, impacting both interpreters and the communities we serve. This presentation aims to shed light on this important topic. This engaging session presents results from the first-of-its-kind National ASL Interpreter Income Study. This isn’t just about raw numbers; it’s about understanding the nuance and context of the interpreter experience and how this shows up in our work. Join us for this long-overdue data and dialogue.

Shaping the Future: Analyzing the Global Workforce Survey of Healthcare Interpreters

In 2025, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) launched the first Global Workforce Survey to better understand interpreters’ working conditions and compensation. The results offer valuable insights into the profession across roles, settings, and locations. This session explores key findings and their impact, with interactive discussions focused on turning data into actionable strategies for improving conditions, advancing advocacy, and strengthening the field.

Interpreter Safety in Healthcare Settings: Not Just a Visitor

Medical interpreters play a vital role in healthcare but are often overlooked in safety planning. This workshop frames interpreter safety as an ethical issue connected to equity, shared responsibility, and inclusive care. Participants will explore common risks in medical settings, how system practices can exclude interpreters from protections, and the ethical implications of those gaps. Through case-based discussion, attendees will gain practical strategies to support safer, more inclusive encounters while maintaining professional boundaries.