Off-Duty or Not?

#440 Encounters with Reality
A close Deaf friend of yours has cancer and is in the hospital. You go to the hospital every day to visit, and when you're there the hospital staff takes advantage of your presence to interpret for one thing or another. You would like to e able to visit as a concerned friend only, but you know your Deaf friend is also encouraging the staff to utilize you by telling them whet time you plan to be there every day.

First Scenario Analysis

Okay, now that we've had a review of the NIC Interview rubric, I think it's time to start practicing. I am going to ask Katie Hoover to post an ethical dillemma on our blog here and then we are each going to craft a response in written English based on what we know about the raters' expectations, utilizing the rubric.

I am taking an online course now to help me prepare for the test as well, so I wanted to give some notes of things I've learned from that class thus far that I know have helped me a lot and you may find helpful as well.


First of all, think about who are ALL the stakeholders in the situation? Remember that there may be people who are affected but are not present (for example, the agency/interpreter coordinator, school administrators, etc.). Consider all these people when formulating your answer, including when you're stating the conflict and when discussing consequences of your solution.


When considering your solution, what are the resorces available to you? Is there time to call a mentor? What else can you use to help you formulate a decision? Try not to limit yourself to only the CPC.


Those are a couple of tips I've picked up from my course. Now I just need to get good at doing those things! :)


So here is your challenge for the week. Katie will post an ethical dilemma. Try not to read it until you are ready to write your response. When you have time, read the dilemma and formulate your response based on the expectations outlined in the rubric. Don't worry about a time limit this first time. When you are done, send your response to your partner as listed in the email.

NIC Interview Rubric

Each of the five Interview scenarios on the NIC Interview and Performance exam is rated on three domains. The domains are rated on a scale of one to four, with four being the highest. Below is a chart of the domains and the ratings that correspond to the candidate’s response.

NIC Interview Examination Rubric Anchors

Overarching description

Rating I

Exhibits a rigid or incorrect analysis of the problem(s) and/or solution(s).

Rating II

Exhibits superficial and onedimensional analysis of the problem(s) and/or solution(s).

Rating III

Exhibits a thoughtful and positive approach to the problem(s) and solution(s).

Rating IV

Exhibits integrity, confidence, critical thinking, and focus in analysis of the problem(s) and solution(s).

Domain #1
Identification of problem or conflict

Rating I

The candidate’s response might lack identification of problem or conflict between the situation and the interpreter code of ethics, policies, procedures, and/or laws, as applicable. The candidate’s response might provide insufficient discussion of a single perspective.

Rating II

The candidate’s response might identify the problem or conflict between the situation and the interpreter code of ethics, policies, procedures, and/or laws as applicable. The candidate’s response might provide a discussion of a single perspective with minimal expansion.

Rating III

The candidate’s response will identify and sufficiently describe the problem or conflict between the situation and the interpreter code of ethics, policies, procedures, and/or laws, as applicable. The candidate’s response will provide a sufficient discussion of at least two perspectives including, if applicable, the D/deaf consumer’s perspective.

Rating IV

The candidate’s response will describe clearly and comprehensively the problem or conflict between the situation and the interpreter code of ethics, policies, procedures, and/or laws, as
applicable. The candidate’s response will provide a substantial discussion of perspectives of involved parties.

Domain #2
Construction of a decision or solution

Rating I

The candidate’s response might contain a single perspective (e.g., D/deaf or hearing consumer,
interpreter, system). The candidate’s response might lack a reasonable solution. The candidate’s response might contain a solution that is incorrect, inflexible, and/or irrelevant.

Rating II

The candidate’s response might contain a single perspective (e.g., D/deaf or hearing consumer,
interpreter, system) with minimal expansion. The candidate’s response might present an ineffective solution, or present an effective solution with no explanation.

Rating III

The candidate’s response will contain sufficient discussion of at least two perspectives including, if applicable, the D/deaf consumer’s perspective. The candidate’s response will present an effective solution(s) to the problem with sufficient explanation.

Rating IV

The candidate’s response will provide a substantial discussion of perspectives of involved parties. The candidate’s response will present a successful solution(s) using, as applicable, (1) reasoning as influenced by past and present practices and (2) resources.

Domain#3
Consequences of a decision or solution

Rating I

The candidate’s response might lack discussion of the potential consequences.

Rating II

The candidate’s response might contain minimal discussion of potential consequences.

Rating III

The candidate’s response will contain sufficient discussion of the short-term effects.

Rating IV

The candidate’s response will contain sufficient discussion of both the short-term and long-term effects that might include cultural, political, and/or sociological implications.

In summary...

• Answer the question that is asked.
• Be thorough.
• Be thoughtful and knowledgable about your answer.
• Reference your answer to the CPC and applicable laws.

Hi! Finally got this figured out. Sorry Ladies, not so tech savy over here. So Tenent 2 right? Here it is; basicly this means that we should behave as profesionals and view interpreting as a profesion. That means we need to be skilled and able to provide services in a variety of communication modes and settings. We need to stay current on new trends in the profession and in the Deaf community. We also have the old COE line in here of don't advise your clients, don't discriminate, and provide referals if others are needed to do the job right. I think the most important part of this tenent is that we need to know our stuff and be ready for anything which also means always working on that old ELK!

2.0 PROFESSIONALISM
Tenet: Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting
situation.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected to stay abreast of evolving language use and trends in
the profession of interpreting as well as in the American Deaf community.
Interpreters accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, communication mode, setting, and
consumer needs. Interpreters possess knowledge of American Deaf culture and deafness-related resources.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
2.1 Provide service delivery regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,
sexual orientation, or any other factor.
2.2 Assess consumer needs and the interpreting situation before and during the assignment and
make adjustments as needed.
2.3 Render the message faithfully by conveying the content and spirit of what is being communicated,
using language most readily understood by consumers, and correcting errors discreetly
and expeditiously.
2.4 Request support (e.g., certified deaf interpreters, team members, language facilitators) when
needed to fully convey the message or to address exceptional communication challenges (e.g.
cognitive disabilities, foreign sign language, emerging language ability, or lack of formal
instruction or language).
2.5 Refrain from providing counsel, advice, or personal opinions.
2.6 Judiciously provide information or referral regarding available interpreting or community
resources without infringing upon consumers’ rights.

#4 R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Respect for Consumers

Tenet: Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.

Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected to honor consumer preferences in selections of interpreters and interpreting dynamics, while recognizing the realities of qualifications, availability, and situation.

Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
4.1 Consider consumer requests or needs regarding language preferences, and render the message accordingly (interpreted or transliterated).

4.2 Approach consumers with a professional demeanor at all times.

4.3 Obtain the consent of consumers before bringing an intern to an assignment.

4.4 Facilitate communication access and equality, and support the full interaction and independence of consumers.


A few things came to mind. One is learning not to take it to the heart when a consumer wants a different interpreter. It's okay. We don't have to be everything to everyone. Two, sadly I have heard people actually say "We're in Utah, everyone uses signed English". This bugs. I've seen interpreters use the form their comfortable with and not at all what is most accessible to the consumer. Lastly, I think in certain environments, we can get to lax and let things like chatting with our team take over paying attention to the deaf students needs.

Expanding Our ELK

7.0 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Tenet: Interpreters engage in professional development.

Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected to foster and maintain interpreting competence and the stature of the profession through ongoing development of knowledge and skills.

Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
7.1 Increase knowledge and strengthen skills through activities such as:

● pursuing higher education;

● attending workshops and conferences;

● seeking mentoring and supervision opportunities;

● participating in community events; and

● engaging in independent studies.

7.2 Keep abreast of laws, policies, rules, and regulations that affect the profession.


This is self explanatory. Each of us are expanding our ELK (extra linguistic knowledge) by participating in this group. We are rolling up our sleeves to join the ranks of other Nationally Certified Interpreters in our field. Go us!! We need to also remember to attend workshops and join the Deaf community in local events.

I have some websites that I would like to share with you (they all go along with expanding our ELK and focusing on professional development. They are as follows:

Video clips gathered together on one website of Deaf individuals signing: oicmovies.com. You have to sign up with a user name and password, but there's some good practice material. It's worth it.

Google this site... it is mostly for the NIC written test, but if it isn't useful to you, pass it on! studystack.com/menu155303. Like I said, google it, don't put it in the address bar.

If you have more, add them here! We all will benefit from them :)

#7: Expand your ELK!!

Kicking it off with confidentiality

1.0 CONFIDENTIALITY

Tenet: Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.

Guiding Principle: Interpreters hold a position of trust in their role as linguistic and cultural facilitators of communication. Confidentiality is highly valued by consumers and is essential to protecting all involved.

Each interpreting situation (e.g. elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education, legal, medical, and mental health) has a standard of confidentiality. Under the reasonable interpreter standard, interpreters are expected to know the general requirements and applicability of various levels of confidentiality. Exceptions to confidentiality include, for example, federal and state laws requiring mandatory reporting of abuse or threats of suicide, or responding to subpoenas.

Illustrative Behaviors
1.1 Share assignments information only on a confidential and "as-needed" basis (e.g. supervisors, interpreter team members, members of the educational team, hiring entities).

1.2 Manage data, invoices, records, or consumer-specific information in a manner consistent with maintaining consumer confidentiality (e.g. shredding, locked files).

1.3 Inform consumers when federal or state mandates require disclosure of confidential information.


I think it is significant that Confidentiality is the first tenet of the CPC. To me that illustrates the responsibility we all carry to protect consumers' information. I like that the CPC does mention that different settings have different standards of confidentiality. Sometimes we get used to working in one specific setting and get too rigid in the rules that apply to that setting.

I'm at work and am having trouble attaching my visual items, so I will email you the CPC flashcards that I made that have clipart pics in them.