Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance
We are committed to quality services. Our processes and policies guide us to deliver this key value.
PI Profile
Partners Interpreting coordinates sign language interpreters for communication access. We have a strong commitment to cultural sensitivity and language preferences. PI has a database of Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing profiles. This assists us when coordinating for your personal and professional interpreting needs.
If you would like to share your personal preferences regarding interpreters, language usage (e.g., I speak for myself, I use CDIs, I am low vision etc.) and more, please complete a profile form.
Feedback
PI strongly believes in quality services for the community. Your input is key to providing the best services we can, and helps us adjust where needed. We welcome and encourage Deaf individuals to share their experience with the interpreter, coordination process, or anything else with us. You may complete the feedback form at My PI Experience, send a video in ASL or call us through VP to share your feedback.
PI Interpreters
PI screens all interpreters regardless of credentials. This means every interpreter must follow our onboarding process before qualifying to work with us. Want to know the full process? Learn more about how interpreters join PI (See “How to apply”) and what’s required.
We have over 230+ qualified, local sign language interpreters, a combination of staff interpreters [Meet our staff] and general hourly interpreters. Our ASL interpreters have all been screened and vetted to meet PI’s qualifications and meet or exceed industry standards. We employ both hearing and Deaf Interpreter Specialists (CDIs). Interpreters meet state compliance regulations where applicable. Interpreters certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) represent 83% of our team, other state credentialing bodies (such as MCDHH) represent 15% of our interpreting team, the remainder are in process of obtaining national certification. For more information, check out our Compliance or Interpreter industry pages.
We monitor and share feedback with our interpreters and provide resources and guidance to help them continue to grow and develop. Our managers are trained and experienced in handling all types of situations and conflicts and can help resolve any issues that arise.
- Option 1: In some cases, with coaching or feedback on interpreter behavior or techniques, small adjustments can be made and both interpreter and consumer can move on in a healthy and productive manner.
- Option 2: Some complaints or conflicts are more serious; even if the interpreter made changes, they would not be a good fit for the assignment and would be replaced.
PI collects, manages, and updates all required paperwork, training, and other documentation for all interpreters, including:
- Hospital-required vaccinations or training
- Active federal checklist monitoring
- State registration or licensure
- Professional profiles
Consumer Bill of Rights
PI is dedicated to the Deaf community we serve. We are committed to:
- Quality assurance. We screen interpreters for language fluency and cultural competency and assign only those appropriately matched for requests.
- Commitment to oversight and professional development of our interpreters.
- Company financial interest not to overshadow or hinder decision making process which effects the Deaf community we serve.
- Priority to offer the best communication access options and support the choice of the Deaf person(s) involved
- Maintain open channel communicate with local vested parties.
- Refer resources best suited for additional services e.g. Language assessment and organizations or programs working with the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing population.
- When allowable include Deaf consumers in the coordination process. Keep informed of, who is assigned, consideration who selected, collect language preferences.
- Educate clients, interpreters and consumers to the industry demands and operations.
- Open channel for all feedback and steps to address any concerns.
- Commit to best practices for the interpreting industry.
- A balanced approach for deliver services, taking consideration of all parties- hearing/Deaf consumer, paying party and interpreting professionals.
- Due diligence and integrity to provide services.
- Manage business operations to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. We recognize financial impact on clients therefore impacting consumers. We are sensitive to this fact.
- Not to be a barrier, but a champion to communication access.
Our Commitment
Partners Interpreting provides professional communication and language access services. PI is dedicated to the Deaf community and wants to ensure that all solutions provided for communication access are a success for all stakeholders. We strive for quality service delivery, and industry innovation to impact and drive change for effective equal access. To our clients, consumers and employees we are committed to the following:
- In our hiring process: Each of our interpreters successfully completes our internal screening process. Our vetting system includes an assessment of language fluency in expressiveness, receptiveness, cultural competency and professional expectations/conduct. After identifying that the interpreter qualifies we proceed with the final hiring process.
- In our scheduling process: The team adheres to professional and ethical “best practices”, and affords the most comprehensive investigation of consumer, service option, specific providers requested, and settings in our scheduling and coordination approach.
- Growth: In our providers (interpreters and office staff)’ growth: Commitment to professional development, and accountability for our service providers.
- Standards: Language companies and professional organizations (e.g. RID, NAD, government) have implemented guidelines for the industry. Those guidelines cover quality, billing, policies, providers, and the operations and we are committed to follow. PI keeps ourselves involved to help develop industry standards to continue to raise the bar of quality interpreting services.
- All of our internal management methodology and operations software are strategically selected and designed to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. This, in turn, keeps our operating in a systematic and streamlined fashion which ensures cost effective and efficient, successful service delivery.
- Our company’s belief, philosophy and mission guide all decisions including financial management. We recognize the domino effect our financial decisions can have on the Deaf community primarily when seeking equal access. We promise to never allow any internal decision-making to overshadow or hinder any of the parties involved.
- Provide a well balanced approach in delivering services for multiple types of situations. Offer customers/consumers various communication solutions/options to ensure you receive the best service option for your needs. We also keep in mind that technology is ever-changing and we are committed to keep up with technology.
- Assist organizations in efficiently securing the most cost-effective solution in combination with the high quality services provided for the consumer. This provides an all-inclusive service delivery experience for consumer and client.
- Ensure that priority remains to be the consumer’s choice of what matches their needs. We support empowerment and offer the consumer the power to choose.
- Continually maintain open channels for communication with local vested parties, regardless if they are private or public sector. We are committed to keep an open mind and open heart to hear any experiences, while also providing consideration to our coordination process for the consumer, interpreter, and client. We also honor the cultural aspects of the Deaf community.
- We know that there are situations that would benefit from more support. PI will either bring in resources for the hearing community or refer resources of appropriate organizations, programs, and services that can best provide to the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing population. This offers a comprehensive resource sharing process for the Deaf community and clients.
- Our philosophy is to be consumer centric; therefore, we commit to be informed of the consumer’s preferences, language profile, and specific requests to be incorporated into their communication access. This is to maintain consideration and dedication to Deaf culture and values.
- We are committed to becoming the knowledge experts in the interpreting and language industry. We will educate our clients, interpreters, and consumers to the best practices of the industry, the protocol of interpreter teaming, the preparation time, the role of Deaf Interpreters, and the responsibility of abiding to the Code of Professional Conduct.
- Committed to promoting self-advocacy for consumer’s rights and responsibilities. You will not advocate alone, we will extend our knowledge and resources to provide advocacy for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing population.
- Most importantly, we are committed to take initiative and continue our education, be lifelong learners, and to become subject matter experts for the communities we serve.