Oral Interpretation | Interpreting and Translation Services | UC Davis Health

Medical Interpreting Services provides oral interpretation for UC Davis Health patients, their families, clinic and hospital staff, and providers in person, over the phone, or via video.

UC Davis Health’s staff and vendor medical interpreters are experienced at conveying the meaning of the original message, even when using specialized terms, slang, and expressions. They service patient care needs with an in-depth understanding, confidentiality, and reliability in more than 200 languages.

• Available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week via on-demand video or telephone.
• Limited in-person service based on triage criteria.
• Continued training for staff interpreters as required by the Joint Commission.

Our interpreters can assist in scheduling outpatient appointments and communicate with advice nurses, physicians, social workers, and home health staff.

Trained Medical Interpreters

UC Davis Health provides interpreting services in over 200 languages, including American Sign Language, as well as written translation services. Our mission is to provide clients with a full-range of language-related services of the highest quality and utility, in the most user-friendly manner and at the lowest cost consistent with good value.

We are dedicated to enhancing access to healthcare services for our linguistically and culturally diverse patient population through professional medical interpretation, translation services, and cross-cultural communication.

• Linguistic Competence: Interpreters are screened carefully for linguistic competence. This includes not only fluency in source and target languages, but also the ability to interpret speech from one language to another.
• Accuracy and Completeness: Interpreters are trained to interpret accurately and faithfully, verbal and non-verbal communication. This greatly reduces the risks of omissions, misunderstandings, confusion and frustration, which can occur with untrained interpreters.
• Impartiality: Interpreters are trained not to take sides. Interpreters' own values, beliefs, and opinions will not interfere with the communication process.
• Confidentiality: UC Davis Medical Center Interpreters maintain absolute confidentiality about everything pertaining to an interpretation assignment. Assurance of confidentiality fosters trust and promotes better communication.
• Cultural Bridging: Interpreters will assist with cultural awareness by interpreting messages, values, and assumptions hidden in words. They facilitate cross-cultural communication.
• Professionalism: Interpreters adhere to a strict code of ethics by avoiding conflicts of interest and staying within the limits of their role.
• Training: Interpreters undergo extensive training. Skills and knowledge are enhanced through ongoing professional development activities and membership in professional organizations.