8. Continuing Professional Development

Principle

Interpreters engage in continuing professional development in order to achieve and maintain the highest levels of performance and to successfully adapt to changing circumstances and technology.

Objective

To continue striving for the highest level of competence and professional practice.

Description

Healthcare Interpreters practice their profession in a highly complex and specialized setting, and navigate multilayered, dynamic, intercultural, social interactions. Interpreters also need to keep abreast of the ongoing technical, scientific, developments, and changes that affect the field of medicine. Interpreters need to be aware of the development of technologies that affect interpretation.

Standards of Practice

8.1 Regularly evaluate our own performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement to guide ongoing development. 8.2 Continue to develop interpreting skills, including skills in different modalities. 8.3 Actively pursue continuing development of linguistic and sociocultural knowledge including the culture of medicine. 8.4 Participate in activities that develop ethical judgment and reasoning skills. 8.5 Recognize that constructive feedback is fundamental for professional growth. 8.6 Support the professional development of fellow interpreters. 8.7 Participate in professional organizations and contribute to the growth and development of our profession. 8.8 Stay informed about advancements in technology and assess how these developments may influence our work, tools, and professional practices. 8.9 Engage in effective collaboration with all the professionals with whom we interact.