NSGCIS Community Interpreting
Orion is the only auditing firm specializing in the language industry in North America.
We work with over 300 language service companies and have been supporting Languages Canada members for over 10 years. We are currently the only firm endorsed by three language industry associations to audit their membership and offer certification to most of the commonly requested language industry standards.
What is the NSGCIS Community Interpreting Standard?
The National Standards Guide for Community Interpreting Services (NSGCIS) was created by the Healthcare Interpretation Network (HIN) in 2007 in collaboration with Critical Link Canada, the Language Industry Association of Canada (now the Canadian Language Industry Association), and the Association of Canadian Corporations in Translation and Interpretation.
Its primary goal is to ensure consistency in the interpretation services provided in the health, government, legal, educational, and social services sectors. It not only promotes uniformity in processes and requirements for Interpretation Service Providers (ISPs), but also establishes ethical principles that are specifically relevant to interpretation services.
The NSGCIS provides clear and consistent definitions of the characteristics and competencies that qualified IPSs must possess (whether they be organizations or individuals). These indicators can be used for assessment, hiring, training, and ongoing performance monitoring purposes. From an ethical perspective, conforming to these interpretation standards ensures that interpreters maintain a neutral and factual role in offering reliable interpretation services.
Our Experience with NSGCIS
Our vast and lengthy experience means that we truly know and understand the language industry, including its typical processes, software, and industry terminology. As a result, our auditing services are efficient and effective, and we will work with you to establish mutual goals up front to make sure your needs are fully met. If you are looking to certify to multiple standards, we also provide integrated audits so you can achieve certification to multiple standards in one audit (e.g. ISO17100 / CGSB 131.10 / ISO 9001), ultimately saving you both time and money. We also give back to the language industry by sponsoring industry events and providing free webinars on standards.
Why Work with Orion on NSGCIS?
Orion Assessment Services is a third-party certification company. Because we have actively supported and certified language organizations for over 15 years, we are well known and globally-recognized for our quality audit services and integrity.
Within the language industry, Orion has provided more audits for standards certifications than any other North American firm.
We are the only firm able to certify to all the following Language Industry Standards:
ISO 18841 – Interpreting Services
Why not combine your NSGCIS audit with ISO 17100, CGSB 131.10 or any of the standards listed above?
Breakdown of the Standard
The standard is composed of the following main sections:
Interpreter’s Qualifications
Defines the competency requirements for the interpreter, which include linguistic competency, interpersonal skills, research, and technical competence.
Responsibilities of Clients
Ensures purchasers of Interpreting Service understand their responsibilities. Information in this section should be clearly communicated.
Responsibility of Interpreting Service Providers
Highlights information that the ISP should provide to both the customer and interpreters to ensure all assignment requirements are known.
Role and Responsibility of Interpreters
Specifies what rules the interpreter must follow when delivering interpretation, which include abiding by the LITP Standards of Practice, Ethical Principles, and ensuring they do not accept work for which they are not competent.
Overview of the Audit Process
Orion Assessment Services can assist your organization in achieving certification from the initial application request, and through to the required stages which include:
Step 1:
Submit Application
Submit Application
This will serve as your agreement with Orion. The terms and conditions must be signed and returned to Orion along with any required deposit.
Step 2:
Book Your Audit
Book Your Audit
Determine a mutually agreeable time with your assigned auditor.
Step 3:
Audit Conducted
Audit Conducted
The audit is conducted to ensure the system is implemented according to the requirements of the standard. The key deliverables from this stage include the onsite review report detailing positive aspects, weaknesses and areas for improvement and the recommendation regarding your certification. If there are any issues, they must be closed within the required timeline.
Step 4:
Certification Review
Certification Review
The results from the audit are assessed by a senior auditor to
ensure a proper recommendation has been made. At this point, approval is given to issue a certificate.
Step 5:
Receive Your Certificate
Receive Your Certificate
The deliverable from this stage is the certificate.
Step 6:
Maintenance Review
Maintenance Review
Every two years, Orion must conduct an onsite review to verify the management system continues to be maintained within the organization.
Step 1:
Submit Application
This will serve as your agreement with Orion. The terms and conditions must be signed and returned to Orion along with any required deposit.
Step 2:
Book Your Audit
Determine a mutually agreeable time with your assigned auditor.
Step 3:
Audit Conducted
The audit is conducted to ensure the system is implemented according to the requirements of the standard. The key deliverables from this stage include the onsite review report detailing positive aspects, weaknesses and areas for improvement and the recommendation regarding your certification. If there are any issues, they must be closed within the required timeline.
Step 4:
Certification Review
The results from the audit are assessed by a senior auditor to
ensure a proper recommendation has been made. At this point, approval is given to issue a certificate.
Step 5:
Receive Your Certificate
The deliverable from this stage is the certificate.
Step 6:
Maintenance Review
Every two years, Orion must conduct an onsite review to verify the management system continues to be maintained within the organization.