1. How we receive requests for interpreter services?

The Language Bank has the capacity to receive interpreter requests and provide confirmations by using different types of communication.

Telephone:  253-593-6101

The Language Bank has received and confirmed requests by telephone since the beginning of our existence. The telephone lines are open from 8 am until 5 pm Monday through Friday. We do not close for lunch. Toll-free after-hours telephone lines for urgent requests are open at all times when The Language Bank office is closed. We have three incoming and outgoing telephone lines. Over flow calls are routed to our voice mail system. Messages are checked frequently.

Fax:  253-597-6687

The Language Bank has one line dedicated to fax requests. Faxes are received 24-hours a day and reviewed during the business hours. For the convenience of our clients, we have designed The Language Bank Interpreter Fax Requests forms to suit different requestors and are glad to provide new clients with these forms. All the requestors have to do is fill out the necessary fields of the form and fax it to us. We will fax back confirmation with Interpreter Name and tracking number on the form. We will gladly accept faxed requests in any Multicare Health System designed format as long as it provides all required information.

Click here for a request form.

E-Mail (ycosme@tacomacommunityhouse.org)

The Language Bank is also equipped to receive interpreter requests and provide confirmations via e-mail. E-mailed requests can be received 24-hours a day. All e-mail requests are reviewed and processed during the business hours. 

2. Scheduling procedures

The Language Bank interpreters are available to be scheduled for appointments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year.
 
All incoming requests are divided into three categories:

• Same day urgent requests
• Next day requests
• And all other requests
  

The Language Bank staff also checks with requestors if the appointment is gender sensitive or if they have a specific interpreter request. These considerations are taken into account when the search for an interpreter begins.
 
Same day urgent requests are given the most priority and are replied to within 1-120 minutes from the initial contact. The next day requests have the next priority level and are replied to within 4 hours of the initial contact. All other non-urgent requests are answered within 24 hours from the initial contact. Interpreters will arrive on site on the day and time agreed upon during the initial contact.

3.  Information Required To Schedule Interpreters

• Call The Language Bank during business hours
• Fax requests 24 hours a day 7 days a week
• Provide the requested date, time, and anticipated length of service
• Name of patient, language, and phone number (if applicable) of client
• Location of service (physical address)
• Provider name (example: Physician’s name)
• Name and contact number of the individual placing the request