Translation and Interpretation Services for Research

Translations

What

All translations of documents must be certified by a qualified translator or approved vendor who is deemed as an "acceptable translator" by the IRB, based on the nature and level of risk involved in the research study.

Refer to the PPHS Policy on Translated Consents & Short Forms or visit the PPHS website for guidelines on acceptable translators and certifications.

Short Form Consents 

In an event that an investigator unexpectedly encounters a Non-English Speaking subject, several pre-approved translations of the Short Form Consent Document along with an English sample are available from the PPHS office for use.

Spanish Short Form Consents - Not Available: Given the large number of Spanish speaking persons in the areas served by the Institution, a Short Form Consent Documents in Spanish is not available and will not be approved. It is the IRB’s expectation that a Spanish translation of the Long Form Consent Documents will be utilized with this subject population.

Who

The Mount Sinai Hospital Language Assistance Program (LAP) coordinates translation services.

Email: LAP or #LanguageServices_MSH

Phone: (212) 659-8990 or x88990, M-F 9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.

When

Submit the request for translation by sending the original source file (Word or other editable format) once the document is considered final.

How

Requests for a quote can be made by emailing LAP or #LanguageServices_MSH, providing the source documents in editable format (not PDF) and indicating the language(s) for translation. Payment can be made by providing your 12-digit funding code. There is no need to create a separate Purchase Order. Language Services will process an internal recharge to the department or project funding code once the invoice is received.

Interpretation Services (Oral Translations)

What

For studies where Non-English Speaking Subjects (or Non-English Speaking parents of a potential child subject/agents of an incapacitated adult) of a particular language group are not expected in a significant number, but are encountered upon rare occasion, investigators may rely on oral interpretations of the consent document.

Refer to the PPHS Policy on Translated Consents & Short Forms or visit the PPHS website for policies, procedures and requirements related to Oral Translations.

Who

The Mount Sinai Hospital provides interpretation services to patients via approved vendors. These services are not necessarily free to researchers and investigators. The cost for translation and interpretation services must be contemplated in the study budget planning. The Language Assistance Program can assist investigators to:

  • Set up a dedicated over-the-phone or video interpretation access code for the study purpose;
  • Arrange for in-person interpreter (spoken languages or ASL), when requested in advance

Payment for these services can be made by providing your 12 digit funding code. The cost of the interpretation services will be recharged to your funds on the next financial cycle.

Interpreters Must be Institutionally Approved

Interpreters must meet institutional standards and must be approved as an interpreter through the Hospital policy or approved vendor. Interpreters in any modality (in-person, phone, or video), whether staff or from an approved vendor, must be qualified to provide the service in accordance with Hospital policy definition.

Professional Medical Interpreter:
Individual with appropriate training and experience in medical interpreting who is able to interpret consistently and accurately in a health-care context. This professional functions in accordance with medical interpreting standards of practice and adheres to a code of professional ethics. Family members or friends of the subject, research coordinators, etc. are not permitted to serve as the interpreter. Refer to the PPHS Policy on Translated Consents & Short Forms or visit the PPHS website for policies, procedures and requirements related to Oral Translations.

How

Mount Sinai Hospital: To obtain interpretation services via over-the-phone, follow the process outlined in The Mount Sinai Hospital Policy, and use your own access code, as well as the PPHS procedures for research studies provided in the PPHS Policy on Translated Consents & Short Forms. You can also visit the PPHS website for further information on other guidelines and policies.

Questions - Contact the Language Assistance Program (LAP) at (212) 659-8990 (MSH Campus) and (718) 267-4273 (MSQ).

Elmhurst Hospital Center: To obtain interpretation services, refer to the HHC Administrative Policy and Procedure ADM 30 as well as the PPHS Policy on Translated Consents & Short Forms or the PPHS website.

Queens Hospital Center: To obtain interpretation services, refer to the HHC Administrative Policy and Procedure ADM 30 as well as the PPHS Policy on Translated Consents & Short Forms or the PPHS website.

Questions - Contact the Language Assistance Program (LAP) at (212) 659-8990 (MSH Campus) and (718) 267-4273 (MSQ).

NYEE: Contact the Language Assistance Program (LAP) at (212) 979-4093.

MSBI: Contact the Language Assistance Program (LAP) at (212) 844-8555.

MSSL: Contact the Language Assistance Program (LAP) at (212) 523-2187.

MSW: Contact the Language Assistance Program (LAP) at (212) 523-2187.

MSB: Contact the Language Assistance Program (LAP) at (718) 951-3005.

Spanish Translations for NIH Funded Projects

What

All translations of documents must be certified by a qualified translator or approved vendor who is deemed as an "acceptable translator" by the IRB, based on the nature and level of risk involved in the research study.

Refer to the PPHS Policy on Translated Consents & Short Forms or visit the PPHS website for guidelines on acceptable translators and certifications.

Short Form Consents 

In an event that an investigator unexpectedly encounters a Non-English Speaking subject, several pre-approved translations of the Short Form Consent Document along with an English sample are available from the PPHS office for use.

Spanish Short Form Consents - Not Available: Given the large number of Spanish speaking persons in the areas served by the Institution, a Short Form Consent Documents in Spanish is not available and will not be approved. It is the IRB’s expectation that a Spanish translation of the Long Form Consent Documents will be utilized with this subject population.

Who

The Office of Research Services provides Spanish Translation Services for NIH-funded studies. All submitted requests will be reviewed individually by the ORS team. The study team will be notified within three business days whether their request for translation has been accepted. Please note that we do not translate copyrighted materials. An attestation stating translations are completed by native Spanish speakers will be provided.

When 

Turnaround times for Spanish translations vary depending on the length and complexity of the document. Generally, shorter documents, such as one-page ads, are completed more quickly than longer documents, like 10-page informed consent forms.

How 

To request a Spanish translation, please submit a ticket request via the Research 411 Portal and provide your documents in non-protected format.

Research 411 Portal

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