Nabs Policy And Procedure For Interpreter Bookings

NABS will make all reasonable efforts to provide an interpreter based on the Auslan user's choice, utilising local interpreters as a first preference where possible. NABS can be contacted for a list of locally available interpreters.

This will include interpreting services for deaf adults and deaf children, and accommodate situations where there is a deaf adult and hearing chills or hearing adult and deaf child attending a private medical consultation.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience of Interpreters

Only NAATI accredited interpreters at Paraprofessional (formerly level 2) and Professional Interpreter (formerly level 3) levels are to be contracted and used by the service. It is expected that these interpreters will have experience/skills in interpreting in health and medical situations.

Interpreter Preferences

Where ever possible the interpreter for the consultation must be provided based on the personal preferences of the Auslan user. The Auslan user is to be offered the choice of selecting an interpreter based on past experiences, gender and level of accreditation.

Where a deaf Auslan user has not specified a preference efforts should be made by the Booking Service to determine any requirements that the person may have. If such efforts are unsuccessful then accredited same gender interpreters should be the determining matching criteria.

Where the Auslan Booking Service is unable to meet the requirements of the Auslan user they must offer the choice to:

• Proceed with the consultation and have any available interpreter attend
• Reschedule the consultation for a date when the original preferred interpreter is available or
• Withdraw the booking request

Booking of Appointments

The Auslan Booking Service is for specified private medical and health consultations only.

The standard engagement for an interpreter will be 1.5 hours. Appointments in excess of two hours will be in exceptional circumstances only.

Requests for interpreters can be made by medical services. Upon receiving a request the NABS bookings clerk will engage an interpreter and contact all parties to confirm the appointment.

Changes to Appointment Times/Cancellation Policy

In the case of a medical practitioner becoming unavailable to attend an appointment or needs to change the appointment time, notification to the NABS booking clerk must be made immediately.

The booking service will ensure that all parties are notified of any cancellation or change.

Complaints/Feedback Mechanism

All feedback should be directed to the National Administrator.

Service Standards

NABS is to consider and apply as appropriate the standards for access, availability, communications, and respecting the rights and needs of customers as specified in codes of conduct and practice for the relevant professional group. NABS must ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Personnel Conduct and Behavior

NABS is responsible for the conduct of all service provider personnel and will ensure that personnel are appropriately qualified, pleasant, courteous and professional in the performance of their duties. Contract interpreters are required to adhere to the relevant Codes of Ethics for interpreters as outlined by AUSIT and ASLIA National. Full versions of these codes can be obtained from AUSIT and ASLIA