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Why use an agency?

Advantages to using an agency

Use of an agency to schedule interpreter services provides many cost saving advantages. For a minimal booking fee, the agency is able to coordinate complicated aspects of interpreter services, thus eliminating the need to deal with those time consuming concerns. For example, the agency can:

Make sure that qualified interpreters are available. Our agency has provided interpreters in 79 different languages.

Recruit interpreters as necessary. This includes covering changing needs as they develop
- The demand for a particular language may increase or decrease
- Interpreters enter and leave the field causing gaps in availability
- A language may be requested for the first time
Screen interpreters to determine their work status, qualifications, reliability, etc.
Train interpreters as to what is expected of them
Retrain interpreters as necessary
Eliminate an interpreter if they have a record of inadequate service
Provide ongoing training and a forum in which interpreters can discuss their concerns, share their experiences and learn from each other

Work directly with the interpreters

Work with new interpreters as they experience the learning curve
Correct any mistakes interpreters may make or any misunderstandings they may have as to what is expected of them
Handle problems or complaints regarding a specific interpreter
Negotiate the various cultural issues that arise with interpreters from other countries
Deal with the unique issues that accompany certain language groups, political groups, religious groups, etc.

Negotiate fluctuations in demand and deal with all scheduling issues

One of the main advantages of using an agency is that the agency batches together requests for work in different languages and distributes that work among a group of interpreters in a fair manner.
- Dividing up the work equitably assures that enough interpreters of any given language are available to meet the fluctuations in demand
- Distributing the available work fairly involves weighing various factors including interpreters' individual availability, length of service, unique abilities such as the ability to interpret simultaneously, etc.
- Providing individual interpreters with as much work as possible prevents interpreters from leaving the field for more lucrative or more consistent work opportunities
The agency deals with interpreter cancellations as they arise. An interpreter may experience a last minute emergency, an unexpected conflict, a mechanical breakdown on the way to an appointment, etc. The agency fields these problems and spends whatever time is necessary to find a replacement and cover the clients' needs
The agency juggles the availability of interpreters sparing the client the need to be aware of interpreter's individual vacation schedules, days when unavailable, maternity and sick leave, etc.
The agency works toward cost efficiency for the court by instructing interpreters to be prepared to handle more than one case per appearance whenever necessary

Additional advantages to working with an agency

An agency can handle all requests in an efficient, cost effective manner
An agency is structured to accommodate last minute requests at no extra charge to the client
An agency can provide a convenient method for ordering services and confirmation of bookings
An agency can devise a billing system which accommodates the client's needs including the required documentation for each case
An agency can provide record keeping such as:
- tracking of cases
- tracking the number of requests per language, per person, etc.
- tracking the increases or decreases in demand
- record keeping of problems or concerns
An agency deals with the unique issues that accompany certain language, political and/or religious groups

Next : Criteria for choosing interpreters

6260 Highway 65 NE, Suite 308; Minneapolis MN 55432
tel:763.572.9711; fax:763.571.3467; best@betmar.com