International Language Services - Chicago, Illinois

Yubizaly Lopez

The interpreters training courses at ILS are amazing. I was privileged of having Karen, Elvira and Matthew as trainers. They covered important theoretical, technical, and ethical issues that enabled me to be a qualified interpreter ready to cover the Health System needs and, maybe, pursue my certification. The Dispatchers are very cooperative and organized, excellent people!. As a physician coming from abroad, I feel very happy to help patients and providers to effectively communicate with each other. I bet for the continued success of ILS, and for having the opportunity to help their growth if it were possible.

Tahnya Rooney

I have been with International Language Services since 2009, when I first trained with them and received my Certificate for Healthcare Interpreter. I had a very positive training experience. I have found the Management Team to be highly professional and ethical in their practice of medical interpretation. They have given me great experiences over the years in communicating with patients and medical professionals to assist in quality patient care. Due to my training at ILS, I moved forward to obtain my CCHI - Certification in Healthcare Interpretation. I plan to remain with ILS, as I receive many great opportunities with them and I feel the organization is very dedicated to the communication of patient's healthcare needs and their medical professionals.

Meg Szostak

In my nearly 24 year interpreting/translating career, with recent 3 working nearly exclusively for ILS, I have not experienced such level of work assignments consistency and support toward interpreters/translators. Even though, I had a long prior experience, I opted to take the certification class offered by ILS and highly recommend it; it was a fantastic and an educational class, great resource for later reference, or, as in my case, a great refresher and a way of making certain I stay on top of newest requirements and opportunities.
It is a blessing to love one’s job and in that I have been blessed, having ILS “have my back” is a double blessing!

Jacek Swidnicki

I joined ILS in 2004. If anyone wants to become healthcare interpreter my advise is -join ILS because it is second to none if the quality of interpreters training is concerned. I belong to the group of interpreters who were trained by Karen Rushke. I will always admire and remember her professionalism as a teacher and her friendly attitude. I’ve experienced respect and appreciation from ILS for my cooperation and services.I was always paid on time and had full support from the agency when it was needed. ILS requires from interpreters highest standards of services because they are adequate trained .As many other experienced interpreters I help sometimes in training of candidates and also evaluate their skills during process of interpretation on site. I have learned that sometimes candidates can not perform the way it is expected. Some candidates do not realize they’re not mentally fit to work as healthcare interpreters and they give up. Some fail their three (3) evaluations and money they invested in training are lost.

Elvira Hohl-Collins

I have on occasion conducted training at ILS. International Language services offers training courses and also provides work to interpreters upon completion of the required course work. Their quality and professionalism standards are very high and are based on the requirements of the Health Care Industry. I believe they are the leader in Medical interpreting due to the quality of their interpreters. The interpreting business like all businesses, has its ups and downs and dependent on many economic and regulatory conditions.

Tong Fang

I remember Gabriela was my instructor when I was taking the course and she’s really thorough at the materials. It was a great course getting me introduced to the hospital settings: ethically and professionally. The schedule has always been flexible that I can arrange according to my itinerary.

DANIEL C.

This is a complaint to the interpreter (name "Tong Fang" or 方同) from International Language Service.

I don't like this man since I was in patient's ward last year, this young man only showed up right after I talked with my doctor and seemed only want my doctor to sign for him. I didn't have idea why was a RANDOM MAN showed up to my room and just wanting my doctor's signature. Later I realized he might get money (or credit?) from this.

Later I became an outpatient, this man showed up in the waiting room with a plastic cold drink cup in hand and keep drinking until doctor came into the room. He even just put his cup on the ground in front of us. Showed totally disrespectful and unprofessional.

Ok, he is an interpreter(?), So we should focus on his professional skill, right? However, I personally think I can do better than he based on his performance. In short, this interpreter(?) is NO USE TO ME. I strongly felt that he only care about doctor or nurse's signature on his form. I don't like he get benefit from my(or other patient maybe) appointment without doing anything but I don't know how to get rid of this guy. I only told the nurse at counter that I don't need a interpreter anymore.

This May, he showed up in my outpatient appointment again just like a nightmare. I couldn't help myself asked his name( because he never greeting to patient first so I also wondering if International language Service has a service SOP) , where he from and hoping he could aware that he is not welcome to me(a patient).

Today, when I entering the hospital's outpatient room. You know what, this guy was already there. (Now this has become a scary movie)
I couldn't believe because I called twice before this to confirm that I won't see any interpreter(especially this guy) but he can still showed up in front of me.

He was fast this time. When I starting complaint to nurse, he didn't say anything but just asked nurse to sign for him and ran away. (fast as a cockroach)

This interpreter annoy to patient(me) and hope the International Language Service aware about this.

Amit Thakkar

Nice place to learn Healthcare Interpretation and subsequent get hired based on ur native language. Can not forget ever smiling face of the trainer Mr Mathews....!!