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Provincial Language Service

The Provincial Language Service provides interpreting and translation services to BC health authorities and private physician offices.


What we do

We help organizations provide services to their linguistically and culturally diverse clients including immigrants, refugees, official minority language speakers and members of the deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing community through high-quality interpreting and translation.

 
PLS grew out of the Office for Cross-Cultural Care and Diversity (OCCC). The OCCC provided culturally and linguistically appropriate services at BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre. 

In 2003, the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) created PLS so all PHSA programs and other B.C. health care organizations could benefit from these specialized language services.


 

At Provincial Language Service, quality assurance is a multi-level process embedded in all aspects of our service delivery. Our processes contribute to a culture of continuous improvement of our services and organization.


Provincial Language Service adheres to strict policies and procedures on professional conduct. Any complaint or incident regarding an interpreter, health care program, external customer or Provincial Language Service staff member is documented, investigated and tracked.


Interpreter incident reporting process


In fall 2016, the Provincial Language Service (PLS) initiated a review of the Medical Interpreting Service which provides American Sign Language interpreting for deaf patients to ensure it was best meeting the needs of its stakeholder. A summary report and ASL Translation of the findings has been prepared, and PLS is currently reviewing the report recommendations and determining next steps. Any change to the service will include outreach to the deaf community.


 

PLS is connected to community-based agencies and programs across British Columbia. These partnerships allow PLS to harmoniously connect expertise in service delivery with the specific needs of the local community.

 
Our highly qualified language and customer service specialists have many years of experience working across language and cultures in: 

  • Project management
  • Linguistics
  • Business administration
  • Communications
  • Other related areas


 
More interpreters hired to meet needs of new refugees

In response to Canada’s support of the Syrian refugee crisis, PLS hired and trained additional interpreters dedicated to languages spoken by refugee populations.


Healthy Living guide translation

PLS Translation Services translated a BC Mental Health & Subtance Use Services' popular healthly living guide, Healthy Living...It's in Everyone. The French toolkit is available in print or online to BC families, as well as organizations serving BC's francophone families.


 

The Language Access policy directs PHSA staff on the appropriate use of language services to reduce or eliminate language barriers to optimize the delivery of safe and equitable care. 


Please view the policy by visiting Policies & Procedures under the Workplace Resources section on the PHSA POD intranet site. Note, access to POD is only available from a computer on the appropriate network.


 

We collect your personal information as authorized under section 26(c) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FIPPA") to provide interpreting services to you. We collect your name, address, telephone number and purpose of visit. If you have questions or concerns about how your information is collected or used, you may contact:


Provincial Language Service

Phone number: 604-297-8400

Email: pls@phsa.ca

Content

 

We give high priority to quality assurance and your feedback is important to us. 


Interpreting or translation services: send questions, feedback and concerns to plsqualityassurance@phsa.ca. We are committed to constant improvements in service delivery to all our customers.

Provincial Language Service adheres to strict policies and procedures on professional conduct. Any complaint or incident regarding an interpreter, health care agency, external customer or Provincial Language Service staff member is documented, investigated and tracked: Interpreter incident reporting process.


PHSA facilities: contact the Patient Care Quality Office if your feedback is related to PHSA facilities, staff or services outside of interpreting and translation services.



In the community

Help shape the future of provincial medical Sign language interpreting services in B.C.

Apply for a seat on our provincial Community Advisory Group (CAG).

 We heard your input: developing an efficient and successful model for the delivery of a provincial medical Sign language interpreting service begins with input from the community it is meant to serve. To make that happen, we now need your help! We need your insights and suggestions to ensure that our future services are informed by patients, family members and caregivers' experiences.

 What does a CAG member do?

 As a community advisor you will provide input on:

  • a provincial model of medical Sign language interpreting services;
  • service coordinator job description competencies;
  • service components to be included in the Request for Proposal for provincial medical Sign language interpreting services;
  • and other components that will help ensure appropriate access for the community.

 Who should apply?

We are looking for people with a passion for service improvement, familiarity with community engagement and lived experience or knowledge in medical Sign language interpreting services. We are seeking members who represent the Deaf, Deaf- blind and Hard of Hearing community and will consider demographic and regional diversity in our selection process.

 Sounds interesting? Apply now!

An Expression of Interest can be submitted by interested community member:

1. Via an online application form- Please Click Here

2. By email at: plsgeneral@phsa.ca (addressing all questions in the application); or 

3. By a vlog submission at: plsgeneral@phsa.ca (addressing all questions in the application).

Expression Of Interest Community Advisory Group.pdf

The deadline for submission is July 31, 2019.


Join us
PLS welcomes qualified language professionals to join our team. We offer competitive contracts to our freelance interpreters and translators. As a PLS contractor you will have access to several benefits.

Interpreters 

Benefits:
  • Connection with a network of professionals like yourself
  • Competitive rates
  • Support from PLS Staff
  • Technology to support coordination of your assignments
  • Liability coverage
  • Ongoing professional development opportunities

If you are interested in sending your resume to The Provincial Language Service please email plsapplications@phsa.ca.

Requirements:

Translators 

Benefits:
  • Connection to a network of professionals
  • Competitive rates
  • Support from PLS Staff
  • Coordinated projects
Requirements:
  • Excellent comprehension of written English
  • Excellent command of and writing skill in additional language or languages
  • Professional credentials for translators (i.e. membership in STIBC or other professional organization)
  • Advanced computer literacy

Other language professionals 

PLS engages other language professionals on a contract and as-needed basis. These include bilingual desktop publishers, graphic designers and voice-over talents. To be considered for future contracts, please send a cover letter and your resume by email. 

Feedback

We give high priority to quality assurance and your feedback is important to us. 

Interpreting or translation services: send questions, feedback and concerns to plsqualityassurance@phsa.ca. We are committed to constant improvements in service delivery to all our customers.

Provincial Language Service adheres to strict policies and procedures on professional conduct. Any complaint or incident regarding an interpreter, health care agency, external customer or Provincial Language Service staff member is documented, investigated and tracked: Interpreter incident reporting process.


PHSA facilities: contact the Patient Care Quality Office if your feedback is related to PHSA facilities, staff or services outside of interpreting and translation services. 

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