Medical Language Access and Interpreter Services

Qualified medical interpreters are offered free of charge to all patients and their companions.  Medical interpreter services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

• For urgent interpreter services, contact the UConn Health Operators at 860-679-2626.
• For non-urgent requests, contact the Interpreter Services office at 860-679-2289 or email Mandy Garner at mgarner@uchc.edu.

To access qualified telephone interpreting services for limited English proficient (LEP) persons, you can access one of two vendors:

Language Link for UConn John Dempsey Hospital or UConn Medical Group services: 

To contact Language Link from any phone or Volte:

Step 1: Call 1-888-338-7394.

Step 2: Enter account number 29094 followed by #.

Step 3: Select whether a 3rd party call is needed.

Step 4: Select the language by entering the corresponding number.

Step 5: Enter the department code using the phone keypad:

• UConn John Dempsey Hospital #534
• UConn Medical Group #864.

To access the service provider, Cyracom, you can use the blue and dual-handset preprogrammed phones. Follow the step-by-step phone instructions to connect to a qualified interpreter. If you need help, please feel free to contact the UConn Health Operators for connection through any standard phone or outbound calls.

Video Remote Interpreter (VRI) devices also offer access to an interpreter for spoken languages (video and audio only) and Sign Language. A list of the VRI device locations and designees is available for each area. If you need help, please contact the UConn Health Operators.

Dental Language Access and Interpreter Services

For patients being seen in the dental clinics or dental emergency room in the main building during regular business hours, a video remote interpreter is offered, or an in-person interpreter can be scheduled.

After hours, weekends, and holidays, follow the Emergency Department protocol for obtaining an interpreter since the patient is seen by a medical clinician with a dental resident only as needed.

For further information on dental interpreting requests, contact Heather Sperry at 860-679-3635 or 860-294-6630 (cell).

Additional Information for Both Medical and Dental Interpreter Services

• Interpreters Language Access Policy
• For patients whose documented Preferred Language is not English or Nonverbal:
• Informed Consent must be signed with a qualified interpreter present. No exceptions.
• Do NOT communicate medical information without a qualified interpreter unless the “Risks of Declining” are provided in their preferred language and documented.
• Do NOT ask Deaf/Hard of Hearing persons to lipread or communicate by writing without their expressed request.
• Minors and non-qualified staff are prohibited from interpreting except in the event of an emergent medical situation.
• Translation of written documents must be done through certified vendors.
• For a list of video remote interpreter locations, see the policy. Designees for each location are available through the operators.
• Don’t rely on writing to communicate medical information effectively with patients or companions whose preferred language is sign language.