EMPLOYEE LANGUAGE SKILLS
SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL
Dear Physician:
The attached self-assessment tool is provided as a resource to assist you in identifying language skills and
resources existing in your health care setting. This voluntary tool will provide a basic and subjective idea of
the bilingual capabilities of your staff. This screening tool is not meant to meet the CA Language
Assistance Program law requirements.
You may distribute the tool to all your clinical and non-clinical employees using their non-English
language skills in the workplace. The information collected may be used as a first step to improve
communication with your diverse patient base.
You may wish to write an introductory note along the following lines:
“We are committed to maintaining our readiness to serve the needs of our
patients. Many of our employees could use their skills in languages other than
English.
We are compiling information about resources available within our work
force. Please complete and return this survey to <department/contact> no later
than <date>.
This survey will not affect your performance evaluation. It is just a way for us
to improve our customer service, and to make you part of such efforts.
Thank you for your assistance.”
Once bilingual staff have been identified, they should be referred to professional language assessment
agencies to evaluate the level of proficiency. There are many sources that will help you assess the bilingual
capacity of staff.
Depending on their level of confirmed fluency, your practice would be able to make use of this added value
to help your practice better communicate with your patients in the client’s language of preference.
B-09-04 (pg 1 of 3) B-09-04 (pg. 2 of 3)
Employee Language Skills Self Assessment Key
Key Spoken Language
(1) Satisfies elementary needs and minimum courtesy requirements. Able to understand and respond to
2-3 word entry-level questions. May require slow speech and repetition.
(2) Meets basic conversational needs