Medical Interpreter Training
The goal of the Medical Interpreter Training Program is to promote access to healthcare by facilitating and enhancing the communication between patient and provider during a healthcare encounter.
The Medical Interpreter Training (MIT) Program for spoken language interpreters offers a training in which fluently bilingual individuals develop the skills necessary to facilitate effective and reliable interpretation in the clinical setting. The goal of this course is to provide the students with principles, methods, and competencies (both knowledge and skills-based) essential in the delivery of effective, reliable, and comprehensive spoken language interpreting in the clinical and human service field. This course develops a theoretical and practical understanding of the multiple roles of the interpreter as well as the related ethical, cultural, and linguistic challenges in this evolving field. The course explores contemporary issues in the field of medical interpretation including immigration trends, legal mandates, and certification.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA:
In order to be considered for admission into the MIT participants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older, and have a high school diploma or GED
- Be fluently bilingual in a spoken language (be able to speak, read and write in English and target language when applicable)
- Successfully pass the language assessment test with a score of 75 or higher. The test includes an evaluation of both written and oral proficiency in English and the target language. The language assessment test will be administered during orientation.
Please see orientation dates below.
ADMISSION:
In addition to a completed application and pre-registration form, applicants must pass a language assessment to be considered for acceptance in Fundamentals of Medical Interpreting.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION:
Students who complete the course and pass the final assessment receive a certificate of completion.
60 Hour Fall Course: September – December 2023 ~ Live via Zoom Meeting and In Person (Berkshire Community College)
REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 1, 2023 REGISTER HERE
Berkshire AHEC is offering a “Fundamentals of Medical Interpreting” for bilingual and multilingual individuals in Western Massachusetts.
The components of the program include practical applications of fundamental interpreting skills, effective communication in the triad (client-provider-interpreter), listening and memory skills, comprehensive medical terminology in target languages, human anatomy and physiology vital to effective medical interpreting, and methods of interpreting in special settings. Role playing and medical terminology are incorporated into each session.
A certificate of completion is provided upon completing the course and passing the final exam.
ASSESSMENT & CLASS DATES – September 7, 2023 and September 14, 2023 @ 6:00 pm EST and September 9, 2023 @ 8:30 am EST
All registrants must attend an assessment session in order to be eligible for enrollment.
Link will be provided upon registration and 2 days prior to date. Please download Zoom 48 hours prior to this training.
| CLASSES BEGIN | CLASSES END | LOCATION | ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2023
Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday 8:30 – 11:30 AM
|
December 7, 2023 6:00 – 9:00 PM |
Zoom Meeting Livestream | Link details will be provided upon acceptance to the program |
Fall 2022 Flyer: MIT-2023-Fall-Flyer
Fall Schedule: MIT_Schedule_Fall_2023
Language Assessment Fee: $50.00
Non-Refundable Fee
Pre-registration is required at www.berkshireahec.org
September 7, 2023 @ 6:00 pm EST via Zoom meeting / September 9, 2023 @ 8:30 AM via Zoom meeting /September 7, 2023 @6:00 PM via Zoom meeting
| Registration: Click on “Register Here” link on the left, follow the prompts to register for all trainings. |
Medical Interpreter Training Continuing Education Workshops
Advance Medical Interpreting for National Certification – April 11, 2023 through April 27, 2023 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
Flyer: National-Cert-Prep-Course-FLYER_2023
Course overview:
This 18-Hour workshop will provide detail explanation on how to prepare for the national certification. The components of the training include comprehensive information on the code of ethics, standard of practice, CLAS Standards, the roles, and responsibilities of the interpreter, HIPPA, and Medical Terminology. Be able to understand the various illnesses, as well as symptoms characteristic of each body system, understand the terms from English to target language and have the ability to define each term. These are vital to the preparation for the NBCMI & CCHI National Certification written exams. A test of your knowledge assessment will be provided at the beginning of the session and a final assessment will be provided to familiarize the student with the format of the written certification exam.
This 18-Hour workshop will provide detail explanation on how to prepare for the national certification. The components of the training include comprehensive information on the code of ethics, standard of practice, CLAS Standards, the roles, and responsibilities of the interpreter, HIPPA, and Medical Terminology. Be able to understand the various illnesses, as well as symptoms characteristic of each body system, understand the terms from English to target language and have the ability to define each term. These are vital to the preparation for the NBCMI & CCHI National Certification written exams. A test of your knowledge assessment will be provided at the beginning of the session and a final assessment will be provided to familiarize the student with the format of the written certification exam.
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
The Community Interpreter – Professional Training for Community Interpreters
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Improving Maternal Outcomes by Providing Language Access April 26, 2023 @ 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST Virtual Webinar via Zoom
Flyer: Improving Maternal Outcomes by Providing Language Access
Language barriers for people with limited English proficiency (LEP) exist in the perinatal period and postpartum care. Health disparities associated with language barriers include decreased access to quality prenatal care, higher-risk deliveries, disproportionate obstetric trauma, and increased postpartum depression. One way to address the cultural, societal, and family norms of childbirth is to include a certified medical interpreter (CM I) as part of the team. Working together a healthcare team that includes a CM I can reduce disparities, improve outcomes, and improve satisfaction for LEP persons. This training will address the systematic changes a culturally competent team can make to improve maternal health and reduce infant mortality.
Interpreting Challenges vs. Challenging the Interpreter: From Interruptions to Rare Medical terminology
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
The job of the medical interpreter offers multiple challenges. The interpreter is constantly adapting to and facing those challenges head on without warning. From maintaining register to finding the appropriate meaning, to understanding the cultural implications behind words, the interpreter is constantly striving for accuracy to render the best possible interpretation despite those multiple challenges.
This workshop presents actual case studies and will allow participants to be part of those challenges via live scenarios (Spanish <> English) and discussion of the possible options to have a successful outcome and maintain the clinical importance of the session.
Scenarios presented will vary depending on time allotted.
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Interpreting for Cancer Care –
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
What is this? Cancer care can be a complex process involving multidisciplinary teams and a variety of diagnostic procedures and treatment options. When interpreting in cancer care, interpreters may encounter highly specialized vocabulary, explanations of complex concepts and procedures, not to mention difficult to pronounce medication names. Communication between a cancer care team and a LEP patient may be further complicated by cultural differences in understanding what cancer is and in expectations of what happens when a patient is diagnosed with cancer. Interpreters need to be aware of the language they might encounter in a cancer care appointments as well as challenges specific to interpreting in oncological settings.
This 4-hour workshop will provide an overview of cancer as a group of diseases, common oncology terms, types of cancer and related anatomy and physiology, symptomatology, diagnostic procedures, common treatments and their side effects as well as challenges that interpreters face when interpreting for cancer care. The participants will be provided with handouts which will include a copy of the PowerPoint Presentation, a glossary, written practice and role-playing exercises. The workshop will be interactive and allow the participants to review the material through group activities and oral interpreting practice.
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Build and Improve your Trainer Skills
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Interpreting for Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
An Introduction to Palliative Care for Health Care Interpreters
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
¿TU ME ESTAS HABLANDO A MI? El lenguaje inclusivo en el español – SPANISH WORKSHOP – ONLINE
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Demystifying: A Rape & Sexual Assault Encounter for Medical Interpreters
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Essentials of Pharmacology
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Medical Interpreter Training for Geriatric Patients
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
INTERPRETING FOR PRENATAL GENETICS
ONLINE COURSE Date TBD
Online through ZOOM Platform
(Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the workshop after successful registration and payment)
Why interpreters are needed to convey adequate communication.
For More Information:
Contact Silvana Kirby at (413) 842-5160
TAHIT Public Service Announcement from TAHIT on Vimeo.
The following program is not available for LMHC credit hours.