Introduction and Expectations

Introduction and Expectations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twINuqacDdY

Becoming a professional medical interpreter is a learned and skilled-based process.  Language Bank Training for medical interpreters was designed for those willing to pursue a career as an interpreter in a medical field.  It is a fine-tuned bilingual medical interpreting training aimed at reducing health care costs and raising patient safety as well as provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge any interpreter needs to have in order to effectively assist in the communication between the patient and provider. This high quality training will help you to achieve the competency and skill needed in real life assignments and will prepare you with the theoretic, linguistic and procedural backgrounds necessary to comply with the Medical Interpreting Standards of Practice.

The Language Bank Training is a 60-hour course that exceeds the minimum 40-hour of training required by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). Our comprehensive curriculum uses realistic role-plays and lively discussions so interpreters develop the skills and knowledge base they need to deliver accurate and complete interpretation in health care settings. Through this training, participants will have the opportunity to work on medical vocabulary with a language-specific coach (as long as there is a coach available for a particular language)

Expectations

In order to help students through the training, we have created some expectations to be used as guidelines for success.

  • Computer must have audio and video capabilities, including an integrated or external web camera for the live sessions.
  • Plan and set aside time with a regular schedule to complete the course
  • Ensure you have good internet connectivity to ensure your homework gets uploaded
  • Find a quiet place/room you can be alone to concentrate and work on the course
  • Complete all lessons in order and successfully pass each of the lessons quizzes
  • Complete all homework readings and projects
  • Participate in all Live discussions/exercises/projects as they are scheduled
  • Complete both final written and oral assessments successfully

Course suggested materials

  • Medical dictionary (preferable a bi-lingual medical dictionary)
  • Human Body: An Illustrated Guide to Every Part of the Human Body and How it Works. By: Martin Page (Author) – Publisher: DK; 1 edition (June 13, 2001) ISBN-10: 9780789479884
  • Quick Study Laminated Reference Guide – Anatomy. By: Vincent Perez. Publisher: Bar Charts Publishing, Inc (2011)  ISBN-10: 142321734-9 (Dimensions: 8.5 x 11)

Assessments

Midterm Assessment (1.5 hrs.) 

The midterm is a written assessment that will take place on day 6. It includes:

  • Medical Vocabulary
  • High/low register of medical terms
  • Body system diagrams – match
  • Definitions of medical terms
  • Ethics /Interpreting logistics – Multiple choice questions

You must receive a 75% score to pass. Trainees will not be allowed to step away from the computer during the exam. The proctoring process will be explain prior to the test.

Final Assessments

Part One: Written Assessment (2 hrs.)

The written final assessment will be conducted on the last day of the course. It includes:

  • Medical Vocabulary
    • High/low register of medical terms
    • Body system diagrams – match
  • Definitions of medical terms
  • Ethics / Interpreting logistics – Interpreting scenarios and short answers

Trainees will not be allowed to step away from the computer during the exam. The proctoring process will be explain prior to the test. If in-person, trainees will not be allowed to leave the room in the middle of the exam.

Part Two: Oral Assessment

The oral assessment will be conducted over the phone by a third party tester. Candidate must reach a score of 75% or greater on the written final in order for the oral assessment score to be considered.  This is a 30-minute medical encounter (role-play) with sight-where general medical terminology and interpreting skills are evaluated:

  • Interpreting errors – omissions, additions, mistakes, and distortions.
  • Transparency – repetitions/clarifications

Overall flow of communication and management of the session

Trainer Contact Information

Photo of Alexandra Baer
Instructor Contact Information:
 
Trainer: Alexandra Baer, CMI-Spanish
Email: AMesquita-Baer@thelanguagebank.org
Office Hours:  M-F 8am-5pm; I regularly check my email