Language Link’s Medical Interpreter Training (MIT) Program, a college credit bearing, career pipeline initiative, offers a medical interpreter training program 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 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.
Teaching Methodology
Students will obtain problem-solving and critical thinking skills in course materials through the following:
- Lecture
- Power Point Presentations
- Demonstration
- Written Assignments
- Case Scenarios
- Role Play of triadic/quad encounters
- Group discussions
Goal
The goal of the MIT program is to train competent, bilingual medical interpreters who will promote access to quality health care by:
- Enhancing the therapeutic relationship between patient and provider;
- Facilitating communication during the health care encounter for meaning and understanding; and
- Incorporating awareness of and respect for cultural perspectives.
Objectives
Trainees will be able to:
- Describe and demonstrate adherence to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA, formerly the Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association, or MMIA) and the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC);
- Explain and apply each of the four main roles of the medical interpreter (conduit, message clarifier, cultural broker, patient advocate);
- Acquire and use essential medical terminology and vocabulary in English and the target language;
- Function effectively in the triadic encounter across multiple settings; and
- Function effectively as an integral member of the health care team
Prerequisites
- Proficiency and fluency in written and oral English
- Proficiency and fluency in at least one other non-English language and culture
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Successful completion of language assessment test that includes an evaluation of both oral and written proficiency in English and target language.
Contact
Martha Benitez
Director of Language Link Interpreter Services
Office: (508) 556-1341
Flavia Perry
Coordinator of Language Link Interpreter Services
Office: (508) 556-1333