Interpreting Foundations (for English <> Spanish spoken language interpreters)

Teacher/Student ratio: Maximum 12-15 students per instructor.

Approval Letter from OHA Dated October 21, 2020

Helen Eby, owner of Gaucha Translations, taught eight sessions of medical interpreter training between 2014 and 2016. In 2020, she returns focusing on language-specific training in Spanish. Her graduates reported being well-received when they introduced themselves in job interviews, being well-prepared for assignments, and being equipped for certification exams. Some interpreting skills portions of this program are taught in person for better pedagogy. 

This program is language-specific (Spanish) and has a strong focus on all three modes of interpreting (consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation). It also covers on the spot translation.

Since not all programs cover on the spot translation or simultaneous interpreting, it could be appropriate for certified interpreters who wish to hone their skills.

This program has three components:

  • Interpreting ethics. We study interpreting ethics in the context of all the areas of interpreting practice. We also cover court interpreting ethics, because interpreters practice in other fields at some point.
  • Interpreting skills. We cover interpreting skills in healthcare and an introduction to legal interpreting, since interpreters who work in rural areas are often called to work in a variety of fields. The standards of accuracy are the same for both, and the risks of an inaccurate interpreting session are higher in the medical field than in the courts. Therefore, applying court interpreting accuracy standards to medical role plays is helpful.
  • Terminology. We also study court terminology, since interpreters may work in more than one field. The key component of this segment of the course is terminology research.

Instructional objectives

  • Develop interpreting skills for passing the oral certification exam.
  • Develop personal research skills in medical terminology to prepare interpreters for passing the written certification exam.
  • Learn ethical values and principles from the applicable codes of ethics in the Pacific Northwest, including the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care, WA State Department of Health and Human Services Code of Professional Conduct for Interpreters, Translators and LAPL, the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Oregon Courts, and the code of ethics from the ASTM F2089 – 15 Standard Practice for Language Interpreting Code of Professional Conduct, in preparation for passing the written certification exam.
  • Meet HIPAA Business Associate Certification requirements.

Health note

  • Segments that can be taught online will be taught online (ethics, terminology, and some portions of interpreting skills)
  • Segments that have to be taught in person will be taught in small groups, following guidelines from the Oregon Health Authority and the World Health Organization. 
  • There will be no more than 12 participants per instructor. There will be enough space for participants to spread out during practice and not hear each other practice to the point of distraction. This is helpful in the context of social distancing and small group events. 
  • We will attempt to practice interpreting skills using the equipment court interpreters use to get social distancing in their settings, so interpreters can explore the use of professional equipment from the first day. This consists of portable transmitters and receivers. We will also practice telephonic interpreting.

Regarding online sessions

  • Attendance will be tracked through GoTo Training. Though sessions are recorded, only sessions attended in person will be counted as present.
  • Participants will have access to a Slack group and an online file sharing system (Sharefile) where recordings will be shared for further reference. Listening to the recordings does not replace class participation. Sharefile is HIPAA compliant.
  • There will be a 10 minute break in the middle of each online session to enhance the ability to participate. Sessions are interactive and require the participation of all attendees. They are not lectures. The instructor will note participation in Slack and in sessions on an evaluation chart.

Regarding in person sessions

  • Some skills are taught in person because the instructor considers this the best way to teach skills.
  • Modes of delivery of interpreting services will be explored in this training. Participants will explore the use of equipment used in court settings, their ability to interpret over the phone, and the potential use of other platforms. These issues will be explored as participants are strong in their basic skills.
  • Skills will be constantly evaluated with an established rubric.

Admissions requirements

Participants must demonstrate having met language proficiency and educational requirements for Oregon Qualified Healthcare Interpreters.

Based on in-depth interactions with Language Testing International staff at conferences and ASTM meetings, Gaucha Translations recommends their services for language proficiency testing. Gaucha Translations recommends the testing process delineated in this post and requires that applicants demonstrate having met the education and language proficiency requirements for the Oregon Health Care Interpreting Program for qualification and certification before admission.

Based on experience, Gaucha Translations only accepts the following validations of language proficiency: Interpreter Certification and LTI testing at the Advanced Mid level or higher in both languages.

ADAAA accommodations

Participants who require ADAAA accommodations must contact Gaucha Translations to let the trainer know what accommodations they need. Gaucha Translations will discuss reasonable accommodations based on the facts of each situation, the resources available, and the realities of the profession.

Instruction modules

MODULES ETHICS MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY HEALTH CARE INTERPRETING SKILLS
Duration 8 12 48
Mode of delivery Online

 

Online  Mode of delivery being evaluated to adjust to COVID requirements. 
Language English and Spanish Spanish Spanish
Prerequisites Language proficiency in English and Spanish measured pursuant to OHA requirements.
Required resources Online resources developed by instructor. Merck Manual for Home Health in English and Spanish, available online The Interpreters Rx, by Holly Mikkelson (delivered on first session, included in cost of training) – cost $60

ACEBO resources for court interpreting to provide practice in the legal field.

Required equipment  Computer with adequate bandwidth. Headset with microphone to participate in teleconference sessions. There will be written exercises to be completed using Word and Excel. Recording device with audio playback. Paper and pencil. There will be written exercises.
Approvals 12 CE Credits CCHI

12 CE Credits OJD (6 Spanish, 6General)

CE credits to be requested.

16 CE Credits OJD (8 Spanish, 8 General)

Credits to be requested.

Evaluation Written formative and summative assessment of ethical analysis Written formative and summative assessment of terminology analysis Formative and summative assessment of interpreting skills

Helen Eby, Instructor

Credentials:

Helen Eby is a member of these professional associations:

Schedule subject to site confirmation. Rates are dependent on cost of site. This may be postponed in whole or in part based on the planning difficulties involved in opening up America after COVID-19.
Date (all times in Pacific Time Zone)TopicLocation
tbd, 2 hoursEthicsOnline
tbd, 2 hoursEthicsOnline
tbd, 2 hoursEthicsOnline
tbd, 2 hoursEthicsOnline
tbd, 2 hoursMedical terminologyOnline
tbd, 2 hoursMedical terminologyOnline
tbd, 2 hoursMedical terminologyOnline
tbd, 2 hoursMedical terminologyOnline
tbd, 2 hoursMedical terminologyOnline
tbd, 2 hoursMedical terminologyOnline
tbd, 2 hoursSight translation and introduction to translationOnline
tbd, 2 hoursSight translation and introduction to translationOnline
tbd, 2 hoursSight translation and introduction to translationOnline
tbd, 2 hoursSight translation and introduction to translationOnline
tbd, 2 hoursSight translation and introduction to translationOnline
tbd, 2 hoursSight translation and introduction to translationOnline
tbd, 9 to 12 and 1 to 4Interpreting skills: Consecutive, simultaneousIn person, location in Portland area to be determined
tbd, 9 to 12 and 1 to 4Interpreting skills: Consecutive, simultaneousIn person, location in Portland area to be determined
tbd, 9 to 12 and 1 to 4Interpreting skills: Consecutive, simultaneousIn person, location in Portland area to be determined
tbd, 9 to 12 and 1 to 4Interpreting skills: Consecutive, simultaneousIn person, location in Portland area to be determined
tbd, 9 to 12 and 1 to 4Interpreting skills: Consecutive, simultaneousIn person, location in Portland area to be determined
tbd, 9 to 12 and 1 to 4Interpreting skills: Consecutive, simultaneousIn person, location in Portland area to be determined