CLAS offers a wide range of training programs to ensure interpreter competence and professionalism as well as to enhance provider cultural competence.

 

Training Dates: TBD

​

​

For Interpreters

 

Healthcare Interpreting – A 40-Hour Course

Healthcare Interpreting is an interactive, foundational course for bilingual students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and a target language. Appealing to varied adult learning styles, the class is taught in English with 1/3 of course time devoted to dual language role plays, vocabulary exercises and simulations. The content includes: history and legal requirements; professional code of

ethics; role boundaries; modes and techniques of interpreting; the US healthcare system and culture of biomedicine; the interpreter’s cultural self-awareness, HIPAA, standard precautions and memory development. CLAS instructors are practicing interpreters, translators and health professionals. The class maybe scheduled over an entire week or consecutive Friday/Saturdays.

 

 

Healthcare Interpreting – A Refresher

An eight-hour class designed to reinforce the interpreter’s basic skills and knowledge through critiqued practice. The class incorporates technical vocabulary which experienced interpreters utilize “on the job”. This day-long session is also designed to address professional issues that emerge in interpreted encounters among them the challenges of cultural brokering or advocating for a patient and the need

for self-care. It is designed to both refresh the interpreter’s professionalism and provide support through connection to others in the field.

 

For Service Providers

 

Communicating Through Interpreters

Service providers do not always know what to expect when communicating through an interpreter. This one-two hour in-service workshop demonstrates the basic tools for managing interpreted encounters. It is based on a series of video vignettes of untrained, professional and “managed” interpretations and encourages classroom dialogue between bilingual and monolingual staff. Communicating Through

Interpreters is appropriate for employees at all organizational levels.

 

Cultural Competence in Patient-Centered Care

Patient-centered care requires that providers demonstrate an understanding of the cultural factors that influence illness and well-being. This four-eight hour interactive workshop explores the principles, skills and basic knowledge necessary for becoming a culturally competent health provider. The class examines both professional and patient cultural values, attitudes and behaviors related to illness and well-being. It establishes some culturally neutral ground rules and questions providers can utilize when managing diverse patients. The class is offered either as a stand-alone or an introduction to Communities and Traditional Health Beliefs/ Practices.

 

Communities and Traditional Health Beliefs/Practices

A series of four-eight hour sessions taught by bilingual/bicultural instructors from Mexico/Central America, East Africa, Middle East/South Asia and South East Asia. Each workshop covers: community migration experience and demographics; traditional beliefs about illness and well-being; types of healers and treatments; psycho-social issues; communication styles; expectations of biomedical providers.

Participants acquire knowledge specific to target populations in their organization’s cachement area while also expanding their ability to provide patient-centered care.