NEWS RELEASE

Contact:         Mei-Ling Chen, Director of Translation
831-655-3460 (Office)

Translation Services Launches 40-hour Minimum Training
Required in the Healthcare Interpreting Industry

MONTEREY, Calif. (11/19, 2014) – Monterey Language Services (MLS), an independent translation and interpretation company in the Monterey area, announced its new intensive 5 day, 40 hour training course in medical interpreting. The course will take place the week of 6/1 – 6/5, 2015 and is available to online participants, regardless of location.

The Monterey and neighboring Salinas areas are home to many who do not speak English as their first language—or do not speak English at all. The importance of skilled interpreters in providing healthcare services for these residents has become increasingly evident, and the local medical interpretation industry presents a highly attractive job market for area bilinguals.

However, with increasing regulation in the healthcare interpretation field, just because you are bilingual does not mean you are qualified to interpret at a hospital or clinic. The era of family member “interpreters” is over.  “Just being bilingual, it’s not enough.  But if you have a certificate from Monterey Language Services, it’s good,” said Victor Sosa, the head of the Language Access at Natividad Medical Center, during his presentation at the workshop.

“Today, industry standards require medical interpreters to show proof of 40 hour training, successful assessment, and qualification,” said Mei-Ling Chen, Director of Translation at Monterey Language Services, who is also a Monterey Institute of International Studies trained interpreter.

MLS’s 40 hour course will provide the required minimum training and aims to help participants advance toward national certification. Training will be conducted by experienced medical interpreters and trainers. Upon successfully completing the course, participants will receive a certificate of attendance. Those who pass the exit exam will also receive a certificate of competency in medical interpreting from Monterey Language Services.

When the course was first announced to the participants of MLS’s successful community service workshop, including two attending online, they expressed great interest in the inner workings of the medical interpretation field and were eager for a more in-depth look.

“I was wondering if they (medical interpreters) start out as many of us, interpreting for family and friends, or if they have jobs where the employer saw a need to better train the janitor, for example, so he could fill two roles,” said one participant, “as was the case with my father in 1969.”

The course will next take place 6/1/2015 – 6/5/2015, cost: $800 onsite, $750 online. The flyer and registration form can be downloaded at our blog, www.montereylanguages.com/blog/.  For more information, please call 831 655 3460.

More press related to our 40 hour training:

• 40 Hour Training: Medical Interpreting as a Profession
• Medical Interpreter training announced in the Californian
• Monterey Language Services Trains Bilinguals for Jobs
• Workshop: Medical Interpreting as a Profession
• Bilingual Evaluation

Registration Form (Click to Download)

(no need to pay right away)

Return to Info Center: 40 hr Medical Interpreter Training

Frequently Asked Questions about our
40 hr Medical Interpreter Training

1. What is the cost of the 40 hour training?
2. For the certification process, is the exam required?
3. Can you take the exam without the training?
4. If you take the exit exam and pass, what are the benefits?
5. Regarding national certification, how much does it cost? How does it work–sign up online; how far out are the appointments; where is the exam administered? What is the time frame to receive results and be ready for employment?
6. Is this training and preparation truly required to work as an interpreter?
7. The leading motivator to pursue the training and certification will be income opportunity. What can you tell me about the income opportunities in this area for those who attend?
8. What is the style of your training?
9. What is the feedback from past workshops?
10. What are the new laws in California requiring medical professionals to provide an interpreter for non-English speaking patients?

Question 1

What is the cost of the 40 hour training?

Answer:  The fees for training, including the exit exam, are $750 for online participants and $800 for in-person participants.
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Question 2

For the certification process described in the workshop flyer: exam required or not?

Answer: Upon finishing the course, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion.  This also serves as the minimum requirement for you to take the national certification.

Our training also comes with an exit exam, its fees are included in the training.  If you take the exam and pass, you receive a Certificate of Competency.

If you decide not to take the exam, it is okay.
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Question 3

Can you take the exam without the training? If so, what is the cost?

Answer:  If you do not take the training, you may still take the exam, but there will be a fee of $150.
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Question 4

If you take the exit exam and pass, what are the benefits?

Answer:

• Certificate of Competency endorses that you meet industry standards, which mean that you are delivering quality service to your patient.
• You will have a higher chance of being hired as a medical interpreter by Monterey Language Services and elsewhere.
• It also signifies that you are ready to take the national certification.

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Question 5

Regarding the national certification, how much does it cost? How does it work—sign up online; how far out are the appointments; where is the exam administered? What is the time frame to receive results and be ready for employment?

Answer: To take the national certification exam, there is a requirement of a minimum of 40 hours training—which you receive at Monterey Language Services. Our training meets national standards. To answer the other questions, please visit The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters @ http://www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org/getcertified  OR Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters @ http://www.cchicertification.org/ . Either agency can get you nationally certified.
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Question 6

Is this training and preparation truly required to work as an interpreter?

Answer:  Would you risk the life of your patient without having proper training?  One example of the dangers involved in interpreting without appropriate training is the following unfortunate true story: When an untrained person served as a medical interpreter to a pregnant woman who only spoke Spanish, the woman was prescribed an abortion-inducing drug instead of the prenatal care she was expecting. She lost her baby.

In the Joint Commission’s New & Revised Standards and EPs for Patient-Centered Communication, it says “Qualifications for language interpreters and translators may be met through language proficiency assessment, education, training, and experience.”

Monterey Language Services’ interpreter training conforms to the above and follows the rigorous standards and guidance currently available from National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC).  This training is also posted on IMIA’s website: http://www.imiaweb.org/education/details.asp?id=4209

Our training also discusses the California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA) standards. These standards are the law for medical interpreters since 2009. All such interpreters must be trained in “interpreting ethics, conduct, and confidentiality” as set out in the CHIA standards.
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Question 7

The leading motivator to pursue the training and certification will be income opportunity.  What can you tell me about the income opportunities in this area for those that attend?

Answer:

• Types of work: Hospitals, doctors offices, community opportunities—public education sessions/seminars
• Average annual salary for interpreters nationwide was $50,610 as of May 2011, which means $24.33 per hour. **
• Interpreters with less than one year experience can expect $10-18.50 hourly. The range of annual salaries for professionals of all experience levels is from $21,036 – $83,847. ***
• Salinas, CA has an employment of 890, not including self-employed persons, an hourly mean wage of $12.10, and an annual mean wage of $25,170. **
• Job outlook: no need to worry about a saturated market. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 42% improvement in the job outlook for interpreters and translators in the next decade. ** Economicmodeling.com stated “when most of the economy was taking a severe beating, translation and interpretation services have grown by about 50%.”****
• The states with highest employment are as follows: **

**According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. ***According to Payscale.com

****According to Economicmodeling.com *****Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
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Question 8

What is the style of your training?

Answer: Our training has a real-world focus: practical, yet fun. You will learn from industry professionals: hospitals, language service providers, and practicing medical interpreters. These professionals will share their experience with you. You will be involved in realistic role-play sessions to practice your new skills. You will have the opportunity to use the technology that interpreters use on a daily basis. There will be a consistent environment of group support.
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Question 9

What is the feedback from past workshops?

Answer: “I thought I couldn’t make a career of medical interpreting. This workshop has been most encouraging.”

“The variety of presenters was beneficial.” “The speakers were very professional.”

“Even though it’s not a secret field, I have found medical interpretation difficult to get into.”

“It was a most informative workshop and I look forward to learning more.”

“This workshop was excellent. Thank you so much.”
[Insert YouTube video links here when done]
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Question 10

What are the new laws in California requiring medical professionals to provide an interpreter for non-English speaking patients?

Answer:  On January 1, 2009, California implemented the first law—Senate Bill 853—to require that health insurance companies provide interpreting and translating services to patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against people in programs receiving federal assistance regardless of national origin. This means interpreters must be provided to persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 also supports the use of interpreters. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires state and local governments to make their programs accessible to deaf or hard of hearing people, therefore also requiring ASL interpreters.
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Act Now! Register by March 31st and get a $50 discount!

Registration form (click to download)

(no need to pay right away)

Return to Info Center: 40 hr Medical Interpreter Training

2015 Training Calendar

Act Now! Register by March 31st and get a $50 discount!

Registration form (click to download)

(no need to pay right away)

These dates don’t work for you?

Suggest new ones here!

Return to Info Center: 40 hr Medical Interpreter Training

Each term above is a link to a mini-site on that subject–please click!

The training will move you forward toward
the following goals:

• Meet minimum requirement to take national certification exam!
• Be part of the 46% growth in interpreting jobs in the next decade
• Help the community fulfill the need in healthcare interpreting
• Improve the quality of services in the healthcare industry

Click calendar for details on our next session!

Click Here to Download Registration Form

Training Focus:

Act Now! Register by March 31st and get a $50 discount!

Registration form (click to download)

(no need to pay right away)

Act Now! Register by March 31st and get a $50 discount!

Registration form (click to download)

(no need to pay right away)

Return to Info Center: 40 hr Medical Interpreter Training

Take a glimpse of our instructors…

Instructors are real-world professionals

• Experts in their field
• Work in doctors’ offices and hospitals daily
• Examples are:
  • certified medical interpreters,
  • language access coordinators,
  • Monterey Language Services management

Who should participate?

• Interpreters looking to earn the 40 hour minimum training for state and national certification
• Bilinguals wanting to begin the process of becoming medical interpreters

Feedback from previous training sessions

“I thought I couldn’t make a career of medical interpreting. This workshop has been most encouraging.”

“Even though it’s not a secret field, I have found medical interpretation difficult to get into.”

“It was a most informative workshop and I look forward to learning more.”

Act Now! Register by March 31st and get a $50 discount!

Registration form (click to download)

(no need to pay right away)

Return to Info Center: 40 hr Medical Interpreter Training

$800    In-person participants

$750     Online participants

Act Now! Register by March 31st and get a $50 discount!

Registration form (click to download)

(no need to pay right away)

Certificate of Completion

Received at end of the 40 hours

Minimum requirement to take the national certification

Certificate of Competency

Given after passing exit exam

Exit Exam

Fee included in the training

Given one month after training completion

Optional

May take the exam without training, but there will be a fee of $150.

Benefits of passing exit exam

Endorsment that you meet industry standards–that you deliver quality service to your patient

Higher chance of being hired as a medical interpreter by Monterey Language Services and elsewhere

Signifies that you are ready to take the national certification

Return to Info Center: 40 hr Medical Interpreter Training

MONTEREY, Calif. (11/19, 2014) – Monterey Language Services (MLS) will be hosting an intensive 5 day, 40 hour training course in medical interpreting. The course will take place the week of 1/19-1/23/2015 and is open to all area bilinguals interested in pursuing jobs as medical interpreters.

Monterey Language Services first announced the 40 hour training course at its successful community service workshop last weekend, which let the public get a glimpse into the inner workings of the medical interpretation field—a field that comes with many common misconceptions.

“I was wondering if they (medical interpreters) start out as many of us, interpreting for family and friends, or if they have jobs where the employer saw a need to better train the janitor, for example, so he could fill two roles,” said one participant, “as was the case with my father in 1969.”

“Today, industry standards require medical interpreters to show proof of 40 hour training, successful assessment, and qualification,” said Mei-Ling Chen, Director of Translation at Monterey Language Services, who is also a Monterey Institute of International Studies trained interpreter.

Just because you’re bilingual doesn’t mean you’re qualified to interpret in healthcare. The era of family member “interpreters” is over. “Just being bilingual, it’s not enough. But if you have a certificate from Monterey Language Services, it’s good,” said Victor Sosa, the head of the Language Access at Natividad Medical Center, during his presentation at the workshop.

The Monterey Language Services-hosted program will provide the 40 hour minimum training required in the healthcare interpreting industry to obtain a national certification. Training will be conducted by experienced medical interpreters and trainers. Upon successfully completing the course, participants will receive a certificate of attendance. Those who pass the exit exam will also receive a certificate of competency in medical interpreting from Monterey Language Services. The course will take place 1/19/2015 – 1/23/2015, cost: $800 onsite, $750 online.

Download the workshop info and registration form here.

Registration form: http://www.montereylanguages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Flyer-Medical-Interpretation-v2.pdf

For more information, please call 831 655 3460.

Screenshot taken from the Californian’s website.

Our upcoming training seminar, Medical Interpreting as a Profession, was broadcast by the Californian, a newspaper based in Salinas, California, where the county government is located and the majority of residents are Spanish-speakers from Mexico.

This area has a strong need for medical interpretation services, so this workshop allows us to provide a much needed and valuable program for the community. Our goal is to help bilingual speakers and interpreters enter the medical interpretation field. Download the workshop info and registration form here.

Registration form: http://www.montereylanguages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Medical-Workshop-Info-and-Registration_Monterey-Language-Services_updated.pdf

Here is the news:
Translation service launches training seminars

Monterey Language Services has launched an interpreter training seminar to move area bilingual speakers into jobs in healthcare.

The seminars will begin in November and are open to all area bilingual residents interested in pursuing jobs as medical interpreters.

Since 2010, Monterey Language Services has seen a steady increase in the need for professional medical interpreters.

MLS will offer its first “Medical Interpreting as a Profession” seminar from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15 at 2600 Garden Road, Suite 130, Monterey. The seminar is $60 attending in person, $45 online.

Information: 831-655-3460.

Other than translation, Monterey Language Services provides interpreters to hospitals in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties and is the official bilingual evaluator for the County of Monterey. Our main services include interpreter training and certification as well.