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Multi-Cultural Center

Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training Program

Bridging the Gap is a 40-hour professional development program that prepares bilingual individuals to work as medical interpreters. It is used to train novice and experienced medical interpreters, and it is accepted by both accredited national certifying bodies, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI). No interpreting experience is required to take the class.

This course covers:

  • Basic interpreting skills. Roles, ethics, conduit and clarifier interpreting, managing the flow of the session
  • Codes of ethics. Codes of ethics and decision-making for interpreters in health care.
  • Integrated medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. Introduction to common terms, procedures, and specialties relating to human physiology and health.
  • Information on health care systems. Introduction to the health care systems and types of health care providers.
  • Culture in interpreting. Self-awareness, basic characteristics of specific cultures, traditional health care in specific communities, culture brokering
  • Communication skills for advocacy. Listening skills, communication styles, how doctors think, appropriate advocacy
  • Professional development. Effective communication, professional conduct, self-care, resources for professional growth

Important Information

Tuition

Total: $600

Includes a non-refundable $120 deposit, course textbook, bilingual medical glossary if available in your target language (if not available participants will receive an English-English glossary), the Guide to Common Medications, and a signed Certificate of Successful Completion, if applicable.

Training Dates

Saturdays for eight weeks, 9am - 2 pm, January 25 to March 15

Students must attend all hours of the training. LSS-MCC reserves the right to cancel a class that does not have minimum enrollment.

Location

This will be held online (Zoom), but we are requiring attendees to come in person on the last day.

Admission Requirements

Minimum age, residency and education

Participants must be 18 or older and have a high school degree or the equivalent. Proof of high school graduation or GED, etc. is required. Participants must reside in South Dakota, Iowa or Minnesota.

Proof of language proficiency

Participants must be bilingual in English and at least one other language, and proof of proficiency in both languages is required to enroll in the class. Proof of proficiency can be copies of any one of the following documents:

  • High school diploma or equivalent, or university/college degree from a school using the assessed language(s)
  • State or federal court interpreter certification
  • Oral language exam results with scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2
  • For languages of lesser diffusion for which no proficiency test exists, LSS is able to accept a letter from the applicant’s employer verifying professional experience working in the language being assessed

If applicants do not have any prior proof of language proficiency, the registration process will include a speaking and listening assessment conducted over the phone. These are scheduled through ALTA Language Services on a weekday at a time that is convenient for the applicant. Once a language assessment is scheduled, the applicant will receive a phone number to call and instructions to begin the assessment, which is approximately 20-25 minutes long. The maximum possible score is 12; a 9 or higher is required for admission.

Registration & Enrollment Procedure

1. Please submit emailed, faxed, printed, or scanned copies of the following:

  • Completed registration form
  • Copy of high school diploma, GED certificate, or university/college degree
  • Proof of language proficiency (if available)

     Applications can be submitted via:

  • Email: CISinterpreters@LssSD.org
  • Mail: LSS Multi-Cultural Center, 300 E. 6th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57103   

2. Payment of $120 non-refundable deposit via credit card, check, money order, or cash. Checks and money orders should be made out to Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, or LSS. Credit card payments can be made over the phone. Any necessary language assessments will be scheduled and conducted upon receipt of the deposit.

3. Once we have received proof of language proficiency or proficiency assessment results, you will receive an email message to complete the enrollment process. You will also receive an email message if you did not pass the language proficiency assessment.

4. Confirm your attendance and pay the balance of $480 for the tuition.

Deadlines

December 20, 2024

  • Application form
  • Non-refundable deposit
  • Proof of high school graduation
  • Proof of language proficiency (if available)

January 17, 2025

  • Remaining tuition fees