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Training programs for interpreters

Training programs for interpreters are available on (1) working in a health context and (2) working in a mental health context.

Interpreting in a health context

This training program is currently in the final stages of development.

The goals of this training program are to:

Reinforce skills, knowledge and best practice in interpreting
Enhance understanding of a health care interpreter’s role
Develop awareness of issues involved in health interpreting, including a heightened appreciation of the relevance of professional ethics.

Interpreting is a life-long learning process, especially in health, where every consultation may present new and diverse challenges for an interpreter, both in the medical terminology aspect as well as other technical and ethical aspects.

The training program encourages participants to upgrade their subject knowledge and interpreting skills on an on-going, self-paced basis, and provides participants with a good foundation to respond well to ethical dilemmas that they may encounter from time to time.

The ultimate result being sought is to increase the self-confidence of interpreters in the performance of their duties in a health context, so that - together with clinicians and staff - interpreters can help facilitate the best health outcomes for the Queensland Health patients/clients they assist.

Programs
There are two modules
• Module 1 - for interpreters who do not have a great deal of experience working in a health context

• Module 2 - for interpreters experienced in working in a health context.

Program content

The training program will address the following issues to lesser or greater extents, depending on the training module:

Theory of interpreting
The 'interpreter’s toolbox': ethics; linguistic and interpreting skills; subject knowledge; technique; disposition; support system
Culture and equivalence in meaning
Role of the interpreter
Stress and the interpreter
Preparing for an assignment
Sight-translation and procedural consent forms
NAATI & AUSIT (accreditation authority and professional association)
Queensland health system and structure

Who should participate?

All interpreters who provide services to Queensland Health should participate.

Interpreters who participate in the separate Queensland Health “Mental Health Interpreting” training for interpreters will not be required to participate.

If you are interested in working with Queensland Health as an interpreter, click here

Availability

The training programs will be increasingly available to interpreters once the new service arrangements are implemented. Queensland Health aims to work with interpreters who have participating in this training as the first option. Interpreters interested in participating in these programs should contact the relevant Area Health Service Interpreter Quality Officer. To see a map of the Area Health Services, click here.

Interpreting in a mental health context

Click here to go to the Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre’s webpage to learn more about training programs for interpreting in a mental health context (http://www.health.qld.gov.au/pahospital/qtmhc/default.asp)

Last Updated: 16 October 2007
Last Reviewed: 16 October 2007