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.
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The goals of this training program are to:
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Reinforce skills, knowledge and best practice in interpreting
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Enhance understanding of a health care interpreter’s role
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Develop awareness of issues involved in health interpreting, including a heightened appreciation of the relevance of professional ethics.
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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.
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.
The training program will address the following issues to lesser or greater extents, depending on the training module:
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Theory of interpreting
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The 'interpreter’s toolbox': ethics; linguistic and interpreting skills; subject knowledge; technique; disposition; support system
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Culture and equivalence in meaning
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Role of the interpreter
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Stress and the interpreter
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Preparing for an assignment
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Sight-translation and procedural consent forms
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NAATI & AUSIT (accreditation authority and professional association)
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Queensland health system and structure
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
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
Interpreter Quality Officer.
| 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.