Diane Lolli, Coordinator
Cambridge College
Medical Interpreter Internship Program
First National Symposium for
Medical Interpreter Trainers
June 12, 2010 Rutgers University
The Panel Discussion, 9 am – 10:30 am
The Cambridge College Medical
Interpreter Certificate and
Degree Programs
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Mission Statement
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The mission of the Cambridge College
Medical Interpreter Training Program is to
prepare college-educated professional
workers who will provide accurate and
complete medical interpreting services so
that patients with limited English proficiency
will receive high quality medical care.
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Target student body
medical interpreters seeking
professional development
medical interpreters seeking collegebased certificate
medical interpreter students seeking
bachelor’s degree
underemployed bilingual immigrants
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Target languages
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began program with 3 languages, Spanish,
Portuguese, Haitian Creole
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quickly added Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic
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evolved into multilingual program, including to
date Russian, Japanese, Albanian, Polish,
Armenian, Somali, Greek, French, American
Sign Language, Korean, Amharic
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Collaborations
The Massachusetts Legislature
The IMIA
MA Hospitals and Health Care Centers
The Directors of Medical Interpreting
Mental Health Organizations
Community Service Organizations
Insurance Companies
State and City Government Offices
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Curriculum
Anatomy and Pathophysiology for the Medical
Interpreter
The Role of the Medical Interpreter
Medical Interpreting Skills I
Medical Interpreting Skills II
Cross Cultural Communication
Medical Interpreter Internship
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Distinctive Program Features
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college-based
skills-based
internship component
mentorship model
methodology based on role playing as
opposed to lecture and reading
unique learning materials
opportunity to earn additional interpreting
certificates
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Program-specific learning activities
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vocabulary reviews in English and target language
language practice exercises divided according to
language group
journal keeping
role playing in class with group analysis afterwards
portfolio development
immersion activities in own and others’ cultures
sight translation
final role play to assess student learning
field experience in internship site
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Courses of Study
Non-Credit
students earn
certificate in
medical
Interpreting
College Credit
students earn
certificate plus 18
elective credits toward a
degree in psychology,
human services, or
business management
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Certificates Awarded
Medical Interpreting
Human Services Interpreting
Mental Health Interpreting
Medical Administrative Assistant
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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Degrees Awarded with concentration in
medical interpreting
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BS
Psychology
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BS
Human Services
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BS
Business Management
2010 First National Symposium for Medical
Interpreter Trainers
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