"I'm originally from Panama and this is a new career for me. I retired in June, 2009 as director of technology from a local school district, and decided to continue doing something that would be on interest. Using my native language, Spanish, I approached a local company that needed "interpreters." I have been interpreting in schools, court rooms, and hospitals. I found my niche in medical interpretation and decided to take this course to learn the skills that I'm expected to have to interpret based on a national certification program."

"I see that a national certification program is in the future, and I want to be prepared and certified so I can continue to have fun helping and working in the medical interpreting field."

"I was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and my native language is Spanish. I am the Director of the Cardio Pulmonary Department for two facilities in Prescott, Arizona. We have a large Hispanic population and I get called from time to time to assist with interpretation. I love interpreting as well as talking to people from other cultures; I was looking for a program that could assist me in preparing me in getting a certification. As I was searching for a program that could help me accomplish my goals I stumbled upon Cultural Advantage, and after reading the program requirements I decided to go for it."

"Before I took these courses I was interpreting by using the 3rd person. Now I have learned the importance of using 1st person. I would also get involved with side conversations with either the patient or the provider. I was not aware of the Medical Interpreting Standards of Practice and their importance; following them will sure make things easier."

"Being involved in heath care for over 26 years I was aware of ethical and moral issues regarding standards within the medical field, but I never knew that there was a National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care as well as guidelines for Sight Translation. I was also able to expand my vocabulary in many areas such as anatomy, patient legal documents like living wills and in the patient instructions area. I really enjoyed the challenge and look forward to applying what I have learned in future interpretations."

We are proud to announce that Rafi is now a co-instructor in our English-Spanish Medical Interpreter Program. He also has developed a continuing education presentation, Basic Ventilator Education, an advanced course for medical interpreters and available for CNE for nurses.

Alice is a registered nurse and works as a nurse case manager at a medical center in Connecticut.

"I feel what I have learned have changed my view on medical interpreting. The importance of using a trained interpreter and just not anyone that is bilingual or friends and relatives. I cannot think of anything else. My plan is one day to become a medical interpreter only. Maybe then I'll have more experience and able to discern the areas that I would need better skills."

"I feel very comfortable with the knowledge I have aquired but I am sure that there is always room for improvement."

Ghyzlene is an IT specialist and is a native of Morocco. She lives in Massachussetts.

"I learned the true role of medical interpreter and I discovered how a part of language can be and how I can use it to help others in need."  

"I learned that but the techniques you have to use that make the interpretation possible. I learned a lot of tips to became professional interpreter."

"I also learned that there is some challenges that you have to face in the interpreting job. The most important in the role of interpreter is to establish the best relation between provider and patient in order to have the best care possible. This course was very valuable to me."

Clara was a lawyer in Brazil. She lives in Massachusetts.

"I used to be a lawyer in my home country (Brazil). When I moved to the U.S. with my husband because of his fellowship program, I had to start a new career myself. As my husband is in the health care environment, I got to know the medical interpreter role and its importance to the society. My first step toward this new profession was choosing a great training program. Culture Advantage gave me all the tools to become a successful interpreter. The program is complete, rich in details and I could start right way. I’m really glad I made this choice."

Karen works as an interpreter in a school system. She learned Spanish while working as a missionary in Central America. Karen is also a co-developing our Spanish for Nurses program.

"In addition to interpreting for Therapists of speech, language, OT and PT with the "Great Start" program (with children birth to 3 years old, with visits into the home), I am now working at a Special Education School for children with severe disabilities, specializing in Autism.  This covers children age 4 (preschool) through high school (children age 18)."

"In all, I have truly benefited from this course, regardless of my score. I have learned so much and now have a standard to refer to when issues arise in the job I currently hold as an interpreter. It will also help me in my role as a volunteer interpreter for the medical mission groups to Central America, bring a more professional application of interpreting to this setting. I also feel that I have a place to go to when seeking advise in interpreting these standards or in seeking further training and education. Thank you so much. It has been a wonderful experience for me."

Francisco is a physician who has worked as an interpreter and has practiced in correctional facilites.

His advice about working as an interpreter in difficult situations: "It is very difficult but I have worked as a physician both in correctional facilities, back in my country, and for the government in Ecuador- Colombia frontier conflict zone. And even I know now that it could be a bias, the experience on working directly with the community is a very good preparation for that kind of interaction. My religious affinity has never been an issue when it comes to professional activities but I know I have to be aware about my personal precepts."

"El caso mas difícil: cuando tuvo que hacer una traducción entre un ejecutivo del gobierno del Ecuador y La empresa Oderbrecth en la que se hablaba de la salida de la empresa del Ecuador y por lo tanto Ella perdía el trabajo. También esa fue la situación mas memorable porque marco la salida de una empresa con actividades por mas de 25 años en el Ecuador y con mas de 2000 personas (muchos hijos de brasileños nacidos en el Ecuador) Consejo: en esta profesión la integridad esta en constante prueba, el consejo fue tratar de mantener independencia y leer el periódico en dos idiomas o mas todos los días. (y que me compre la película “cidade de Dios”)."

Darkita (English-Serbian Interpreter): She is a native of Serbia and was a research pharmacist. What she liked best about the course: "readiness to adjust to the needs of the students."

Mona (English-Arabic Interpreter): She works as a nuclear medicine technologist. "I really broke the rules (and standards) before. I did not transmit the appropriate words to the doctor to prevent huge arguments. But after this course, I have learned to keep professional distance and render the message accurately and completely. This course helped me in my career as a nuclear medicine technologist."

Please CALL or EMAIL me if you would like to join Culture Advantage as a medical interpreting student. Best regards, Marlene