Questions about "Bridging the Gap" medical interpreting training course
Thread poster: Alexandra Goldburt
Alexandra Goldburt
Alexandra Goldburt
Local time: 08:14
English to Russian
+ ...
May 26, 2010

I would like to hear from those who've taken "Bridging the Gap" medical interpreting training course. Do you think the course was worth your money? If you were new to medical interpreting when you've taken the course, do you think was it a good way to enter the interpreting profession? Or, if you were already interpreting prior to taking the course, would you say that taking it improved your skills as a medical interpreter? Did it bring you more business?

Thanks in advance for a
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I would like to hear from those who've taken "Bridging the Gap" medical interpreting training course. Do you think the course was worth your money? If you were new to medical interpreting when you've taken the course, do you think was it a good way to enter the interpreting profession? Or, if you were already interpreting prior to taking the course, would you say that taking it improved your skills as a medical interpreter? Did it bring you more business?

Thanks in advance for all your answers.

(Information about "Bridging the Gap" can be found here: http://www.xculture.org/BTGclassdesc.php )
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Liviu-Lee Roth
Liviu-Lee Roth
United States
Local time: 11:14
Romanian to English
+ ...
Hi Alexandra, May 28, 2010

I did not take the course and definitely I am not going to take it, despite the fact that several agencies I work with, pressed me to do it. The reason I am so stubborn is very simple. I am a certified Ultrasound Tech. (2 years of study-anatomy, pathology), I worked for six years in a big hospital in Philadelphia and I have been interpreting for more than 15 years. What could they teach me in 40 hours? Anatomy? Pathology? Diseases? Interpreting? A big nonsense for me. I proved to them my quali... See more
I did not take the course and definitely I am not going to take it, despite the fact that several agencies I work with, pressed me to do it. The reason I am so stubborn is very simple. I am a certified Ultrasound Tech. (2 years of study-anatomy, pathology), I worked for six years in a big hospital in Philadelphia and I have been interpreting for more than 15 years. What could they teach me in 40 hours? Anatomy? Pathology? Diseases? Interpreting? A big nonsense for me. I proved to them my qualifications with diplomas and pay-stubs, but to no avail. They are more interested in my money, not my knowledge!
Eventually an agency "risked" and sent me for a medical interpretation. I do not like to brag, but the medical staff-doctors, nurses, PT and social worker- told me that they never encountered such a professional interpreter and they requested my services for another three full days.
Unfortunately we live in a society where written diplomas or obscure certifications are more valued than the real knowledge.

Lee
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Alexandra Goldburt
Alexandra Goldburt
Local time: 08:14
English to Russian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Lee, I cannot agree with you more May 29, 2010


Unfortunately we live in a society where written diplomas or obscure certifications are more valued than the real knowledge.

Lee


So true, Lee! The prevailing attitude is "it doesn't matter how much knowledge and skills you have - show us the paper that you obtained these knowledge and skills in the approved way".

It's wrong. Simply wrong. It does not matter if the majority shares this attitude - the majority opinion doesn't make it right.

Kudos to you for sticking to your guns and not bowing your head to this pervasive attitude. Somebody with your level of experience and knowledge certainly doesn't need this course.

But suppose you know somebody who wants to become a medical interpreter, but doesn't have the interpreting experience yet - only good knowledge of two languages. Maybe for such a person "Bridging the Gap" would be a good way to enter the profession. Or maybe not - I'm not sure.

I actually have a very good friend in this position, and I'm not sure whether to recommend to him to take "Bridging the Gap" course, or not. Maybe I should recommend something else instead - but what?


 
Liviu-Lee Roth
Liviu-Lee Roth
United States
Local time: 11:14
Romanian to English
+ ...
Thank you Alexandra, May 29, 2010

As a matter of fact, taking the course helps, especially in other languages than Spanish. I know that the Romanian lady who took the course gets a lot of assignments. I cannot agree more that the course is helpful for starters or beginners, but there should be some common sense in evaluating one's knowledge.

 
Alexandra Goldburt
Alexandra Goldburt
Local time: 08:14
English to Russian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
We are in agreement here, Lee. May 30, 2010

Ah, common sense... whatever happened to it? Fewer and fewer people have it...

I'm glad it worked out for the Romanian lady you know. And thank you for being the only one who answered my question so far!


 


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