Training Description:

****Please note: The Bridging the Gap course does NOT certify Medical Interpreters. The State of Hawaii has not yetdeveloped standardized criteria for Medical Interpreter Certification.****

This training is being brought to you by KokuaKalihiValley and partners as part of anOffice of Minority Health-funded programto increasebilingual and biculturalservicecapacity within the stateof Hawaii.All training materialsand light snacks will be provided at the training. There is no fee to be paid by KKV staff participants. Participants from other agencies and the communitywill be charged a fee for the training materials.Fee must be paid by the first day of class.

Payment/FeePlan for the Training:

Agency employees participants:$100

Agency volunteer participants $75

Independent, freelance individuals $50

The training is geared toward, but not limited to, medical interpreters. Bilingual individuals who have significant backgrounds in classroom teaching, experience inmedical interpreting, or who work closely with medical interpreters are strongly encouraged to participate. If you feel you do not meet the above criteria and would still like to participate in this training program please call the program coordinator, Merina Sapoluat808-791-9406 or ext. 406.

BTG is a 40-hour professional development program that helps to prepare bilingual/bicultural individuals to work as medical interpreters or interpreter program management. During the training individuals shall gain the knowledge of:

  • Basic interpreting skills. Roles, ethics, conduit and clarifier interpreting, managing the flow of the session
  • Information on health care. Introduction to the health care system, anatomy, basic medical procedures
  • Culture in interpreting. Self-awareness, recognizing diversity, traditional health care in specific communities, culture brokering
  • Communication skills and advocacy in healthcare. Listening skills, communication styles, how doctors think, appropriate advocacy
  • Professional Development. Professional conduct, self-care, resources for professional growth

Attendance:

All 40 hours of training are required for all participants who intend to receive a letter of completion. Please contact Merina Sapolu with concerns regarding attendance.

Date(Option #1) / Time / Location
Wednesday, August 13, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Thursday, August 14, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Monday, August 18, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Date(Option #2) / Time / Location
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Thursday, October 23, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Friday, October 24, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Monday, October 27, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 / 8:00am - 4:30 pm / KKV Main Clinic-Exercise Room

Course materials:

All materials are copyrighted by CCHCP and CANNOT be distributed or reproduced (photocopied) without obtaining consent from CCHCP.

An array of unique books, which span from basic medical resources to language specific medical glossaries and cross cultural reference materials, will be included. For more information, please visit

BTG Instructors:

All BTG trainers have completed both the 40-hour “Bridging the Gap” Medical Interpreting course and another 40-hour “Train the Trainers” course, certifying them to instruct the “Bridging the Gap” Medical Interpreting class. Our trainers represent various community and health organizations including KKV, PACT Hana Like and the University of Hawaii’s Center for Interpretation and Translation Studies.

After the training:

Upon attending all 40 hours of the training and earning a passing grade on the written final exam (≥70%), participants will receive a “Certificate of Successful Completion.” Participants who attend all classes but who do not pass the exam will receive a “Certificate of Attendance” and are eligible to retake the exam for one month following the end of the class.

Participantsthat successfully complete the BTG course may qualify toattend the BTG Training of Trainers (TOT) presented by CCHCP at various locations around the U.S. Please visit for more information and the BTGTOT schedule.

BTG Participants Agreement:

We request thatparticipants utilize their newly acquired skills in everyday duties pertaining to their work and adhere to the interpreter Code of Ethics.

Please Contact:Merina Sapolu, Cross Cultural Bridges Program Coordinator,

Phone 791-9406(x-406), email: for any questions/concerns.

KokuaKalihiValley, Comprehensive Family Services. Providing Medical & Dental Services, Health

Education, Family Planning, Perinatal, WIC and Social Services to KalihiValley residents, since 1972. Neighbors being neighborly to neighbors.