Bridging the Gap (BTG): A Basic Training for Medical Interpreters

The BTG course is a 40-hour professional development program that prepares bilingual individuals to work as medical interpreters in various healthcare environments. The course covers:

• Basic interpreter skills: Roles, ethics, conduit and clarifier interpreting, and managing the flow of the session.
• Information on health care: Introduction to the health care system, anatomy, and basic medical procedures.
• Culture in interpreting: Self-awareness, basic characteristics of specific cultures, traditional health care in specific communities, and culture brokering.
• Communication skills for advocacy: Listening skills, communication styles, how doctors think, and appropriate advocacy.
• Professional development: Effective communication, professional conduct, self-care, and resources for professional growth.
• Course activities include: role play activities, practicing interpreter skills in small group settings, hands-on interactive activities, a final exam at the end of the program. A score of 70% or higher on the final exam is required to pass the BTG course. The course and final exam are administered in English.
• Tuition: $450 USD Includes a non-refundable fee of $100 USD for a language proficiency assessment

Downloadable Forms

• Bridging the Gap Flyer 2013
• Bridging the Gap Interpreter Brochure (English)
• Bridging the Gap Interpreter Brochure (Spanish)
• Bridging the Gap Public Registration 2013

Frequently Asked Questions

• How to enroll

  Print and complete the two-page registration form which includes a course agreement that must be signed by the applicant Mail signed and completed registration forms with payment of a $100 USD non-refundable deposit to cover the language proficiency assessment and processing fee. Make check or money order payable to St.Vincent Health. Payment can also be made by credit card; fill-in and sign the authorization form at the bottom of the registration form, only Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

  Mail to:
  St.Vincent Health – RUAH, BTG Program
  10330 N. Meridian Street, Suite 415
  Indianapolis, IN 46290

  Upon receipt of completed registration form with the non-refundable deposit of $100 USD, an acceptance letter will be sent requesting confirmation of attendance to a selected BTG course after successfully passing the language proficiency assessment.

  After receiving confirmation applicants will receive an acceptance email message requesting you to confirm your attendance to the BTG course selected. At that time the balance of $350 USD for the tuition is due. Each applicant will have 15 business days to submit their full payment. Note: All fees must be paid in full 5 business days prior to the selected course start date. You will receive a confirmation letter and receipt for payment of the balance of tuition fees from the RUAH office.

• What if I need to cancel my enrollment?

  If cancellation of your enrollment is necessary, you will receive a credit of all fees paid to date up to $350 USD toward a future course date. If you do not want a credit a refund of all tuition fees up to the $350 USD will be made. This request must be made in writing. All written request for refunds should be sent directly to the RUAH office at 10330 N. Meridian Street, Suite 415, Indianapolis, IN 46290. Please allow 15 business days for processing.

• What about financial assistance or job placement assistance?

  St.Vincent Health / RUAH does not offer financial assistance or sponsorship assistance for tuition fees to community applicants.

  St.Vincent Health / RUAH does not offer job placement or referral assistance. Participants interested in working for a specific hospital or clinic would need to contact Human Resources at the specific organization; including St.Vincent Health.

• Will you accept a payment plan?

  A payment plan may be arranged on a case by case basis pending approval from the RUAH office.

• Do you teach Medical Terminology, Spanish or other languages?

  The BTG course does not teach medical terminology, during the course you will receive one day of instruction around medical terminology and a basic review of anatomy and body systems from the course instructor and a Registered Nurse professional. Participants will receive a bilingual medical glossary and a BTG handbook as a reference tool.

  The BTG course is not a language course. It is expected that all BTG participants are proficient in two languages, one of which is English. We do not offer language instruction courses.

• Will I be a Certified Medical Interpreter when I finish the program?

  There is NO State of Indiana certification for medical interpreters at this time. You will be given a certificate of completion that is accepted by area healthcare organizations.

• What if I don't pass the final exam?

  You will be given one month to retake the exam at the RUAH office, a final score of 75% or higher must be obtained to pass the make-up exam.

• General Course Information

  • All classes are taught in English.
  • Weekend and weekday courses are from 9 am to 5 pm each day.
  • Attendance in all course days as scheduled is required in order to complete the training program.
  • The course is limited to a maximum of 25 candidates per class.
  • Weekend courses are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (1st weekend), and Saturday and Sunday (2nd weekend).
  • The "Certificate of Completion" will be given to all course participants from the course instructor after the final exam on the last day of the course.
  • All BTG training Instructors are CCHCP/St.Vincent Health licensed and trained.

  All training course communication is primarily by email, St.Vincent Health cannot be responsible for non-receipt of important information due to you e-mail’s not working. If you have not heard from St.Vincent in a reasonable amount of time, please contact the RUAH office at 317-583-3216.

• Training Schedule

  Weekend Courses: 1st week- Fri-Sun 2nd week- Sat-Sun 9a-5p all course days

  • January 11-13 & 19-20, 2013
  • February 8-10 & 16-17, 2013
  • March 15-17 & 22-24, 2013
  • April 19-21 & 27-28, 2013
  • June 21-23 & 29-30, 2013
  • July 12-14 & 20-21, 2013
  • September 13-15 & 21-22, 2013
  • October 11-13 & 19-20, 2013
  • November 8-10 & 16-17, 2013

  Weekday Courses: Mon-Fri 9a-5p

  • May 6-10, 2013
  • June 3-7, 2013
  • August 5-9, 2013

  Anderson - Saint John's Health System: 9a-5p

  • September 20-22 & 28-29, 2013

• Training Location

  From 465:
  I-465 North to US-31 (Meridian Street) Exit
  North on Meridian Street (US 31) to 103rd Street
  Turn Left (West) on 103rd Street
  St.Vincent Health is located on the right (North) side
  Turn right at the first drive leading to the front visitor parking area. The main entry faces Meridian Street and is accessible to all visitors during normal business hours.

  From US 31 North:
  South on US-31 / Meridian Street to 103rd Street
  Turn Right (West) on 103rd Street
  St.Vincent Health is located on the right (North) side
  Turn right at the first drive leading to the front visitor parking area. The main entry faces Meridian Street and is accessible to all visitors during normal business hours.