Bridging The Gap: Medical Interpreter Training

Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a nationally recognized 40-hour basic training for medical interpreting. After completing this 40-hour course, participants can: 

• work professionally as medical interpreters for health institutions or interpreting agencies (Discern if freelance interpreting with GLOBO is a good fit for you.)
• pursue national certification for medical interpreting through CCHI or NBCMI 
• interpret on-the-job as dual-role health care providers.

Important Details

• Attendance in all 40 hours of BTG is required to successfully complete the training program.
• On the last day of the course, participants take a 50-question, multiple-choice final exam. The minimum passing score is 70%.
• Participants receive a BTG certificate upon successful completion of the course. 

Who can Participate:

Participants must: 

• be 18 years or older 
• have a high school diploma or equivalent (whether from the U.S. or abroad) 
• be able to attend all 40 hours of the course (See "When?" below.)
• provide proof of conversational proficiency in English and one other language (language Proficiecny Assesments- LPA's are part of the enrollment process.)

Cost? 

The total cost is $650. This total includes: 

• $140 for the Language proficiency Assesment (LPA) deposit
• $510 for BTG tuition and materials 

For $650, participants receive: two LPA's, 40 hours of instruction, three textbooks, and a BTG certificate. 

*Financial support and/or scholarships are available through: 

• • Washington Township Adult Education (WTAE) - Visit this webpage for more information. 
  • The Indiana Latino Institute - Visit this webpage for more information. 

Where? 

BTG courses are held virtually through Zoom.

When? 

GLOBO offers BTG every month. Typically, BTG courses take place the first two weekends of the month. For both weekends of a course, class meets:

• Friday from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm ET
• Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm ET (with a lunch break from 12-1 pm)
• Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm ET (with a lunch break from 12-1 pm)

2024 Course Offerings

July 2024 

• • Class meets online on the weekends of July 12-14 & 19-21. 
  • Enrollment opens May 1. Return to this webpage on May 1 for a registration form. 
  • You must complete enrollment between May 1-22. 

August 2024 

• • Class meets online on Aug. 2-4 and in-person on Aug. 9-11. 
  • Enrollment opens June 3. Return to this webpage on June 3 for a registration form.
  • You must complete enrollment between June 3-24. 

September 2024

• • Class meets online on the weekends of Sept. 13-15 & 20-22. 
  • Enrollment opens July 1. Return to this webpage on July 1 for a registration form. 
  • You must complete enrollment between July 1-22. 

October 2024 

• • Class meets online on the weekends of Oct. 4-6 & 11-13.
  • Enrollment opens August 1. Return to this webpage on Aug. 1 for a registration form. 
  • You must complete enrollment between Aug. 1-22. 

November 2024 

• • Class meets online on the weekends of Nov. 1-3 & 8-10. 
  • Enrollment opens Sept. 2. Return to this webpage on Sept. 2 for a registration form. 
  •  You must complete enrollment between Sept. 2-23. 

December 2024 

• • Class meets online on the weekends of Dec. 7-8 & 13-15. 
  • Enrollment opens Oct. 1. Return to this webpage on Oct. 1 for a registration form. 
  • You must complete enrollment between Oct. 1-22. 

Enrollment Style 

GLOBO uses a "by invitation" model for BTG enrollment. Given that the class sizes are limited, submitting are registration form is not a guarantee that you will be invited to participate in BTG. GLOBO screens registration forms and informs each applicant if he/she/they is invited to participate in the upcoming course or advises the applicant of alternate 40-hour basic trainings for medical interpreting.

Application/Enrollment Process 

In the two months leading up to your desired BTG course, enrollment unfolds as follows: 

1. Access the registration form for your desired BTG course on this webpage. (Registration forms are available about two months before a given course begins.)
2. Wait up to five business days for a response from a BTG Coordinator. (You may or may not be invited to participate in the BTG course.) 
3. - If not invited, a BTG Coordinator will email you information. on alternate 40-hour training programs.
   - If Invited, a BTG Coordinator will email you instructions for paying your LPA deposit and scheduling your LPA's. 
4. Take and pass two LPA's (one in English and one in another language) with a score of 9 or higher. 
5. Call GLOBO or use PayPal to pay $510 for BTG tuition and materials. 
6. About a week before the BTG course begins, you'll receive an email with final instructions for your in-person, online or hybrid BTG course.