CultureSmart(TM) 45-Hour Multilingual Medical Interpreter Training Course Offered at Riverview Medical Center, Saturdays, March 5 - May 14, 2011

RED BANK, N.J., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Health and CultureSmart, Inc. are teaming up to offer the CultureSmart™ National 45-Hour Multilingual Medical Interpreter Training Course at Riverview Medical Center, 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank, NJ, on Saturdays from March 5 to May 14, 2011. "CultureSmart™ has been offering its healthcare interpreter training program to bilingual dual role staff at Meridian Health and other New Jersey healthcare facilities since 2008. We are pleased to open this program to the New Jersey healthcare community. We believe this training can greatly enhance healthcare providers' experiences with their limited-English proficient patients while also achieving greater cost savings," says Gregory Figaro, president and CEO, CultureSmart™.

The course, called The Essential Piece™, is taught by CultureSmart™ professional trainers and is geared toward fluent bilingual speakers of English who also fluently speak Haitian Creole, Portuguese or Spanish, and wish to become medical interpreters. CultureSmart's Essential Piece™ curriculum uses realistic role-plays and lively discussion so interpreters develop the skills and knowledge base, including medical terminology, they need to deliver accurate, complete interpretation in healthcare settings. Upon completing the 45-hour course and passing the final exams, candidates will receive a medical interpreter certificate.

Classes will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., from March 5 through May 14, 2011. The course costs $695, including tuition, training materials and exams. Class size is limited. Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis. To qualify to attend this training program, participants are required to demonstrate language proficiency in English and Haitian Creole, Portuguese or Spanish, and have one or more years of college or technical school education. Current or previous work experience in healthcare settings is ideal, but not required.

"I've been teaching CultureSmart courses in Hunterdon County for several years and have always been impressed with the thoroughness and rigor of CultureSmart's curriculum. Our trainees rave about the experience. The courses are constantly being updated to include healthcare industry changes, and they also reflect a knowledge of important issues facing people who work as medical interpreters in New Jersey," says Maria V. Bononato, CultureSmart lead trainer, New Jersey.

For course details or to register, go to http://www.culturesmart.com and select The Essential Piece™ at Riverview Medical Center course. Please call Maria V. Bononato at 908.310.6302 with any questions.

About CultureSmart™

CultureSmart, Inc. specializes in bilingual medical interpreter training programs aimed at reducing healthcare costs and raising healthcare quality. CultureSmart's programs train interpreters in techniques that noticeably improve accuracy of communication between limited English proficient patients and their providers. CultureSmart-trained interpreters are generally capable of facilitating effective medical encounters that may feel like the patient and provider speak the same language. Our focus on best practices for healthcare quality ensures CultureSmart-trained interpreters support providers in delivering care, treatment, and services that meet patients' individual communication, cultural, and language needs.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE CultureSmart, Inc.