By Roger Gonzalez

Where:

Intermountain Medical Center Education Center
5121 S Cottonwood St, Building 6, Amicus Room,
Murray, Utah 84107

Layton Hospital Telepresence Room
201 West Layton Pkwy, Layton, UT 84041

Utah Valley Hospital Telepresence Admin North
1034 N 500 W, Provo, UT 84604

Dixie Regional Medical Center Telepresence DX=RR2
1380 S Medical Center Dr, St. George, UT 84790

Medical Interpretation for the Mental Health Environment

Rogelio González, Intermountain Healthcare/Utah Valley Hospital

Understanding and knowing how to work as a medical interpreter in the mental health environment is essential to the effective and accurate communication of information for patients and medical providers. In order to promote and encourage a healthy and positive relationship of trust between medical providers and mental health patients an interpreter must know and understand some of the mental health challenges that they will encounter with patients. Interpreters need to develop the skills for managing these difficult situations and be sensitive to and effective with patients who suffer from the various mental health disorders. Diagnosis by physicians is critical and the communication between providers and patients must be accurate for correct diagnosis and treatment.

The focus will be on providing some education and understanding of how to improve our communication with both the provider and the patient through new medical interpreter concepts and skills that have been developed throughout the country for working with mental health patients. In addition, we hope to bring awareness of the skill-set and accuracy that patients and providers need from medical interpreters in order to provide a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that can assist patients and their families. It will also address the need for specialized training in the field of interpretation for mental health patients. This presentation is designed for community and medical interpreters, healthcare managers and providers, and professionals who work with mental health individuals.

About the presenter

Rogelio González attended Brigham Young University and studied, “Language Translation for a Court of Law” and is currently employed by Intermountain Healthcare at Utah Valley Hospital. In the last 35 years he has presented many interpretation workshops to court and medical Interpreters, Judges and Attorney Conferences, medical and business professionals, and local universities throughout the State. Roger continues to promote the interpretation and translation career fields and maintains a love and passion for this work.  Currently he serves as one of the trainers for the nationally known Bridging the Gap program and is licensed by the State of Utah as a professional Interpreter and translator.