Medical Interpreting Training Program (MITP) for UK-based interpreters

Cleveland Clinic London (CCL) invites you to join the Medical Interpreting Training Program (MITP), a dynamic and immersive program designed for interpreters based in the UK who are aiming to develop their skills in the medical interpreting field.

This program consists of eight sessions over two months; once a week from 9:30-16:30. The last (i.e. 8th) session will be an assessment in order to obtain a completion certificate for the MITP. Please note, only participants who have attended all seven sessions and completed the assessment (i.e. Session 8) will receive the certificate.

Please note that this is not a separate CPD session, but session seven out of eight of MITP. If you wish to register for the full program, please see the Medical Interpreting Training Program main event page.

Session 7: Interpreters’ Mental Health

Summary of the session:

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by medical interpreters, we emphasize the importance of your mental well-being. As you navigate emotionally charged conversations and potentially distressing medical situations, you will benefit from our session that includes a section on Vicarious Trauma presented by Dylan O’Reilly. Furthermore, this session includes resources and discussions focused on interpreter self-care. Your mental health is integral to your ability to provide quality interpretation services.

About the Speakers:

Sham Rahme is the Senior Medical Interpreter at CCL. She has an MA in Translation, a BA in English literature, a DPSI (English Law), and CNWL Medical Interpreting qualification. She has been working in private hospitals in London for the last 10 years and a member of NRPSI.

Dylan O’Reilly

The Vicarious Trauma section of this session will be presented by Conference Interpreter Dylan O’Reilly and is aimed at all colleagues who may be interested in the topic, especially those interpreting in settings where they may encounter traumatic speaker content.

Dylan O’Reilly has a BA in Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (Dublin City University) and an MA in Conference Interpreting (NUI Galway). As part of his MA research in 2020, he looked at how interpreting content related to the traumatic experiences of a speaker impacts interpreters across the profession, whether that be public service interpreters, court interpreters or conference interpreters. Dylan’s research was recently published in Translation Ireland, a publication of the Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association. Dylan now works as a freelance Conference Interpreter with English, French and Spanish as his working languages, and also does voluntary work interpreting for asylum seekers in France.

Bayan Abughaida has an MA in Conference Interpreting (LMU), MA in Interpreting & Translation (Durham University), MA in IT for Management, DPSI (English Law), and a Certificate in Bridging the Gap for Medical Interpreters & Medical Terminologies and Body Systems (USA). She is Leading a team of interpreters at Cleveland Clinic London, an Associate Lecturer at London Metropolitan University, and a Researcher and Project Consultant. Bayan has over 10 years interpreting experience in London.