Course Description: this course is designed ONLY for the novice or experienced healthcare interpreter who has passed the written portion of either the CCHI or NBCMI certification exam.
Discussion during exam prep course sessions are conducted in English, and simulations (practice role-plays) are language specific (combination of English and other languages) based on participants' language pairs. Sessions include: a review of the structure of the oral portion of the certification exam; guidance on how to get organized to study; strategies to approach prompts to interpret; live simulation practice scenarios; opportunities to get answers to questions/concerns; and, a chance to team up with others to study and succeed in the oral portion of the certification exam.
IMPORTANT: as an exam prep course, participants are expected to devote between 8 and 10 hours a week to study. This time is usually split weekly in 2.5 hours in the weekly sessions, and about 5.5 to 7.5 hours a week of independent practice and study. Activities of independent study will be assigned as weekly homework, and include items such as organizing study material, researching missing study material (or supplementing current study material), and practice and self-assessment of oral performance.
Please note: while some material is provided in the sessions as practice, participants should use their own materials from their prerequisite (40-hour or similar) training for independent study in between sessions.
Please read the statement below and check the box to acknowledge understanding and agreement.
Instructor-led Exam Prep Course Requirements and Policies
This synchronous online learning engagement mimics an on-site learning environment, where only those participating of the learning process are the ones in a “brick-and-mortar” room – and not others –, and where civility, respect, and compliance with exam prep course requirements and policies are observed at all times.
(1) Set-Up and Tech Requirements
Please check each box below, next to each item, acknowledging you have read and understand the expectations that exam prep course participants must fulfill during EACH exam prep course session:
(2) Policies
(a) Policy of Conduct:
This instructor-led exam prep course is designed for the adult participant. Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, the instructor-led exam prep course host/organizer, has zero tolerance for disrespectful behavior whether during exam prep course sessions or as a result of online/phone/video interactions among exam prep course participants and/or with instructors. Examples of disrespectful behavior include, but are not limited to: bullying; cheating; plagiarism; performing any of the following actions during exam prep course sessions: engaging with others who are not participating of exam prep course sessions, listening to/reading/web browsing material unrelated to exam prep course sessions; engaging in hostile and/or denigrating speech and/or behavior towards a peer and/or an instructor; and, monopolizing exam prep course session discussions, among others.
Even though an individual pays a fee in order to participate of this exam prep course, they still have to show they care and are engaged during all exam prep course sessions.
Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, reserves the right of admission and denial to return to exam prep course sessions at all times.
(b) Good Standing Policy:
In order to remain in good standing and continue being a part of this instructor-led exam prep course, participants must fulfill all the following requirements:
(i) Abide by the Policy of Conduct detailed above.
(ii) Attend at least 75% (6 full sessions) of the 8 exam prep course sessions. If missing a portion or the entirety of a session, it is the participant's responsibility (and not the instructor’s) to get caught up with what was covered during the session time missed.
Participants who miss more than 2 sessions must contact the instructor immediately to discuss their status.
The following guidelines serve as best practices for this exam prep course, and participants are expected to abide by them when participating of this exam prep course:
> Whether a participant who is in good standing knows in advance they are going to miss a session, or they unexpectedly have to be absent, they should inform the instructor of their absence via email or text as soon as possible. A phone call is also acceptable, but it must be followed by a written communication.
> If a participant in good standing is absent, it is that participant’s responsibility to connect with fellow exam prep course participants to get an overview and notes (if applicable) of the portion or entire missed session(s). Please do not request this information from the instructor. If, after reviewing their email inbox, the participant can confirm they did not receive some or all material shared during missed session time, they can email the instructor - no texts or phone calls, please - requesting specifically what they need/did not receive.
> There are no group or one-on-one make-up sessions for missed session time.
> If a participant wishes to join an exam prep course session once it has started, they must do so in a non-disruptive manner to ensure the smooth continuation of the session. The instructor will do their best to bring late arrivals up to speed regarding sessions in progress, and those arriving late are expected to connect with peers about any additional content they missed before joining the session. The same applies if a participant leaves a session early.
(c) Recording Policy:
Absolutely NO recording (audio, video, photo, or screenshot) is allowed at any time during exam prep course sessions, unless it is part of an activity instructed to be carried out during (an) exam prep course session(s). Anyone who records (an) exam prep course session(s), or part thereof, will be immediately removed from the exam prep course, and barred from attending any future sessions, with no option to receive a refund.
(d) Reschedule Policy:
If one or more exam prep course sessions, or a portion thereof, need to be rescheduled due to inclement weather or other extenuating circumstances, Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, the exam prep course host/organizer, will work with exam prep course participants to make up all cancelled session time at mutually agreeable dates/times.
(e) Refund Policy:
Payments made towards the exam prep course fee will be refunded as follows:
> Up to 14 days before the start of the first exam prep course session: 100% refund of payment
> Between 14 days and 7 days before the start of the first exam prep course session: 80% refund of payment
> No partial o full refunds, or credit towards ANY other training or engagements hosted/organized by Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, after 7 days or less before the start of the first exam prep course session, or if a participant, for any reason, is removed or withdraws from an exam prep course which has already started.
If a participant has to withdraw from the exam prep course due to illness, verification will be requested by Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, the exam prep course host/organizer, of how the severity of the condition (diagnosis not required) affects the participant’s ability to attend exam prep course sessions or the risk posed to others who participate of the exam prep course, to assess the participant’s eligibility for a credit towards a future training engagement. Verification must be provided in the form of a letter, typed on official letterhead, from the exam prep course participant’s primary care provider or a specialist physician (none of them can be the exam prep course participant’s employer), detailing the reason(s) why the exam prep course participant is being recommended to withdraw from the exam prep course. The primary care provider or specialist physician must sign this letter, and either hand deliver it, or mail it to a physical address to be provided by Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, the exam prep course host/organizer, in a sealed envelope. Emails or unsigned letters on plain stationary are not acceptable for the verification requested.
(f) Policy for Sharing Contact Information Among Participants:
As an organization that builds community and trains on effective communication among peers in the field of interpreting and bilingualism/multilingualism, Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, formats its exam prep courses with the expectation that the following information from all exam prep course participants will be shared with the sole purpose of connecting for exam prep course session activities, during and outside of exam prep course session times: first and last names (whether legal names or pseudonyms), email addresses, and phone numbers. The purpose of the contact sharing encouraged by Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, the exam prep course host/organizer is not to foster interaction among participants that is not related to exam prep course matters. However, should exam prep course participants wish to engage in interactions not related to exam prep activities, they should use their best judgment to do so, including granting approval or denial to do so. Although Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, is not liable and/or responsible for any interactions unrelated to exam prep course sessions among participants – whether during or outside of exam prep course session times -, participants are encouraged to alert Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, of any concern resulting from said interactions.
Audio, Photo, and Video Release Form
Granting of permission, or declining to do so, is totally voluntary and will in no way affect your consideration and/or participation in this instructor-led exam prep course.
permission to Diana C. Holland, aka Diana Sanchez-Vega, and Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC, the rights of my image, in audio, video, and/or still, and of the likeness and sound of my voice as recorded on audio and/or video without payment or any other consideration. Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from, or related to, the use of my likeness, image, and/or recording. I also understand that this material may be used in diverse settings within an unrestricted geographic area.
Photographic, audio, and/or video recordings may be used for ANY COMMUNICATIONS PURPOSE including, but not limited to:
● Presentations
● Trainings and/or Exam Prep Course Sessions
● Online/Internet Videos
● Sanchez-Vega Communications, LLC’s website
● Social Media
● Outreach and Promotional Materials
● Media, including but not limited to digital, online, print, radio, and TV
By signing this release, I understand this permission signifies that photographic, audio, and/or video recordings of me may be electronically displayed via the Internet and/or in printed and/or digital materials.
There is no time limit on the validity of this release nor is there any geographic limitation on where these materials may be distributed.
This release applies to photographic, audio and/or video recordings collected before, during, and after my appearance in training and/or exam prep course sessions, with unlimited rebroadcasts.
By signing this release, I acknowledge that I have completely read and fully understand the above release and agree to be bound thereby. I hereby release any and all claims against any person or organization utilizing this material for educational and/or promotional purposes.
