Provincial Language Service webinar on Jan. 30: clear communication in our multilingual context

​The Provincial Language Service – a PHSA program that provides interpreting and translation services to BC health authorities – is hosting a four-part webinar series, Language Matters, aimed at providing a space to share experiences, learn from each other and strengthen our collective understanding of why language matters in health care.

The interplay between interpreting and health care is a topic that is well documented; however, the dynamics of this interaction is not always readily understood by health care providers.  The third installment of this webinar series aims to explore the dynamic of an interpreter-assisted patient encounter and provide health care practitioners with an overview of potential risk and pitfalls, as well as mitigation strategies and tools to apply when interacting with clients and families who have limited English proficiency.

About the presenters

Young Joe has worked as a professional interpreter, primarily in healthcare and community, for over ten years and is a passionate advocate of language access and the professionalization of community and healthcare interpreting. She recently became the first and only certified Medical Interpreter in Canada. Young Joe founded Bilinguals International as a vehicle to champion the continued professionalization of interpreters by providing inter-professional training on how to work with interpreters to health care professionals and social service professionals. She is currently teaching interpreting at Simon Fraser University and Vancouver Community College.

Kiran Malli has worked in the area of multicultural access and cultural competency since 1990 and specializes in access to health care for people with limited English proficiency. Kiran is a skilled facilitator with experience including training for health care providers on working with interpreters, anti-racism training and cultural competency and diversity training. She has co- developed a unique programs for mental health interpreting, and developed and implemented interpreting service programs in various health care institutions and health regions across the Greater Vancouver area.

How to register

To take part in the webinar, please register online. If you have any questions, contact pls@phsa.ca.