Comprehensive Language Access Solutions
offers a number of culturally and linguistically inclusive services designed to enhance the professionalism of community interpreters.
Language Services
Language Proficiency Assessment: An online assessment of the bilingual candidate’s oral and written proficiency in English and a target language; required for admission to CLAS interpreter training.
Interpretation: Face-to- face interpretation by qualified or certified interpreters; all interpreters have demonstrated proficiency in English and one or more target languages and successfully completed the CLAS 40-hour Healthcare Interpreting course or equivalent training as required by industry standards.
Consultation in language access program implementation: Establishing cost-effective organizational language services by assessing language needs and capacity, developing policies and protocols, and training administrators and staff.
Professional Development for Interpreters
Healthcare Interpreting – A 40-Hour Course: An interactive, foundational course for healthcare interpreters covering ethics, boundaries, modes and techniques of interpreting, cultural competence, HIPAA, standard precautions and memory development.
Healthcare Interpreting – A Refresher: An 8-hour class designed to reinforce basic skills and knowledge while addressing professional issues that emerge in interpreted encounters.
Professional Development for Service Providers
Communicating Through Interpreters: A one-two hour experiential, in-service workshop that demonstrates the basic tools for managing interpreted encounters; appropriate for employees at all organizational levels.
Cultural Competence in Patient-Centered Care: A four-eight hour interactive workshop exploring principles, skills and knowledge for the delivery of culturally competent, patient-centered care. Stand-alone or introductory to culture and heath specific topics.
Communities and traditional health beliefs/practices:
A series of half to full-day sessions taught by bilingual/bicultural instructors from Mexico/Central America, East Africa, Middle East/South Asia and South East Asia.
Comprehensive Language Access Solutions
In a diverse market with complicated regulatory requirements, assuring culturally and linguistically appropriate services is a clear competitive advantage. Comprehensive Language Access Solutions, LLC (CLAS) is a single source for on-site interpretation, language services implementation and professional development for providers, bilingual staff and interpreters. A locally-owned, minority small business,
CLAS brings together the 17-year interpreting experience of principal, Alejandro Suarez, with that of associates whose expertise spans more than four decades in language access and cultural competence. The CLAS recruiting, training and quality assurance measures guarantee the effective communication necessary for patient-centered care, successful outcomes and compliance with industry standards.