1. Home
  2. Self-Directed Track

Self-Directed Track

Montage of 10 images of different people who have contributed to Level Up content

Logo - Project Level Up with an arrow pointing upward, CATIE Center, St. Catherine University


Project Level Up has created a self-directed track that is open to anyone who wants to take their abilities to the next level related to interpreting in healthcare settings. You could be a certified or non certified interpreter, a working professional, or a lifelong learner, to name a few examples. These are the courses in development that you can tap in to raise your knowledge and skills.

2023 Schedule

This schedule is our best projection for when resources will be available.

Course

Type

Availability

Description

Intersectionality in Healthcare  

Webshop

 

January 3-31 This webshop provides an overview of structures of oppression and privilege using the theory of kyriarchy. It also discusses intersectionality within the Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing communities. 
Healthcare Systems for Sign Language Interpreters  

Module

 

February 1-28 Healthcare systems can be hard to access and navigate for patients, family members, and advocates. This 20 hour module provides sign language interpreters the foundational understanding of healthcare systems. It will cover the additional barriers Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals experience and how those impact health outcomes. Through a systems approach interpreters can facilitate the connection between Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals and healthcare systems.
Introduction to Pharmacology & Medical Terminology  

Module

 

March 1-31 The ability to describe varying kinds of medications as well as  human anatomy are foundational skills for ASL/English interpreters to work effectively in healthcare settings. This  module is an introduction to pharmacology and how medications impact the body. It also addresses terminology origins, medical roots, suffixes, and prefixes, and applies those terms to the body systems which they affect. Medication dosing will provide interpreters with a working knowledge of medications used in medical settings and how to accurately relay medication information, e.g., medication dosing, dosing intervals, duration, tapering and side effects.
Human Sexuality Webshop May 1-31 Cultural competencies are essential when interpreting between people of varying cultures within human sexuality settings. It is important to recognize how cultural differences impact the interpreting needs. This webshop provides an overview of human sexuality and body autonomy. It also discusses ways people engage and connection in various types of relationships and the importance of understanding differing intimate experiences.
Public Health Module June 1-30 The goal of the learning modules is to focus on different aspects of public health, including considerations for interpreters working as a team to meet the needs of varied and diverse patients. While the module only covers 16 topic areas, participants will have a better understanding of public health and the barriers the deaf community face to translate learning into their work and into other areas of their work.
No offerings available this month July Self-Directed track will resume in August
Employment’s Impact on Healthcare Outcomes Webshop August 1-31 Employment and health are inextricably linked. Employment and income have a direct impact on life expectancy, quality of life, and healthcare costs. Relatedly, medical health has a direct impact on employability. Employment can improve an individual’s physical and mental well-being, while job loss can have a detrimental effect. At the same time, poor health can impact the ability of an individual to get and maintain a job. Working age people with disabilities are less likely to be employed than those without disabilities. They are also more likely to have depression, anxiety, and chronic disease including diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Their lack of employment exacerbates these conditions, creating a cycle where unemployment leads to ill health and ill health leads to unemployment. 
Audiology: A Deaf Perspective Webshop August 1-31 This webshop is to introduce you to fundamental background information about the general process of hearing, hearing-related appointments, and assistive technology you may be in contact with during these interactions. This offering comes from the explanation and perspective of a Deaf Audiologist. This webshop also exposes you to information that might be necessary when working with Deaf professionals that support people with hearing differences. 
No offerings available this month September Self-Directed Track will resume in October
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) in Healthcare settings Webshop October 1-31 More information coming soon
Oral Health Module November 1-30 More information coming soon
Intersectionality in Healthcare settings Webshop November 1-30 More Information coming soon
No offerings available this month December Self-Directed Track resumes in January. Check back for the 2024 schedule!
Modules

Modules are interactive online classes. Participants are expected to invest about 20 hours of work over five weeks for each module. There are no required meeting times, but we’ve designed the content for weekly work. All work must be completed by the ending date of the module.

Webshops

These self-directed webshops are interactive mini online classes. They require about 1.5 hours of time. Mini-lectures throughout the webshops are presented in ASL. English captions are available if needed.

Montage of 11 people who contributed to Level Up content