Healthcare Interpreting Certificate
We will offer the Healthcare Interpreting Certificate over the next few semesters. This continuing education program consists of the following courses: Medical Terminology for Interpreters, Interpreting in a Healthcare Environment, Cultural Health Habits, Foundational Skills in Healthcare Interpreting, Healthcare Interpreting Practicum.
This certificate option is comprised of a series of four online courses and a practicum experience. Students who complete all of the courses and practicum and who are at least 18 years old will be prepared to take certification exams offered by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). Completion of the certificate in continuing education would prepare students who are at least 18 years old to meet the education requirements to test for both certifying bodies.
Healthcare Interpreting Program Interest FormHealthcare Interpreting FAQ
Note: Payment is due at the time of registration.
Contact Info: Eusebio Velez at eusebio_velez@davidsondavie.edu
or 336-224-4560
Course Offerings:
Course Code: Introduction to Interpreting in Healthcare
Cost: $185
Hours: 120
Location: ONLINE
Start Date: February 03, 2025
End Date: May 25, 2025
Notes: This course serves as a foundational entry into the specialized field of healthcare interpreting. It emphasizes the unique role and characteristics of professional interpreters in healthcare environments. Students will explore the impact of current U.S. legislation on healthcare interpreting and delve into the quality standards, best practices, and ethical frameworks that guide the profession. Topics covered include the nature of the healthcare interpreter’s work, confidentiality issues, the implications of different healthcare policies, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in medical contexts. By the end of this course, students will have a thorough understanding of the healthcare interpreting profession, equipped with knowledge of the necessary legal and ethical standards. They will be prepared to uphold the high quality and ethical standards expected in healthcare settings, forming the groundwork for effective and professional practice.
Course Code: Cultural Health Habits
Cost: $185
Hours: 120
Location: ONLINE
Start Date: February 03, 2025
End Date: May 25, 2025
Notes: This course explores the cultural values and healthcare practices of diverse communities across the United States, focusing on how these cultural nuances impact health outcomes and healthcare delivery. Throughout the sixteen weeks, students will delve into a broad array of topics including health habits, beliefs, folk medicinal practices, and the roles of family and authority in different cultural contexts. The course emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of the influence of culture on health practices. Students will engage with diverse cultural backgrounds, employing culturally appropriate behaviors and recognizing language as a crucial element of cultural expression. By understanding and identifying the underlying assumptions about medicine, health encounters, and illnesses from various cultural perspectives, students are equipped to facilitate effective intercultural communication in healthcare settings, improving care delivery and patient outcomes.
Course Code: Medical Terminology for Interpreters
Cost: $185
Hours: 140
Location: ONLINE
Start Date: February 03, 2025
End Date: May 25, 2025
Notes: This course is specifically designed for bilingual Spanish/English speakers in the healthcare field, including interpreters and health professionals, to master essential medical terminology. Over the course duration, students will engage with a wide range of medical terms, anatomical language, diagnostic procedures, treatment protocols, and general vocabulary crucial for patient care. The curriculum ensures that participants not only learn the terms but also understand how to apply them in real-world healthcare interactions effectively, bridging language barriers with precision and care.
Course Code: Foundational Skills in Healthcare Interpreting
Cost: $185
Hours: 120
Location: ONLINE
Start Date: August 25, 2025
End Date: December 12, 2025
Notes: Building on foundational knowledge from previous courses, this course focuses on developing interpreting skills essential for effective communication in healthcare settings. Students will engage in intensive practice of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, mastering techniques for maintaining accuracy and completeness in interpreted communication. The curriculum includes training in note-taking, managing language register and style, sight translation, and producing written translations of basic medical documents. Upon completion, students will be adept at producing linguistically and culturally equivalent messages between English and Spanish, fully prepared to facilitate interlingual communication in diverse healthcare environments.
Course Code: Healthcare Interpreting Practicum
Cost: $185
Hours: 100
Location: ONLINE
Start Date: August 25, 2025
End Date: December 12, 2025
Notes: This 100-hour practicum in a healthcare setting is split into a 20-hour observation period and 80 hours of hands-on interpreting practice. Initially, students observe experienced interpreters and healthcare professionals to understand the dynamics of medical communication. Following this, they engage in actual interpreting tasks, applying their skills in real-world scenarios under professional guidance. This direct experience prepares students for the national certification exam and builds practical skills essential for a career in healthcare interpreting.
