Allied Health

Medical Interpreter Certificate

Overview

Medical Interpreters enable accurate cross-cultural communication of information from one language to another in healthcare contexts. “Interpreters strive to render the message accurately, conveying the content and spirit of the original message taking into consideration the cultural context” (National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare Inc., 2005). Fluency in English and one or more target languages such as Portuguese and Spanish is required as well as sensitivity to the cultures associated with the target language.

Courses		Credits
BIT103	Medical Terminology	3
BIO105	Survey of Anatomy and Physiology	4
MIN101	Medical Interpreter I	3
MIN102	Medical Interpreter II	3
MIN200	Medical Interpreter Practicum This course, designed for individuals who are bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Portuguese, will focus on skills acquired during coursework in Medical Interpreter I and Medical Interpreter II. The course adheres to the Standards of Practice for medical interpreters as established by the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare. Students complete 150 hours of supervised medical interpreter activity in a community healthcare organization. Prerequisite: MIN102; Co-requisite: BIO105 Offered: Varies Note: MIN200 participants in a clinical site practicum must meet all immunization requirements and pass CORI/SORI checks. Please refer to the policy statements of Immunization Requirements and Criminal Offender Record Information and Sex Offender Registry Information. CORI/SORI checks may be required throughout the program.	3
Total Credits		16

Medical Interpreter Certificate Admission Requirements

Admission into the Medical Interpreter Certificate program requires that the applicant attend an information session. Students must also meet all health requirements (Immunization Requirements) and pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI) check. To remain in these programs a student must maintain a 75% average in the required courses, a satisfactory clinical evaluation, and adhere to the attendance policy.

For Immunization Requirements, see: Student Immunization Records.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Medical Interpreter Certificate, students are able to:

Accurately transmit information in the source language of healthcare professionals and the target language of patients and family members.
Adhere to the ethical code of recognized medical interpreter organizations**.
Execute the role of medical interpreter according to established standards of practice.
Function as a cross-cultural broker to promote culturally and linguistically competent healthcare to patients and families with limited English language proficiency.

*Standards reference the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC).