Healthcare Interpreting Continuing Education

Gain the expertise to aid Spanish speakers in communicating with healthcare professionals.

In Madison College's Healthcare Interpreting (HCI) program, you'll interact with experienced healthcare interpreters who will lead you towards a fulfilling career in this rewarding field.

healthcare interpreter communicating with patients

HCI Program Overview

To become a certified healthcare interpreter, "HCI" you must take the national exam through CCHI (Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters). The program, spanning 2 semesters, fulfills the 40-hour training requirement for the CCHI national exam. Total amount of textbook cost is estimated at $200. Semester 1 courses are in Spring, Summer, and Fall, while Semester 2 courses are in Spring and Fall. Our HCI Introduction class is offered online while our other classes are primarily held at the Goodman South campus.

These courses are offered by Professional and Continuing Education. Therefore, you do not need to apply to Madison College and are not eligible for financial aid.

Healthcare Interpreting Courses

How to get started: Click the course names below to register!

Semester 1

Spanish for Spanish Speakers | $199

This advanced Spanish class will help you improve your Spanish language skills whether you learned the language in school or at home. Topics will include grammar (verb tenses), spelling (accents), reading comprehension, and writing. Healthcare vocabulary will be employed but please note this is NOT a medical terminology class. Strongly recommended for heritage speakers or anyone who wants to refresh their Spanish skills.

#11708, Goodman South Campus, 5/21-6/25, Wednesday, 6-8:30 PM Instructor: Kathy Lathrop
#36294, Goodman South Campus, 11/3-12/8, Monday, 6-8:30 PM Instructor: Kathy Lathrop

Medical Terminology in Spanish | $220*

This course is intended for healthcare professionals or interpreters working with Spanish-speaking patients but is open to anyone. It focuses on medical technical language in both English and Spanish. Students gain increased familiarity with medical terminology will be presented according to body systems, clinical specialties, and sub specialties. The student will master both vocabulary and knowledge for a wide number of medical settings.

#11710, Goodman South Campus, 7/7-8/25, Monday, 6-8:30 PM Instructor: Adriana Soto
#36296, Goodman South Campus, 9/8-10/27, Monday, 6-8:30 PM Instructor: Adriana Soto

HCI Oral Proficiency Assessment | $63**

Students must be fluent in both Spanish and English to take HCI courses.
Students must pass an oral assessment in the target language with a score of 10 (advanced-superior) or above. CCHI will not allow you to take the national exam with a score less than 10.

It may take 1-2 days to process your request form and we will send the assessment to your email.

*This is a required course to complete the program.
**You can take the proficiency assessment anytime after completing the online introduction course and at least one week before enrolling in HCI Skills 1. Typically students like to complete Spanish for Spanish Speakers before taking the
proficiency assessment.

Semester 2

Healthcare Interpreting Skills 1 | $315*

This course is designed for aspiring interpreters looking to develop their consecutive interpreting skills in a medical setting. Emphasis will be placed on mastering consecutive interpretation techniques, expanding medical vocabulary in both English and the target language, and effectively managing the flow of conversation during medical encounters. Participants will engage in extensive small-group practice, working with dialogues based on real-life medical scenarios to build confidence and accuracy in interpretation.

#36270, Goodman South Campus, 9/6-10/11, Saturday, 9 AM - 1 PM Instructor: Kathy Lathrop

Healthcare Interpreting Ethics | $99*

More in-depth training about interpreter ethics for the working medical interpreter. Emphasis will be placed on discussion on case studies and the development of critical thinking to make informed choices about the best course of action.

#36292, Goodman South Campus, 10/28-10/30, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6-8:40 PM Instructor: Adriana Soto

Healthcare Interpreting Skills 2 | $315*

This course builds on the foundational skills acquired in Healthcare Interpreting Skills 1, focusing on more advanced techniques for managing medical encounters. Emphasis will be placed on intervening and clarifying appropriately, expanding medical vocabulary in both English and the target language, and effectively handling challenges that may arise during interpretation. Participants will engage in extensive small-group practice, working with real-life medical dialogues to refine their skills and gain confidence in complex interpreting scenarios.

#36272, Goodman South Campus, 11/1-12/13, Saturday, 9 AM - 1 PM Instructor: Kathy Lathrop

*This is a required course to complete the program.

Request your HCI Certificate and Letter of Completion

Once you have competed your required classes, request your certificate and letter of completion. These documents are essentially a narrative transcript that you can provide to CCHI as proof that you have completed enough training to sit for the national CCHI exam.

If you have any questions about the program or how to get started, please contact the HCI Program Manager, Jenn Sheppard: jsheppard6@madisoncollege.edu

Healthcare Interpreting Program