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

Introduction to Healthcare Interpreting | $29*

Are you bilingual? Have you ever been curious about interpreting, or particularly in the healthcare field? Join us for an over view of the profession of medical interpretation. You just might find a whole new career for your set of skills!

This is offered 100% online as a self-paced module. Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes - 1 hour.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers

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. Vocabulary practice will be focused on healthcare terminology. Strongly recommended for heritage speakers or anyone who wants to refresher their Spanish skills.

#11432, Goodman South, 6/10-6/26, Monday and Wednesday, 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.

#11434, Goodman South, 7/1-8/19, Monday, 6-8:30 PM Instructor: Adriana Soto
#36070, Goodman South, 9/9-10/28, 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 9 or above

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 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.

Fall: TBA

Healthcare Interpreting Skills 1 | $315

This course is designed to teach new interpreters how to interpret consecutively in a medical setting Emphasis will be placed on learning consecutive technique, expanding medical vocabulary in both English and the target language, and learning how to manage the flow of conversation in the encounter participants will work extensively in small groups practicing with dialogues based on real-life medical encounters New interpreters will learn how to interpret consecutively in a medical Emphasis on learning consecutive technique, expanding medical vocabulary in both English and the target language, and learning how to manage the flow of conversation.

#36044, Goodman South, 9/7-10/12, Saturday, 9 AM-1 PM Instructor: Kathy Lathrop

Healthcare Interpreting Skills 2 | $315*

This course is designed to build on the skills new interpreters have acquired in Health Care Interpreting Skills 1. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to intervene and clarify appropriately acquiring more advanced medical vocabulary in both English and the target language, and learning how to manage the flow of conversation when difficulties arise in the encounter participants will work extensively in small groups practicing with dialogues based on real-life medical encounters builds on the skills acquired in Interpreting Skills 1 Emphasis on learning how to intervene and clarify appropriately acquiring more advanced medical vocabulary in both languages, and managing the flow of conversation when difficulties arise.

#36046, Goodman South, 11/2-12/14, 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