Health Care Interpreter

Credit Certificate Curriculum

The curriculum for the Health Care Interpreter Certificate is designed to train bilingual/bicultural students to become linguistically and culturally competent interpreters who can function effectively and efficiently in healthcare settings. Through academic preparation, practical skills training and service in community based health care settings, certificate candidates learn: a) roles and responsibilities of a health care interpreter; b) basic knowledge of common medical conditions, treatments and procedures; c) insight in language and cultural nuances for specific communities; d) application of interpreting skills in English and language of service.

Admission Requirements

Admission is based on:

1.  Proficiency in English and an additional language
2.  Attendance required at orientation
3.  Submission of written application distributed at orientation

Any student who receives a grade less than a "C" in HLTH 80, must re-apply for admission to the program in subsequent semesters.

Requirements for Certificate of Completion

Each course must be completed with a grade of C or higher or Credit.

Students must complete the following sequence of the required courses listed below:

Courses Required for the Certificate of Completion in Health Care Interpreter

Course                                                          Units

HLTH 80 Interpreting in Health Care I ........................... 6

HLTH 81 Interpreting in Health Care II .......................... 6

HLTH 82 Field Exp in Health Care Interpreting ................... 3

    Total Units ................................................ 15

Recommended courses prior to enrollment or during the first semester:

Course                                                          Units

HIT 51 Basic Medical Terminology ................................ 1

ANAT 14 Intro to Human Anat and Physiology ...................... 3

PHYS 12 Intro to Human Physiology ............................... 3

For more information call the Health Education and Community Health Studies Department at (415) 452-5158.