Health Care Interpreter

Program Lead Instructor and Coordinator: Jose Arrezola
Other faculty members and language coaches: Maria Mejia, Rocio Rodriguez, and Marivel Topete

The Health Care Interpreter Program is dedicated to promoting excellence and professionalism in interpretative services and to enhance the provision of health and social services to ethnic communities.

The curriculum for the Health Care Interpreter Certificate is designed to train bilingual and bi-cultural students to develop awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for effective language interpretation in health care settings. Through academic preparation, practical skills training, and service hours in community based health care settings and educational organizations, certificate candidates learn:

• roles and responsibilities of a health care interpreter
• basic knowledge of common medical conditions, treatments, and procedures
• insight in language and cultural nuances for specific communities
• application of interpreting skills in English and the language of service

Health Care Interpreter (CN)

• HEALTH 14 - Interpreting in Health Care I (4 units)
• HEALTH 15 - Interpreting in Health Care II (4 units)
• HEALTH 16 - Field Experience in Health Care Interpreting (4 units)

Health Care Interpreter Certification Program-Spanish

Successful students obtain a Certificate in Health Care Interpreting.

The program consists of 3 college level courses for a total of 15 college credits (288 to 300 hours). It takes two consecutive semesters to complete it.

Classes are scheduled to be held on the Reedley College campus, while skill practices take place at hospitals and medical clinics in the area. Classes will meet two times per week.

Health Care Interpreter Certification Curriculum
The curriculum for the Health Care Interpreter Certificate is designed to train bilingual and bi-cultural students to develop awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for effective language interpretation in health care settings. Through academic preparation, practical skills training, and service hours in community based health care settings and educational organizations, certificate candidates learn:

• roles and responsibilities of a health care interpreter
• basic knowledge of common medical conditions, treatments, and procedures
• insight in language and cultural nuances for specific communities
• application of interpreting skills in English and the language of service