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Healthcare Interpreting

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

The Healthcare Interpreter certificate program is designed to prepare bilingual individuals for effective language interpretation and cultural brokering in the healthcare setting.

It emphasizes roles and responsibilities of the healthcare interpreter; the development of cultural competence in the community and workplace; insight into the language and cultural nuances for specific communities; standards and legal requirements for culturally and linguistically appropriate services; ethical decision-making, advocacy, and power dynamics in healthcare settings; and career preparation to become an integral member of the health care team.

Coursework covers modes and models of interpretation; development of the technical aspects of interpretation; techniques for facilitating and managing the flow of communication; medical terminology and related vocabulary development in the language of service; and common medical conditions and associated treatments/procedures in both basic and specialized health care service areas. Language coaches are provided to facilitate skills acquisition in the Language of Service.

Certificates Offered

Guided Pathways Milestone Certificate for Multilingual Speakers: Pathway to Health Sciences Certificate
Healthcare Interpreting Certificate

Dean Narinedat Madramootoo
Department Chair Yeny Lopez
Phone (916) 484-8902
Email askhb-healthed@arc.losrios.edu

Certificates of Achievement

Guided Pathways Milestone Certificate for Multilingual Speakers: Pathway to Health Sciences Certificate

The Guided Pathways Milestone Certificate for Multilingual Speakers: Pathway to Health Sciences recognizes English as a Second Language students' milestones in completing both advanced academic ESL course work and introductory coursework in several health science fields. It incentivizes them to continue taking courses in this discipline after completing higher level ESL courses and to obtain a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate degree for use in a workplace.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ESL 315	Intermediate-High Integrated Reading and Writing	6
ESL 325	Advanced-Low Integrated Reading and Writing	6
ESLG 320	Advanced-Low Grammar (3)	3
or ESLL 320	Advanced-Low Listening and Speaking (3)
A minimum of 5 units from the following:		5
AH 112	Strategies for Student Success in Health Occupations (3)
AH 311	Medical Language for Health-Care Providers (3)
BIOL 102	Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (4)
CHEM 305	Introduction to Chemistry (5)
CISC 300	Computer Familiarization (1)
COMM 301	Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
HCI 300	Introduction to Healthcare Interpreting (0.5)
NUTRI 300	Nutrition (3)
Total Units:		20

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

analyze, compose, and organize oral and written communication into effective documents and/or academic compositions.
employ reading strategies.
participate in in-depth discussions effectively.
take clear notes.
give oral presentations in a business/work environment.
convey intended meaning and formulate and use a variety of interactive strategies effectively such as clarification, polite interruption, and agreement/disagreement strategies.
research and critically evaluate information to create informed responses to issues and problems and design messages that adapt to target audiences in order to maximize communication effectiveness.
demonstrate basic knowledge of introductory healthcare or scientific terms.
employ effective communication in professional healthcare settings.

Career Information

Students who complete this Pathway to Health Sciences certificate will have gained knowledge in academic English and introductory skills in several health sciences fields, such as Healthcare Interpreting, Nutrition, and Allied Health.

Healthcare Interpreting Certificate

The Healthcare Interpreter certificate program is designed to prepare bilingual individuals for effective language interpretation and cultural brokering in the healthcare setting. It emphasizes roles and responsibilities of the healthcare interpreter; the development of cultural competence in the community and workplace; insight into language and cultural nuances for specific communities; standards and legal requirements for culturally and linguistically appropriate services; ethical decision-making, advocacy and power dynamics in healthcare settings; and career preparation to become an integral member of the health care team. Coursework covers modes and models of interpretation; development of the technical aspects of interpretation; techniques for facilitating and managing the flow of communication; medical terminology and related vocabulary development in language of service; and common medical conditions and associated treatments/procedures in both basic and specialized health care service areas. Language coaches are provided to facilitate skills acquisition, and precepted fieldwork experiences are required.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
AH 311	Medical Language for Health-Care Providers	3
BIOL 102	Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (4)	4 - 10
or [ BIOL 430	Anatomy and Physiology (5)
and BIOL 431 ]	Anatomy and Physiology (5)
HCI 300	Introduction to Healthcare Interpreting	0.5
HCI 310	Healthcare Interpreting I	3
HCI 320	Healthcare Interpreting II	3
HCI 330	Healthcare Interpreting III	3
HCI 340	Healthcare Interpreting IV	3
HCI 350	Healthcare Interpreting Fieldwork	3
Total Units:		22.5 - 28.5

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

Complete required introductory course, HCI 300, with grade of C or better.
Demonstrate bilingual proficiency or competence in English and language of service (hearing/speaking and reading/writing) as certified by accepted state or proprietary bilingual exam, or as documented by a standardized interview/essay rubric with program staff, as designated in current application materials.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

Receive application materials through participation in HCI 300.
Submit completed application by deadline, including HCI 300 transcript or proof of completion and documentation of language competency as designated.
Applicant selection in any given semester is contingent upon a minimum number of students in the cohort for a given language, and community need for the given language, as well as individual applicant qualifications.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

manage all facets of the interpreter role including the flow of the session, cross-cultural communication, conflict management, and the technical aspects of interpretation while conducting patient-provider encounters and pre and post sessions.
incorporate and apply the profession’s codified ethical behaviors related to confidentiality and privacy, completeness and accuracy, professional integrity and professional distance, professional development and cultural competence, and the role of advocacy when patient wellbeing or dignity is at risk.
integrate culturally sensitive strategies and approaches in working with diverse cultures, subcultures, and special populations.
analyze career opportunities in health care interpreting, the interpreter’s role and scope of practice relative to other healthcare professionals, and the value of ongoing professional development

Career Information

Healthcare interpreting job opportunities are available through in-house hospital interpreter services, private vendors who contract with healthcare agencies, or small-business entrepreneurialism and self-employment, both full time or per diem. Venues may include face-to-face, video conferencing, or language phone services with local or at-a-distance connection and contracts.

Healthcare Interpreting (HCI) Courses

HCI 300 Introduction to Healthcare Interpreting

Units:0.5
Hours:9 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed for bilingual/bicultural individuals interested in exploring the career choice of healthcare interpreter by developing an awareness of the roles and responsibilities of the interpreter in healthcare settings. It addresses required skills related to both language interpretation and cultural brokering and allows consideration of personal interests and aptitudes.

HCI 310 Healthcare Interpreting I

Units:3
Hours:48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
Prerequisite:HCI 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite:AH 311 and BIOL 102; or BIOL 430 & 431
Advisory:AH 311 with a grade of "C" or better; Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed for bilingual individuals interested in developing the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for effective language interpretation in healthcare settings. It emphasizes the roles and responsibilities of a healthcare interpreter and basic knowledge of common medical conditions, treatments, and procedures in the areas of diagnostics, cardiovascular, renal, ophthalmic, and gastrointestinal specialties. It focuses on insight into language and cultural nuances for specific communities necessary for interpretation.

HCI 320 Healthcare Interpreting II

Units:3
Hours:48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
Prerequisite:HCI 310 with a grade of "C" or better;
Corequisite:AH 311
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed for bilingual individuals. It further develops the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for effective language interpretation in healthcare settings covered in HCI 310. It emphasizes the roles and responsibilities of a healthcare interpreter and basic knowledge of common medical conditions, treatments, and procedures in cardiology, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal specialties. It focuses on insight into language and cultural nuances for specific communities necessary for interpretation.

HCI 330 Healthcare Interpreting III

Units:3
Hours:48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
Prerequisite:HCI 320 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite:AH 311
Enrollment Limitation:Bilingual fluency in English and a second language.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed for bilingual individuals preparing to become integral members of the healthcare team, bridging the linguistic and cultural gap between clients and providers who do not speak a common language. It further develops interpreting skills covered in HCI 320. Topics include specialized healthcare service areas, such as urology, the immune system, ophthalmology, and endocrinology specialties. It also emphasizes the development of cultural competency in the community and workplace.

HCI 340 Healthcare Interpreting IV

Units:3
Hours:48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
Prerequisite:AH 311 and HCI 330 with grades of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed for bilingual individuals completing their preparation to become integral members of the healthcare team, bridging the language and cultural gap between clients and providers. It further enhances interpreting skills covered in HCI 330. Topics include specialized healthcare service areas such as genetics, oncology, neurology, behavioral health, and mental health. The course also focuses on careers in interpreting, career preparation, and self-care for the professional healthcare interpreter.

HCI 350 Healthcare Interpreting Fieldwork

Units:3
Hours:24 hours LEC; 90 hours LAB
Prerequisite:HCI 330 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite:HCI 340
Advisory:COMM 301 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed for interpreters-in-training to facilitate linguistic and cultural communication between healthcare clients and providers. It provides fieldwork experience applying technical interpreting skills covered in HCI 310, 320, 330, and 340. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 40 hours, which may include directed practice in approved settings and fieldwork or workplace experience.