Interpreting in Health and Human Services
New introduction classes to Interpreting in Health and Human Services will be held on Thursday, April 20 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 3 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and Wednesday, May 3 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It is a requirement for students to attend one of these introduction classes to register for the program. These introduction classes will be held at the West Campus. Contact the Student Care Center at 336.734.7023 to register for an introduction class. If you are not able to attend a session, but interested in this program, please email sbowen@forsythtech.edu or abuljina@forsythtech.edu.
Program Contacts
For more information please contact the Customer Service Department at 336.734.7023.
To see if you qualify for a scholarship, please contact Michael Glontz at 336.757.3701 or mglontz@forsythtech.edu.
Occupational Description
If you are fluent in English and Spanish, if you like to help people, if you are interested in working in the health and/or human services field, and if you are looking to add a skill to your resume, then the Certificate in Health and Human Services may be right for you!
One of the fastest-growing needs of the health community is for qualified and professionally trained interpreters. Interpreters must have a strong understanding and grasp of medical terminology and common words for those terms in both languages as well as cultural understanding of the Hispanic and American Culture.
The Program
The Interpreting Program offers a certificate of completion. To obtain the certificate, the student needs to complete 269 hours (five classes) with 80% or more and a 45-hour practicum in one of our partner healthcare facilities. Classes can be taken face-to-face or online and are offered spring, summer, and fall semesters!
National Standards and Ethical Practices for Interpreters: Are you interested in learning more about the principles and standards for professional interpretation as established by the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare? In this course, you will explore cultural awareness as it applies to Interpreting in Health and Human Services. This course is not language specific, all languages are welcome.
Spanish/ English Medical Terminology: This course is an introduction to the principles of medical terminology for interpreters and translators in the medical field. It teaches the meaning and pronunciation of specific medical terms and the study of the body systems in both languages.
English/Spanish Advanced Grammar for Interpreters and Translators: This course prepares you to improve their written proficiency in Spanish and English in order to function at the highest possible level as a professional interpreter and translator lab class.
Case Studies Translator Lab: In this lab, you will translate medical case studies from English to Spanish and Spanish to English. This lab consists of computer-based training and is designed to develop and improve grammar, reading and writing skills in both languages.
*Case Studies Interpreter Lab and Professional Skills: In this lab, you will interpret medical case studies from English to Spanish and Spanish to English. This lab consists of computer-based training and is designed to improve consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills. This class emphasizes listening and oral skills in both languages. This course is also designed to build practical skills and job seeking tools.
*Students may qualify for Scholarship assistance.
Career Available
Careers are available in a Doctor’s Office, Small Clinics or Hospitals.
Entry Level Salary
Average Salary Range is $9-12 per hour for entry-level positions with potential to earn more with experience and continuous training.
Program Requirements
- High School Diploma or HSED
- Spanish/English Bilingually literate individuals
- Must attend an introduction class to register
- Take the English and Spanish Standardized Test (TABE)
- Basic Computer Skills
- Students are required to complete this program in one year
Additional Information
Interpreting in Health and Human Services Program Technical Standards
Course Schedule and Estimated Cost
National Standards and Ethical Practices for Interpreters: Are you interested in learning more about the principles and standards for professional interpretation as established by the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare? In this course, you will explore cultural awareness as it applies to Interpreting in Health and Human Services. This course is not language specific, all languages are welcome. The next class will begin in Janurary
There are no courses available
Spanish/ English Medical Terminology: This course is an introduction to the principles of medical terminology for interpreters and translators in the medical field. It teaches the meaning and pronunciation of specific medical terms and the study of the body systems in both languages.
There are no courses available
English/Spanish Advanced Grammar for Interpreters and Translators: This course prepares you to improve their written proficiency in Spanish and English in order to function at the highest possible level as a professional interpreter and translator. The course would expand your knowledge in those two language skill areas before taking Case
Studies Translator lab class.
Note: This class is mandatory for all students enrolled in the Interpreting in Health and Human Services Program.
| Dates | Days | Times | Location | Cost | Units | Course Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/13/2023 - 07/23/2023 |
N/A | N/A | ON -Online Courses LINE | $135.00 | 3.60 | 160305 |
Case Studies Translator Lab: In this lab, you will translate medical case studies from English to Spanish and Spanish to English. This lab consists of computer-based training and is designed to develop and improve grammar, reading and writing skills in both languages.
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in/or have completed Spanish/English Medical Terminology and National Standards and Ethical Practices for Interpreters to take this course.
| Dates | Days | Times | Location | Cost | Units | Course Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/25/2023 - 09/03/2023 |
N/A | N/A | ON -Online Courses LINE | $135.00 | 3.30 | 160286 |
Case Studies Interpreter Lab and Professional Skills
(This is the last class to take for students who started in Spring 2022.)
In this lab, you will interpret medical case studies from English to Spanish and Spanish to English. This lab consists of computer-based training and is designed to improve consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills. This class emphasizes listening and oral skills in both languages. This course is also designed to build practical skills and job
seeking tools.
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in/or have completed Spanish/English Medical Terminology and National Standards and Ethical Practices for Interpreters to take this course.
There are no courses available
Practicum: Once students successfully complete the five classes with a passing grade of 80 in each class, the student will be assigned a practicum location. In-order-to complete the practicum, the student will complete a 45-hour clinical rotation in which 10 of those hours are shadowing professional interpreters and 35 hours are hands-on interpreting with a passing evaluation rate. Placement is dependent upon the student’s availability as well as open clinical rotations at available facilities.
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The Interpreting in Health and Human Services assistant can be reached at 336.734.7790.
