Interpreting in Health and Human Services
Time to Completion:
Daytime
Schedule:
8 Weeks
What you’ll learn
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!
Outcome
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 30-hour clinical rotation in which 10 of those hours are shadowing professional interpreters and 20 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.
The Interpreting in Health and Human Services assistant can be reached at 336.734.7790.
HRD Intro to Interpreting in Health and Human Services
The HRD Intro to Interpreting in Health and Human Services course is free for students that are unemployed, pending layoff, retired, or underemployed meeting the income requirements listed below.
RequirmentsTo register for one of the HRD Intro to Interpreting in Health and Human Services classes:
- Click on the following registration link: https://short.forsythtech.edu/HRDRegistration
- Where asked on the form, use one of the Course Codes from above and Course Title: Intro to Interpreting in Health and Human Services.
- Make certain you have answered all items and click submit when complete. You should then see a screen that confirms your submission – if you do not, then you have not answered all the required questions.
- If you do not receive your confirmation email within one (1) business day of submission, please call our Customer Service line at 336-734-7023 to confirm that we have received your submission.
Course Code #173340 – April 29, 10:00am – 12:00pm, West Campus Room 36
Course Code #173342 – May 1, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, West Campus Room 32B
Course Code #173343 – May 6, 10:00am – 12:00pm, West Campus Room 36
Course Code #173341 – May 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, West Campus Room 32B
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
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 January
RegisterSpanish/ 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.
| Dates | Days | Times | Location | Cost | Units | Course Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/19/2025 – 12/14/2025 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | N/A | ON -Online Courses LINE | $190.00 | 8.10 | 173498 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/16/2025 – 10/26/2025 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | N/A | ON -Online Courses LINE | $135.00 | 3.60 | 173929 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/29/2025 – 09/07/2025 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | N/A | ON -Online Courses LINE | $135.00 | 3.30 | 173927 |
| 10/28/2025 – 12/14/2025 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | N/A | ON -Online Courses LINE | $135.00 | 3.30 | 173932 |
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/19/2025 – 10/12/2025 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | N/A | ON -Online Courses LINE | $135.00 | 5.00 | 173930 |
Technical Standards
Program technical standards are to help students understand nonacademic standards, skills, and performance requirements expected of a student in order to complete this particular curriculum.
Learn MoreCareer Tracks
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.
Careers are available in a Doctor’s Office, Small Clinics or Hospitals.
Average Salary Range is $18-20 per hour for entry-level positions with potential to earn more with experience and continuous training.
Program Contacts
For more information please contact Aida Buljina at abuljina@forsythtech.edu or Billie Jo Juice-Stepto at bjuice-stepto@forsythtech.edu
To see if you qualify for a scholarship, please contact Michael Glontz at 336.757.3701 or mglontz@forsythtech.edu.