Fundamentals of
Medical Interpreting Certificate
August 8, 2025 - October 11, 2025
Build your Medical Interpreting foundation and healthcare language proficiency
Online Training for Medical Interpreters
Join us online to learn the basics of medical interpreting and improve your language skills in healthcare settings!
Are you interested in becoming a certified medical interpreter? Join our Fundamentals of Medical Interpreting training program, designed to provide the essential skills and knowledge required for success in the field. This comprehensive 40-hour certificate program meets the prerequisite for national medical interpreting certification and is perfect for those seeking to start or advance their career in healthcare interpreting.
Program Overview
This comprehensive 40-hour certificate program is your gateway to success, meeting the prerequisite for national medical interpreting certification. Whether you’re starting your journey or advancing your career in medical interpreting, this training is the perfect step toward achieving your goals. Sign up today and take the leap toward a brighter future!
This offering is designed for fully bilingual individuals who are native or near-native speakers of English and another language.
Program Modality and Timeframe
This program will run online synchronously on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, beginning on Friday, August 8, 2025, and ending on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
Participants will join classes using their own devices—ideally a laptop or desktop—for the best experience. A headset with a microphone is also strongly recommended to ensure clear audio during interactive activities.
The program will conclude with a two-hour paper-based written assessment, which will be proctored in person on campus during the final session on Saturday, October 11.
Materials
Textbook: The Medical Interpreter: A Foundation Textbook for Medical Interpreting
Authors: Marjory A. Bancroft, MA, Sofia Garcia Beyaert, MA, Katharine Allen, MA, Giovanna Carriero-Contreras, Denis Socarras-Estrada, MA
Publisher: Culture & Language Press
Year Published: 2016; Edition: 1st
ISBN: 978-0-9966517-3-8
How it works
Our program is tailored specifically for medical and healthcare settings, equipping you with the tools to excel in this vital field. Take your skills even further by joining our one-day workshop, Medical Terminology for Interpreters, designed to give you a deeper understanding of essential vocabulary. If you’re looking for a top-tier program that truly prepares you for the real-world challenges of medical interpreting, your search ends here.
Our comprehensive program is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge required for a successful career in medical and community interpreting. You’ll begin with an overview of the profession, exploring current trends and ethical considerations. We’ll delve into the practical aspects of interpreting, covering basic protocols, message transfer techniques, various interpreting modes, and memory skills.
Building upon these foundational skills, you’ll learn strategic mediation techniques, including decision-making, intervention, and cultural mediation. We’ll guide you in developing your professional identity, exploring your role within the field and introducing you to legal interpreting terminology. Finally, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the interpreter’s role, including advocacy, national standards of practice, and the importance of self-care and professional development. This structured curriculum ensures you’ll be well-prepared for the challenges and complexities of medical interpreting, enabling you to excel in this vital field.
Time Commitment:
Flexible scheduling with evening in-person sessions and online learning modules.
Trainer: Mr. Miguel Purgatorio
Email: purgatoriom@wcsu.edu
Certificate Modules
M1: The Profession
- An overview of medical and community interpreting today
- National ethics
- How to assess your performance
M2: Protocols and Skills
- Basic protocols (such as positioning)
- Message transfer skills (how to interpret)
- Interpreting modes
- Memory skills and note-taking
M3: Strategic Mediation
- How to make decisions
- Intervention skills
- The Strategic Mediation Model
- Cultural mediation
M4: Professional Identity
- Who are you? Where do you fit in?
- Professional practice
- Introduction to legal interpreting
- Terminology
M5: The Interpreters Role
- Managing your role
- Advocacy
- National standards of practice
- Self Care and professional development
Certificate Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Fundamentals of Medical Interpreting Certificate, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the medical and community interpreting field, including current trends, ethical considerations, and professional standards.
- Apply fundamental interpreting protocols, such as appropriate positioning, professional demeanor, and confidentiality.
- Effectively transfer messages between languages with accuracy, clarity, and cultural sensitivity.
- Proficiently utilize various interpreting modes, including consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation.
- Employ effective memory and note-taking techniques to enhance information retention and facilitate accurate interpretation.
- Apply strategic mediation skills, such as decision-making, intervention, and cultural mediation, to navigate complex interpreting situations.
- Develop and maintain a professional identity within the interpreting field, including understanding their role, responsibilities, and professional boundaries.
- Demonstrate an understanding of legal interpreting terminology and its application within the legal context.
- Advocate for the rights and needs of clients while maintaining impartiality and ethical conduct.
- Prioritize self-care and engage in ongoing professional development to maintain competence and enhance their interpreting skills.
Assessment Plan
The following assessment instruments will be used to evaluate the participants’ learning outcomes and overall understanding of the Fundamentals of Medical Interpreting concepts.
1. Mid-Program Assessment
This assessment will be conducted after the completion of Module 4 to gauge participants’ progress and understanding of the first half of the program.
2. Final Assessment
This comprehensive assessment will be conducted at the end of the program. It is a two-hour proctored written assessment, to be done in person on campus at the end of the program.
3. Participation and Engagement
Assess participants’ overall engagement throughout the program including attendance for in-person modules and participation in online discussions and activities.