The Certificate of Competency in Medical Interpreter - Spanish program prepares bilingual individuals for a rewarding career in healthcare. Program participants will gain the skills necessary to become English-Spanish medical interpreters during this 200-hour program that includes a 40-hour externship. Students will learn medical terminology, body systems, legal issues, ethics, standards of practice, and cultural awareness across both languages. Emphasis is placed on practicing interpretation in the consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation modes. Upon successful completion of the program, students will have exceeded the minimum training requirements for certification and will be eligible to take national certification examinations through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI).
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Externship hours are site specific and may require attendance any day of the week, including during unscheduled days and times.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Demonstrate general proficiency in speaking and understanding each of the relevant languages including identifying cognates and false cognates in the healthcare setting.
- Employ commonly used medical terms and concepts related to signs, symptoms, illnesses, treatments, and healthcare specialties in each language.
- Use critical thinking skills to optimize communication between patients and providers who speak different languages.
- Utilize ethical decision-making processes to serve as a patient-provider advocate in the healthcare setting.
- Abide by applicable HIPPA laws for the patient.
- Maintain thorough and complete encounter documentation.
- Manage cultural diversity in the healthcare setting.
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.
Interpreters and Translators
$43,840 Show expanded career information for Interpreters and Translators
Health & Safety Documents
Current and valid government issued photo identification
18 years of age to enroll
High school diploma or GED
Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card (DPS)
Proof of Immunizations
Healthcare Level CPR Card
Healthcare signature form completed by physician
MCCCD Supplemental Background Check
MCCCD Random Drug Screen showing negative results
PreAdmission Testing:
Receive a `Pass` on the bilingual written exam
Receive a `Pass` on the bilingual oral exam
Reading
The following is the suggested course sequence by block. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with a navigator to discuss their academic and career goals.
- The course sequence is laid out by block and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- This is a cohort program in which students progress through their course of study together in the required course sequence.
Courses Sequence
Block 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIC101 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Interpreting | Critical course Gateway course | 80 | |
| MIC103 | Medical & Clinical Development | 80 | ||
| MIC105 | Medical Interpreter: Professional Externship | 40 |
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
Students must earn a grade of ‘P’ or ‘C’ or better (depending on the course grading scale) for all courses required within the program.
Weekly hour requirements vary by program. Students should meet with a navigator to discuss these requirements further. Actual completion times may vary. A separate $15 Registration Fee will be charged per academic year.
This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
View MCCCD’s curriculum website for the Certificate of Competency in Medical Interpreter - Spanish (6 Hours Per Week) (http://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm12?id=148325).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.