Medical Interpreter Training Program

AHEC-NW Partners with NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville to Offer Medical Interpreter Certificate Program

The Education Department of AHEC-NW has collaborated with the Corporate Learning Division of NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) to launch a Medical Interpreter Certificate Program.  The program will consist of 102 required contact hours.  The courses provided by NWACC will be Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology for Medical Office Professionals.  An optional though highly recommended course for this program offered by NWACC will be Excelling in the Workplace.  AHEC-NW will provide the UAMS Medical Interpreting course.  By completing these courses, the student will be better prepared for a career in medical interpreting as well as ready to take the national certification exam.

Register online via NWACC's Corporate Learning Website. 

Contact Information:

Susan Pike
Continuing Education
NWACC Corporate Learning
(479) 936-5145
spike@nwacc.edu

Ana Sanchez,
AHEC-NW Multicultural Programs Coordinator,
(479) 684-5177
aperez@uams.edu.

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Medical Interpreter Certification

Program Length:

118 Total Contact Hours (102 Contact Hours Required)

Curriculum Description:

 This program is designed to prepare individuals for a career in medical interpreting. Interpretation is more than simple translation; it is the conversion of a message uttered in a source language into an equivalent message in the target language so that the intended recipient of the message responds to it as if he or she had heard it in the original. To be able to do this, the interpreter must not only be fluent in both the source and target languages but must also have the skills and knowledge base to be able to comprehend the message quickly in the source language and just as quickly re-express it in the target language. This program will also prepare individuals for national certification.

Who Should Enroll:

This program is designed for bilingual individuals who would like to pursue a career in Medical Interpreting.

Prerequisites:

Candidates for this program must pass a bilingual language skills test, and must possess a high school diploma or GED.  There is a $15 fee for the skills test.

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Courses                                                                          Hours

Medical Terminology (online course)                                                           24

Anatomy & Physiology for Medical Office Professionals                             30

Medical Interpreting                                                                                      48

Excelling in the Workplace (optional recommended course)                      16

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Course Descriptions

 Medical Terminology                                                                         24 Hours    $89

This course teaches medical terminology from an anatomical approach. Root terms are divided by each body system. The origin, a combined form, and an example of non-medical everyday usage are provided for each root term. Word associations are provided as a learning tool. Unusual and interesting information is provided in regards to each term. Root terms are combined with prefixes and suffixes as your learning will culminate in the interpretation of several paragraphs of medical notes.  This course is offered online, with classes starting each month, and is a prerequisite for the Medical Interpreting course.

Anatomy & Physiology for Medical Office Professionals        30 hours    $197

This course will enable students to gain a basic understanding of the structure and function of the human body, an essential ingredient of effective medical interpretation and a valuable skill for all medical office personnel. This course can be taken as a prerequisite course or a co-requisite with the Medical Interpreting course.

Medical Interpreting                                                                           48 hours    $299

This course is designed for interpreters of any non-English language. The goal of this course is to master the art of medical interpreting. It hones the ability to listen, understand, and convey the verbal message accurately and completely. The course employs participatory training techniques in an active learning environment.  Course time includes devoting a large amount of time to the responsibility of the interpreter; as well as role-playing, group discussions and practicing medical interpreting. A unique aspect of this course is its treatment of culture as an integral part of communication, and therefore, an important aspect of the interpreter's work. The purpose of the course is to contribute to better health outcomes by building linguistic and cultural capacity; enhancing communication between providers and their diverse patients; improving organizational support for culturally and linguistic appropriate services (CLAS); increasing providers' and patients' satisfaction; and reducing legal risks.

Excelling in the Workplace                                                               16 hours    $189

This course offers the latest business skills techniques and principles in an engaging interactive setting that will motivate employees and target performance. Topics include workplace ethics and values, positive business behavior, listening skills, time management, customer service, team building, conflict management and interpersonal communication skills.  This course is recommended for individuals working toward Medical Interpreting Certification.

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University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AHEC Northwest
2907 East Joyce Blvd., Fayetteville, AR 72703-5011

Director, Robert R. Gullett, Jr., M.D.
Main Office: 1-800-825-7961
Fax:             1-479-521-8723


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