UT San Antonio

Medical Interpreter Course: Language Spanish


PLEASE REVIEW COURSE FEES – THEY HAVE BEEN REVISED

Break language barriers in healthcare. Transform your bilingual ability into a rewarding medical interpreting skill. Our online Medical Interpreter training program was designed for individuals who are fluent in English and Spanish and who strive to achieve accurate communication and cultural sensitivity among our Hispanic patients. Obtain your certificate of completion to satisfy the prerequisite to apply for national certification.  Course creator: Diana Cavazos, PhD, MSN, RN, Associate Professor/Clinical, UT Health SA School of Nursing. 

We are happy to introduce our new instructor: Zelma Delgado, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor.

Enrollment Timeline:
  • Spring 2027: Course starts: January 11, 2027.  Important: All pre-course requirements and payment must be completed by January 4, 2027.  Enrollees must complete the course by April 26, 2027.
  • Summer 2027: Course starts: May 3, 2027.  Important: All pre-course requirements and payment must be completed by April 26, 2027.  Enrollees must complete the course by August 16, 2027.
Currently we are limiting each course to 25 total enrollees per semester (8 of those can be academic students).

Course Process:

  1. Candidate contacts program instructor to discuss interpreter training interest and course process. Instructor Dr. Zelma Delgado delgadoz@uthscsa.edu
  2. Assessment: Candidate will complete Spanish language proficiency provided by instructor and must score at least intermediate level. There is a $25 fee to take the assessment if paid by CC, if by PO, IDT or check it is a $35 fee).  This fee will be credited at the time of enrollment. This fee is non-refundable (whether the assessment is a non pass or whether the person decides not to enroll). 
  3. Approval:  After review of Spanish language proficiency assessment, candidate receives approval from program instructor via e-mail to enroll in interpreter course. You will be emailed instructions and a link to register and pay the fee for the course.
  4. Cost (we do not provide refunds –REGISTRATION POLICY):
    • Undergraduate Student Rate: $125
    • Graduate Student Rate: $600
      • To qualify for the Under Graduate or Graduate Student Rate student rate, participants must provide proof of current enrollment in an accredited college, university, community college, or vocational program prior to registration approval. Acceptable documentation includes a current student ID, class schedule, transcript, or enrollment verification.
    • Professional Rate: $1200
    • If your organization must pay by purchase order, inter departmental transfer, or a check there is an additional charge of $100/enrollee.
    • Why the change in fees? We are updating the registration structure for the Spanish Medical Interpreter Course to better reflect the different participant groups we serve.  Historically, we have offered a significantly reduced academic student rate to support students currently enrolled in college. As participation has expanded, we recognize that undergraduate and graduate students represent different levels of education, professional preparation, and career advancement. Moving forward, we will distinguish between undergraduate/academic students, graduate students, and professional/non-academic participants. Graduate students will continue to receive a substantial discount from the professional rate, while the new graduate student rate will more appropriately reflect the value of the course, instructional resources, and professional skills gained.  This revised structure allows us to continue supporting students while also maintaining a fair and sustainable pricing model for the program.
  5. Enrollment: Candidate enrolls and completes the 45-hour online interpreter course.
    • Completion Schedule: we are allowing a total of 15 weeks for completion.  One module per week must be completed and on the 15th week you must take your final exam.  We cannot allow additional time.  The course will close at the end of the 15th week.
  6. Course Completion:
    • Candidate completes course’s final assessment and course evaluation.
    • A certificate of completion will be sent after instructor reviews student’s work and final assessment.
    • Candidate becomes TRAINED medical interpreter.

45 hour didactic online course:

  1. Roles of the Medical Interpreter” the Medical Interpreter and HIPAA, Hispanic culture and healthcare practices (3)
  2. Skills of the Medical Interpreter: code of ethics, standards of practice and cultural competence (3)
  3. Qualifications of the Medical Interpreter: Federal Laws and language assistance obligations (3)
  4. Foundations of medical words (3)
  5. Body systems medical terminology: anatomical terms, common conditions, common diagnostic tests and treatments (33).

After Course on your Own:

  1. Candidate applies for national certification for medical interpreter, with a board of their choice.

Continuing Education will be provided for Nurses and Social Workers

The University of Texas at San Antonio is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

The University of Texas at San Antonio School of Nursing is approved by the Texas State Board of Socials Workers Examiners to provide Social Worker CE.

45 Nursing CE contact hours are provided upon completion of the course.

This course is not for academic credit.

Course admin: Sherece McGoon at mcgoon@uthscsa.edu.