Intro to Interpreting in Healthcare HLTH 84

Thank you for your interest in the Healthcare Interpreting (HCI) Certificate Program at City College of San Francisco. This two-semester program combines online and in-person classes to prepare bilingual individuals for effective language interpretation in healthcare settings.​

Note: We may be offering a mixed language lab to accommodate languages of lesser diffusion for qualified candidates. More details will be shared in the orientation course (HLTH 84).

Register for HLTH 84 Intro to Interpreting in Health Care

• Before being considered for the HCI Certificate Program, you must complete HLTH 84, a 0.5-unit mandatory orientation course. This course provides an overview of the program, including course schedules, requirements, expectations, and the field of healthcare interpreting. It also includes a language proficiency assessment in English and your language of service, which is required for program consideration.​ 

• HLTH 84 may be offered in one-day or on multiple days inclusive of Saturdays. We typically offer this course twice a year. Please keep an eye out for offerings via myccsf.edu (Select a Term; Subject is Health Education; Subject and Course Number is HLTH 84 Health Education.)

• The Next HLTH 84 course will be offered on xxx.

• We offer one Healthcare Interpreting Certificate cohort each year with the first semester starting in the Fall.

• After successful completion of HLTH 84, and passing a language proficiency assessment, there may be a possibility for you to start the HCI program xxx. This is a 2-semester program with both synchronous online and in-person sessions in the Fall and Spring.

Course Recommendations Prior to the HCI Program (not required)

• For students without a health or health care background, we recommend (not required) taking courses, such as, medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, and/or other health courses. We also recommend ESL courses to strengthen English writing and speaking skills as needed.

• You may also be interested in HLTH 91K (online asynchronous), Language Access Strategies and Effective Collaboration with Healthcare Interpreters and HLTH 91J (online synchronous via Zoom videoconferencing), Language Justice in Health. These are 1.0 Unit courses over 4 weeks and is usually offered in the Summer and/or Fall. While this is not part of the Healthcare Interpreting Certificate program, it does provide a good overview of the work of an interpreter, related laws, regulations, etc. This course is recommended prior to the start of the HCI program or after the HCI program.

How to Apply, Fees, and Services

• To register for any classes, you must first apply to be a CCSF student. Once accepted, you will receive a RAM ID and a CCSF email address. It is very important for you to check your CCSF email frequently as all CCSF communication will be sent via your CCSF email address.

• City College is free for San Francisco residents. Please see related tuition and fee information. Virtual financial aid assistance is also available.

• ALL questions regarding registration, please contact the Admission & Records and Registration Office.

• For all other services, please go to CCSF.edu website.

About the Healthcare Interpreting (HCI) Certificate Program 

Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Please email me at gtang@ccsf.edu and let me know the languages that you can speak fluently in.

Introduction to Interpreting in Health Care is designed for bilingual individuals who are interested in facilitating linguistic and cultural communication between patients, families, healthcare providers and health systems. Minimal student qualifications include the ability to speak in their language-pair and are interested in taking the Healthcare Interpreting (HCI) Certificate Program which includes HLTH 80C, 80L, 81C, 81L, 82, and 300.

This nine hour (0.5 units) introductory course is designed to develop awareness of the field of healthcare interpreting. Students are introduced to the California HCI Standards and will explore the roles, scopes, and practice of healthcare interpreters. The HCI Certificate Program will be explained and linguistic proficiency will be assessed. This course has a grading of Pass/No Pass.

HLTH 84 COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD

Review the Instructional Calendar for other important dates

See Spring, Summer, and Fall course offerings

Course Syllabus (Available on Canvas)

No purchase of materials needed.

1. Claudia V. Angelelli. 2019. Healthcare Interpreting Explained (Translation Practices Explained) 1st Edition. Routledge.

2. CHIA. 2002. California Standards for Healthcare Interpreters (classic text). CHIA.

3. Instructor developed materials: a. PowerPoint presentations. b. Case Studies

4. Media Resources: Videos discussing the HCI profession

5. Website: California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA)