Interpretation & Translation - Healthcare

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The Interpretation & Translation-Healthcare certificate is for functionally bilingual students with a college degree (AA, AS, AAS, Bachelor or higher) AND who hold the Interpretation & Translation-Generalist certificate who wish to work as healthcare interpreters or translators. Upon completion, students should be able to provide basic interpreting and translation services between English and their other language(s) in healthcare contexts. The program is designed for students who wish to add healthcare interpreting and translation skills to their current set of job skills.

Certificate students complete specialized courses in healthcare Interpretation & Translation, as well as ethics. All students complete an internship under the supervision of a professional interpreter/translator, during which they use the skills and apply the knowledge gained in the classroom.

A program chairperson and a program counselor are available to assist students with education and career planning.

Employment opportunities for healthcare interpreters and translators are currently found wherever healthcare Interpretation & Translation services are needed. There are also many volunteer opportunities.

Note: Students are required to complete a certificate program in one emphasis area at a time-there is no “mixing and matching” of emphasis areas allowed. Once a student has completed a full certificate of specialization in one area, the student can enroll in a second (or subsequent) emphasis area and complete the certificate of specialization in that emphasis area.

For more information about the Interpretation & Translation-Healthcare certificate, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/itr.

Location: Urban (NOTE : All Interpretation & Translation courses are online.)

Starts Fall semester of ODD-NUMBERED YEARS

Close contact with an academic advisor is strongly recommended for planning, because many courses are only offered once every two years. Students in the Business ITR, Human Services ITR and Judiciary ITR certificate programs start in the Fall semester of EVEN-NUMBERED years; students in the Education ITR and Healthcare ITR certificate programs start in the Fall semester of ODD-NUMBERED years.

Program Entry Requirements:

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirement.
Complete the ITR online program information orientation including the survey.
Provide evidence of completion of a college degree (AA, AS, AAS, Bachelor or higher).
Complete the DMACC Interpretation & Translation-Generalist certificate or equivalent course of study approved by the program chair.
Provide evidence of proficiency in English with one of the following:
1. ACT score on the English subtest of 19 or above.
2. Minimum COMPASS writing score of 70.
3. Completion of ENG 105 with a grade of “C” or better.
4. TOEFL score of 173 on the computer test or 500 on the paper test.
5. Completion of two years of college study with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (or equivalent) at an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
6. Other evidence demonstrating English proficiency may be approved by the program chairperson.
Show proficiency in a second language with one of the following:
1. Evidence of completion of high school in a country where the language is spoken.
2. Two years of college study with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or equivalent at an institution in a country where the language is spoken.
3. Completion of a college minor in the second language with a minimum grade of “C” for all courses taken in the second language.
4. Proficiency may be demonstrated with other evidence, but must be approved by the program chairperson.
Students will need computer skills to be successful in the program. If students do not have these skills, completion of BCA 212 or CSC 110 is strongly recommended, but the course will be an extra course and will not apply toward certificate requirements.

Required Courses

Semester 1

(Fall semester of Odd-Numbered Years)

ITR 271 - Healthcare Term & Sight Trans Credits: 3
ITR 273 - Healthcare Interpretation I Credits: 3

Semester 2

(Spring semester of Even-Numbered Years)

ITR 274 - Healthcare Interpretation II Credits: 3
ITR 277 - Healthcare Translation Credits: 3

Semester 3

(Summer term of Even-Numbered Years)

ITR 209 - Interp/Trans Ethics II Credits: 3
ITR 871 - Healthcare I/T Internship Credits: 3

Note:

These courses are applicable to the AAS degree in Interpretation & Translation .

Total Credits Required for the Interpretation & Translation - Healthcare Certificate - 18

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$143.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

Books/Supplies (approximate)	500
Technology Fee (for online courses)	25 per credit

Approximate total cost of this certificate: $3,524*

* Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Provide interpretation services in healthcare settings.
Provide translation services in healthcare settings.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Communicate effectively in English and your other language, both verbally and in writing.
Have a good command of general college-level concepts and be able to interpret and translate them accurately between English and your other language.
Understand the basic concepts of the healthcare fields and be able to interpret and translate them accurately between English and your other language.
Know the codes of professional conduct for healthcare interpreters/translators in order to act ethically in all professional settings.
Be able to accurately self-assess your ability to handle assignments and act accordingly.
Demonstrate strong reading skills in both languages.
Demonstrate strong writing skills in both languages.
Apply critical thinking skills to complex healthcare interpretation and translation settings.
Be able to analyze and synthesize source texts.
Be able to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
Display self-discipline and emotional stamina under stress.
Possess interpersonal communication skills in both languages.
Be able to maintain professional impartiality.

What Else Should I Consider about this Specialist Certificate?

Advancement in the field may require further academic training and/or certification.
Employment as a healthcare interpreter/translator usually requires a criminal background check. Some types of criminal adjudications may be a bar to service as a healthcare interpreter/translator. Some jurisdictions require healthcare interpreters to be mandatory reporters of child abuse and/or elder abuse.
This program requires that you already be functionally bilingual in English and your other language(s); therefore, you may need to improve your English or your other language(s) before you can enter or continue in the program.
Average starting salary $33,072 (2010-2011 Placement Report).

Nondiscrimination Policy

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. For information about the ADA, the Section 504/ADA Coordinator can be contacted at 515-964-6857. For Title IX questions and concerns contact 515-964-6850.