Improve Patient Care 

With a growing population of Spanish speakers in Illinois, there is an increasing need for qualified individuals who can facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers. Medical interpreters act as advocates for patients who experience communication barriers by providing professional interpreting services that ensure timely, safe and compassionate healthcare. 

Dominican’s Medical Interpretation Certificate program will prepare you to meet the demand for medical interpreters in health settings across Illinois. This program is ideal for bilingual English/Spanish speakers who are healthcare professionals as well as individuals seeking to enter healthcare careers.

Medical Interpretation Certificate Program Overview 

  • 40-hour training
  • Hybrid format
  • Synchronous and asynchronous options

Prerequisites 

To join the certificate program, candidates must:

  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Demonstrate advanced oral and written proficiency in English and Spanish
  • Successfully pass English and Spanish assessment tests for certificate eligibility

Dominican itself is a very welcoming community. I really love that it’s easy to connect with your professors and your advisors here and that you’re able to get help whenever you need it.”

Fabian Naranjo
Dominican University Student

What You’ll Learn

As a student in Dominican’s Medical Interpretation Certificate program, you’ll learn how to help patients make informed health decisions and improve their quality of care. You’ll deliver and communicate improved accuracy in interpretation, gain a comprehensive understanding of professional ethics while mastering advanced medical terminology and cultural competency. Through synchronous and asynchronous formats, you’ll be equipped with the in-demand skills and qualifications to succeed in the medical interpreting field.

Our curriculum will also prepare you to sit for national certification exams by providing an in-depth review of credentialing processes and test-taking tips. 

Please be aware that additional requirements may be needed for national certification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Graduates can work in the following settings:

  • Hospitals and health systems
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  • Private clinics and specialty practices
  • Behavioral health settings
  • Telehealth platforms
  • Contract or freelance interpretation services

The need for medical interpreters continues to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 2% employment growth for interpreters and translators from 2024 to 2034 which will translate to 6,900 employment openings. Chicago market wages for medical interpreters range on average from $27-$34 per hour.

Dominican’s Medical Interpretation Certificate program meets eligibility requirements recommended by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI).

Completion of Dominican’s Medical Interpretation Certificate program allows you to pursue national certification if you meet additional requirements:

  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Complete a language exam

Dominican’s Medical Interpretation Certificate costs $980. Per the Dominican University student refund policy, course drops during the first week will be fully refunded. The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) require additional exam certification fees.

For more information,
please contact:

Chicago Campus Admission
chicago.admission@dom.edu

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