Spanish/English Interpretation Career Information

Important Notice

The Spanish/English Interpretation (Legal/Court) program has been discontinued and is not accepting applications. The last semester of instruction for current and former students will be summer 2024. Please contact Eduardo Cerpa with any questions.

A Court Interpreter's Vital Role

The primary role of a state certified court interpreter is to interpret for defendants or witnesses in superior court (criminal, civil and juvenile proceedings) and for depositions. Court assignments include arraignments, preliminary hearings and all aspects of trials through and including sentencing. Examples of duties include interpreting intense cross-examinations and complex jury instructions; statements by judges, attorneys and expert witnesses who frequently use legal and technical terminology; and language that may seem graphic or offensive. Interpreters must precisely, accurately and completely interpret for individuals with a high level of education and an expansive vocabulary as well as persons with very limited language skills while preserving the complete meaning of the source language utterances. Interpreters are also responsible for sight translating written documents, often of a legal nature, from English into Spanish and vice versa.

Judicial Council of California

Legal/Court Interpretation Career Opportunities

Interpreter examinations are mandated for employment in courts and state agencies. Once an interpreter passes the California Court Bilingual Interpreter Exam or the National Center for State Courts (Consortium) Exam, they will be able to work in the state courts and freelance for state agencies, health organizations, private companies, law firms and interpreting agencies.

This program is specifically designed to prepare students to pass the California Court Bilingual Interpreter Exam and the National Center for State Courts (Consortium) Exam. While academic training does not guarantee work, it is a highly regarded reference.

NOTE: The academic certificate earned from this program does NOT authorize participants to use the designation "Certified Court Interpreter."

For further information on the profession and certification, contact:

Judicial Council of California
Administrative Office of the Courts
"Court Interpreter Program"
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: (866) 310-0689
Web: Judicial Council of California

A Medical Interpreter's Vital Role

"Healthcare interpreting takes place in healthcare settings of any sort, including doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, home health visits, mental health clinics and public health presentations. Typically, the setting is an interview between one or more healthcare providers (doctor, nurse, lab technician), health care team(s) and a patient (or the patient and one or more family members)." 
National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC)

Medical interpreters must uphold strict standards of practice to ensure that individuals with limited language proficiency have effective access to health care. In addition to rendering all messages accurately and completely, medical interpreters maintain impartiality and confidentiality in all their interactions, and may also play the role of patient advocate and intercultural mediator.

Medical Interpretation Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for interpreters is projected to grow much faster than the average for all other occupations. It also states that job prospects are better for those who hold a professional certification.

With the professionalization of medical interpreting, many hospitals and healthcare professionals now require interpreters to be certified by a recognized Healthcare Interpreter credentialing organization such as the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI). A healthcare interpreter may work for government agencies like the Department of Public Health, for private healthcare institutions, or may also work as an independent contractor.

In California, medical interpreters are eligible to work in Workers' Compensation cases, such as medical-legal evaluations, appeals board hearings, arbitrations, and depositions.

This program is specifically designed to prepare students to pass the Medical Interpreter Certificate Exam of the the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI).

NOTE: The certificate of completion earned from the Medical Interpretation course does NOT authorize participants to use the designation "Certified Medical Interpreter."

For further information on the profession and certification, contact:
Phone: (765) 633-2378
Web: National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters 

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