Alumni Testimonials
Andrea Montes De Oca
BS in Biology, CSUSB, Fall 2020
MS in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling, Keck Graduate Institute, 2023
Participating in the certificate program in healthcare Spanish was extremely valuable preparation for my role as a bilingual clinical genetic counselor. This program gave me a foundation of knowledge in healthcare Spanish terminology, Hispanic cultural competence and hands-on experience that made it possible to train in genetics specific Spanish as an alumnus in my field. This program helped me to become part of the less than 100 genetic counselors in the entire U.S who provide direct service to their patients in Spanish.
Karen Alvarenga
B.S in Biology, Spring 2024
This program was essential to my path to becoming a doctor. One of the major reasons I decided to pursue medicine is to give back to my community by learning professional medical terminology in Spanish to be as accessible as I could be to the Spanish speaking population and this program helped me get there. This program allowed me to study abroad in Spain, it truly helped me expand my knowledge in the Spanish language and make me feel better prepared to interact with patients.
How does this certificate prepare me professionally?
The ability to communicate professionally about health-related concepts with individuals who speak other languages is an asset for professionals in any health-related field, especially in California where Spanish is the most spoken foreign language. Although some may have a basic working knowledge of Spanish that serves them in everyday interactions or provides them with the ability to have basic conversations with friends or family, that does not mean that they can effectively communicate in a professional setting.
This certificate will train students on the nuanced Spanish terminology and concepts within healthcare and related fields. The need for Spanish speaking professionals continues to rise, and students and professionals who want to prepare for the future of healthcare will require training that combines language, culture and best practices.
Ways that the Healthcare Spanish certificate can be helpful to someone working in a health or healthcare-related field:
- The ability to establish effective communication to get a better understanding of how your patient/client feels, their medical history, and other necessary details.
- The ability to create a healthy relationship with your patient/client and to build a sense of trust, which is necessary for saving lives or when attending to any health-related needs.
- The ability to act quickly in situations, such as emergencies, when translators are not available. As a healthcare professional, it can be overwhelming and stressful when you don’t understand what a patient/client is trying to say.
- The ability to speak with relatives of patients/clients or of someone injured in an accident about their medical history and other necessary details.
- The ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking children, parents, and grandparents (e.g. at school, at a hospital, at an elderly care facility, at a mental health institution, etc)
- The ability to promote community health and healthcare to those who do not speak English.
- The ability to understand the cultural expectations and practices when it comes to health and healthcare in the Latino community.
- The ability to provide patients/clients with a feeling that they are being understood and that their values and identity are valued.
In addition to providing an advantage in the hiring process, being proficient in Spanish can be financially beneficial. Some employers have a Foreign Language Incentive Program that addresses the demand for workers with fluency in foreign languages and offers a hiring bonus to those who meet the minimum proficiency level for qualifying languages. There may also be Bilingual pay bonuses administered in some public health agencies across the country, including in California.