Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program Application Criteria

Now accepting applications for the Fall 2024 cohort!

Application Deadlines

Application materials for the Fall 2024 cohort (begins September 7, 2024) must be received by the following dates:

August 16, 2024 

  • Application form
  • Copy of high school diploma or GED
  • Copy of a valid U.S. government-issued ID (such as a valid U.S. driver's license or passport)
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Proof of Spanish Language Proficiency

August 16, 2024

  • Registration fee – please visit our Registration Fee web page to make your payment via our online payment portal.  Participants can also pay by check in the mail.  Please note that if you are paying by check in the mail, your check must be received by August 16, 2024.

    Please do not pay the registration fee until you have received confirmation from our office that your application is complete and that you are eligible to register for the program.
     

Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program Application Form

 

 Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Minimum Age and Education

Participants must be 18 or older and have a high school degree or the equivalent. Proof of high school graduation or GED is required and a copy of a valid government-issued ID.

Proof of Language Proficiency

Participants must be fluent in English and Spanish, and proof of proficiency in both languages is required to enroll in the training program. Proof of proficiency can be any one of the following documents:

  • Proof of English Language Proficiency:
    • Copy of U.S. high school diploma or GED -OR- 
    • Copy of U.S. university/college diploma in which a degree was awarded -OR-
    • Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in English -OR-
    • Submit oral language exam results with English scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 
       
  • Proof of Spanish Language Proficiency:
    • Copy of high school diploma or GED from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
    • Copy of university/college diploma from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
    • Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in Spanish -OR-
    • Copy of state or federal court interpreter certification in Spanish -OR-
    • Submit oral language exam results with Spanish scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 

If applicants do not have any prior proof of language proficiency, they will need to complete an ACTFL Speaking Assessment. The assessment is an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI®) that is conducted over the phone through Language Testing International (LTI) in the language being assessed.  Applicants are responsible for scheduling this assessment through Language Testing International at a time that is convenient for the applicant. Once a speaking assessment is scheduled, Language Testing International will provide a phone number for the applicant to call and instructions to begin the assessment, which is approximately 15-30 minutes in length. For admission into the Spanish Healthcare Interpreter program, applicants must receive test scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2.  

Please note that it can take approximately one week for Language Testing International (LTI) to mail us an official copy of your speaking assessment results.  Please be sure to allow for this and schedule your speaking assessment for a date that will ensure that we receive your speaking assessment results by the application deadline. 

Note that the Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program registration fee does not include the cost of the speaking assessment if an assessment is needed. All costs associated with the speaking assessment will be in addition to the registration fee above, and will be paid directly to Language Testing International.  

Please find contact information and instructions for ordering a speaking assessment through Language Testing International (LTI) below:

Instructions for Ordering a Speaking Assessment Through Language Testing International

Language Testing International (LTI)
https://www.languagetesting.com/oral-proficiency-interview-opi
1-800-486-8444
Email: customercare@languagetesting.com

Speaking assessment scores can be emailed to Amber Vanzant at: amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu or mailed to the mailing address below.

Spanish Healthcare Interpreter Program Registration Procedure:  

Applications can be submitted via:

Email: amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu 

Mail: Pacific University
          School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
          190 SE 8th Ave Suite 104
          Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

Speaking assessment scores can be emailed to Amber Vanzant at amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu or mailed to the mailing address above.

1. Please submit emailed, printed, or scanned copies of the following:

  • Application form

2. Proof of minimum age and education:

  • A copy of U.S. high school diploma or GED -AND-
  • A copy of a valid U.S. government-issued ID such as a valid driver's license, passport or other valid government-issued identification. 

3. Proof of English language proficiency:

  • Copy of U.S. high school diploma or GED -OR- 
  • Copy of U.S. university/college diploma in which a degree was awarded -OR-
  • Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in English -OR-
  • Submit oral language exam results with English scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 

4. Proof of Spanish Language Proficiency:

  • Copy of high school diploma or GED from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
  • Copy of university/college diploma from an institution where instruction was conducted in Spanish -OR-
  • Submit a resume and a signed statement from a supervisor attesting to 5 or more years of verified professional experience working in Spanish -OR-
  • Copy of state or federal court interpreter certification in Spanish -OR-
  • Submit oral language exam results with Spanish scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2 

5. If applicant does not have any prior proof of language proficiency, you will need to schedule an ACTFL Speaking Assessment.  The assessment is an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI®) conducted by Language Testing International (LTI). Applicants are responsible for contacting Language Testing International and scheduling the speaking assessment.  This assessment is conducted over the phone, and the applicant is responsible for the cost associated with this assessment. Please find the contact information and instructions for how to order a speaking assessment through Language Testing International above.

Please note that it can take approximately one week for Language Testing International (LTI) to mail us an official copy of your speaking assessment results.  Please be sure to allow for this and schedule your speaking assessment for a date that will ensure that we receive your speaking assessment results by the application deadline. 

6. Once we have received proof of language proficiency or speaking assessment results, you will receive an email message to complete the enrollment process.  Please do not pay the registration fee until you have received confirmation from our office that your application is complete and that you are eligible to register for the program.

7. Respond to this email message to confirm your attendance and follow the instructions in the email to pay the registration fee.

Contact Us

General Information:

Amber Vanzant, MAT | Program Administrator
School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
503-352-7369 | amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu

For Questions About the Curriculum:

Maria Jose Rodriguez, MA, HCI | Assistant Professor
Healthcare Spanish Program
503-352-7342 | mariarodriguez@pacificu.edu