CHAMPS offers medical Spanish language training for clinicians at Region VIII health centers each April. This year CHAMPS is offering a new course for Medical Assistants. Registration is now closed for the 2025 courses.

These trainings are intensive, conversational, and medical Spanish workshops consisting of medical vocabulary, mock patient dialogues, cross-cultural discussions, and daily practice. The course curriculum provides an immersion learning experience, an approach highly suitable for those with limited time, and who must use their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients. All Spanish Language for Healthcare Providers courses are held via Zoom.

Details about each course can be found below:

FOUR-DAY MEDICAL SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR PROVIDERS

Dates/Times: Four half-days: Thursday, April 10, Friday, April 11, Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, 2025. Class will be held online from 8:00AM–12:00PM MT (9:00AM–1:00PM CT) daily with highly recommended tutoring/extra practice offered each afternoon from 1:00–2:30PM MT (2:00–3:30PM CT).

Location: This course is only available online.

Target Audience: The course is intended for physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, with beginner and intermediate Spanish language skills. Other healthcare professionals are welcome to attend; however, it is important to note that only a limited amount of time is spent on terminology for other disciplines such as oral health or behavioral health. These providers are invited to tutoring sessions to focus on specialized vocabulary. Two skill levels, beginner and intermediate will be offered in separate virtual classrooms.

Description: This four-day course is an intensive conversational and medical Spanish workshop consisting of medical dialogues, mock patient dialogues, cross-cultural discussions, and daily practice. The course curriculum provides an immersion learning experience, an approach highly suitable for those with limited time, and who must use their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients.

Beginner and intermediate skill levels will be offered, with separate virtual classrooms for each level. Ríos Associates will determine which skill level is appropriate for applicants based on participants’ completed self-assessment forms. A beginner level and an intermediate level will be offered and the levels will be set depending on the skill levels of the registered participants. Although quite rare, if it is not possible to provide the needed skill level for an individual, full tuition will be refunded.

Objectives: Participants who complete this course will:

  1. Acquire/strengthen the ability to interview patients in Spanish, take a medical history, conduct a physical exam, give prescriptions and instructions, and intervene in medical emergencies.
  2. Be exposed to a Spanish vocabulary of at least 1,500 general and medical words.
  3. Develop a good flow of speech in present, future, and past tenses, and command forms.
  4. Develop an awareness of differences in attitudes between Latinos and other Americans concerning time, space, clothing, foods, health, and medical care.
  5. Develop skills to continue language acquisition through daily practice and experience.
  6. Intermediate students will be able to do all the above, in addition to using more idioms as well as complex tenses and moods (conditional, present and past progressive, present and past perfect tenses, plus subjunctive mood and its tenses).

Highlights:

  1. Building Rapport: Learn culturally appropriate greetings, leave-takings, and essential vocabulary for patient interactions to establish trust, gather medical and family histories, and conduct exams.
  2. Understanding Visits: Acquire vocabulary for symptoms, chief concerns, and medical conditions, practicing phrases to elicit patient concerns and enhance comfort.  Achieve vocabulary and cultural insights for effectively inquiring about quantifying and quantifying pain.
  3. Conducting Examinations and giving prescription & follow-up instructions: Master clear command forms for patient instructions, medication, as well as follow-up instructions.  Be able to conduct a patient interview, a physical, neurological, and other specialized exams in Spanish.
  4. Closing Visits: Develop skills for culturally appropriate visit conclusions, conveying follow-up instructions and well-wishes in Spanish.
  5. Follow-Up visits: Improve communication for follow-up visits, and encourage preventive care and available community resources. 
  6. Cultural Awareness: Gain a deeper understanding of Latino culture and its impact on healthcare decisions. 

CME: Continuing medical education (CME) is available for the four-day course as follows:

  • At least 16 hours of Category 1 CME from the American Medical Association (AMA), plus the opportunity to earn additional CME total through self-study modules at no additional charge for interested participants.

Fees: The four-day registration fee is $649 for CHAMPS Organizational Members and $799 for Non-Members.

  • The registration fee includes four half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring/extra practice, a course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided; however, another individual may substitute for a registrant if necessary.
  • Credit card payment is available but a $15 convenience fee per registrant will be added. Payment can also be made via check without the additional fee.
  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment.

Registration: Registration for the 2025 Medical Spanish Language for Providers course is now closed. Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Coordinator, Population Health, if you have any questions about your pending registration.

TWO-DAY SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR ORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Monday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Class will be held online from 8:00AM–12:00PM MT (9:00AM–1:00PM CT) daily with highly recommended tutoring/extra practice offered each afternoon from 1:00–2:30PM MT (2:00–3:30PM CT).

Location: This course is only available online.

Target Audience: The course is intended for dentists, orthodontists, dental hygienists, and other clinical dental personnel with beginner Spanish language skills.

Description: This two-day course is an intensive conversational and oral medical Spanish workshop consisting of dental dialogues, visual aids, cross-cultural discussions, and daily practice. The course curriculum provides an experience of immersion learning. This approach is highly suitable for those with limited time who must use their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients.

This two-day intensive will offer a single class for oral health providers. Complete beginner speakers and those with some Spanish language skills may attend this course. Speakers may be separated by skill level for small group work. Ríos Associates will determine whether this course is appropriate for applicants based on participants’ completed self-assessment forms. Oral health professionals with intermediate and advanced Spanish language skills are invited to attend the four-day intermediate or two-day advanced skills course.

Objectives: Participants who complete this course will:

  1. Acquire/strengthen the ability to interview patients in Spanish, take a medical history, conduct an oral exam, give prescriptions and instructions, and intervene in dental/oral emergencies.
  2. Be exposed to a Spanish vocabulary of at least 1,500 general and medical words.
  3. Develop a good flow of speech in present, future, some simple past tenses, and command forms.
  4. Develop an awareness of differences in attitudes between Latinos and other Americans concerning time, space, foods, health, and dental/oral care.
  5. Develop skills to continue language acquisition through daily practice and experience.

Highlights:

  1. Building Rapport. Learn culturally appropriate greetings and essential vocabulary for oral health histories to create a welcoming environment.
  2. Understanding Patient Concerns. Explore dental-specific vocabulary and empathetic responses to effectively communicate patients’ needs.
  3. Rooming Tasks. Practice vocabulary for dental instruments/tools, dental history-taking, and enhancing preventive care education.
  4. Closing Visits: Develop skills for culturally appropriate visit conclusions, conveying follow-up instructions and well-wishes in Spanish.
  5. Follow-up visits: Improve communication for follow-up visits and encourage preventive care and available community resources. 
  6. Cultural Awareness: Gain a deeper understanding of Latino culture and its impact on healthcare decisions. 

CME: Continuing medical education (CME) is available for the two-day course as follows:

  • At least 8 hours of Category 1 CME from the American Medical Association (AMA), plus the opportunity to earn additional CME total through self-study modules at no additional charge for interested participants.

Fees: The two-day registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Organizational Members and $429 for Non-Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring/extra practice, a course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided; however, another individual may substitute for a registrant if necessary.
  • Credit card payment is available but a $15 convenience fee per registrant will be added. Payment can also be made via check without the additional fee.
  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment.

Registration: Registration for the 2025 Medical Spanish Language for Oral Health Providers course is now closed. Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Coordinator, Population Health, if you have any questions about your pending registration.

TWO-DAY SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Class will be held online from 8:00AM–12:00PM MT (9:00AM–1:00PM CT) daily with highly recommended tutoring/extra practice offered each afternoon from 1:00–2:30PM MT (2:00–3:30PM CT).

Location: This course is only available online.

Target Audience: The course is intended for psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, social workers, addiction counselors, as well as medical personnel with intermediate to advanced Spanish language skills. Additionally, this course is good for medical providers with intermediate to advanced Spanish skills who would like to learn behavioral health terminology.

Description: This two-day course is an intensive conversational and Behavioral Health Spanish workshop consisting of medical dialogues, role-plays, cross-cultural discussions, and practice. The course curriculum provides an experience of immersion learning. This approach is highly suitable for those with limited time who must use their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients.

Intermediate to advanced skill levels may participate in this combined classroom. Ríos Associates will determine whether this course is appropriate for applicants based on participants’ completed self-assessment forms. Behavioral Health Providers with beginner Spanish language skills are invited to attend the traditional four-day course.

Objectives: Participants who complete this course will:

  1. Acquire/strengthen the ability to interview patients in Spanish, take a medical history, address abuse, anxiety, substance abuse, sleep problems, conduct a Mini-Mental, PHQ-9, GAD-7, ACE, MoCA, etc. screening/exam, give prescriptions and follow-up instructions, and intervene in Behavioral Health emergencies. As the group is small, we will focus on specialty Behavioral Health topics and tailor role-plays and practice sessions to each individual’s needs.
  2. Be exposed to a Spanish vocabulary of at least 2,500 general and medical words.
  3. Develop a good flow of speech in present, future, past tenses, and command form, in addition to using more idioms as well as complex tenses and moods (conditional, present and past progressive, present and past perfect tenses, plus subjunctive mood and all its tenses).
  4. Develop an awareness of differences in attitudes between Latinos and other Americans concerning time, space, clothing, foods, health, and behavioral medical care.
  5. Develop skills to continue language acquisition through daily practice and experience.

CME: Continuing medical education (CME) is available for the two-day course as follows:

  • At least 8 hours of Category 1 CME from the American Medical Association (AMA), plus the opportunity to earn additional CME total through self-study modules at no additional charge for interested participants.

Fees: The two-day registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Organizational Members and $429 for Non-Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring/extra practice, a course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided; however, another individual may substitute for a registrant if necessary.
  • Credit card payment is available but a $15 convenience fee per registrant will be added. Payment can also be made via check without the additional fee.
  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment.

Registration: Registration for the 2025 Medical Spanish Language for Behavioral Health Providers course is now closed. Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Coordinator, Population Health, if you have any questions about your pending registration.

TWO-DAY MEDICAL SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR ADVANCED SPEAKERS (Course Filled to Capacity)

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Monday, April 21, and Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Class will be held online from 8:00AM–12:00PM MT (9:00AM–1:00PM CT) daily with highly recommended tutoring/extra practice offered each afternoon from 1:00–2:30PM MT (2:00–3:30PM CT).

Location: This course is only available online.

Target Audience: The course is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other clinical personnel with advanced Spanish language skills. Non-provider clinical staff with advanced language skills are invited to take this course.

Description: This two-day course is an intensive conversational and medical Spanish workshop consisting of medical dialogues, role-plays, visual aids, cross-cultural discussions, and daily practice. The course curriculum provides an experience of immersion learning. This approach is highly suitable for those with limited time who must use their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients.

This two-day intensive will offer only the advanced skill level. Ríos Associates will determine whether this course is appropriate for applicants based on participants’ completed self-assessment forms. Medical professionals with beginner and intermediate Spanish language skills are invited to attend the traditional four-day course.

Objectives: Participants who complete this course will:

  1. Acquire/strengthen the ability to interview patients in Spanish, take a medical history, conduct a physical exam, give prescriptions and instructions, and intervene in medical emergencies.
  2. Be exposed to a Spanish vocabulary of at least 2,500 general and medical words.
  3. Develop a good flow of speech in present, future, past tenses, and command form, in addition to using more idioms as well as complex tenses and moods (conditional, present and past progressive, present and past perfect tenses, plus subjunctive mood and all its tenses).
  4. Develop an awareness of differences in attitudes between Latinos and other Americans concerning time, space, clothing, foods, health, and medical care.
  5. Develop skills to continue language acquisition through daily practice and experience.

CME: Continuing medical education (CME) is available for the two-day course as follows:

  • At least 8 hours of Category 1 CME from the American Medical Association (AMA), plus the opportunity to earn additional CME total through self-study modules at no additional charge for interested participants.

Fees: The two-day registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Organizational Members and $429 for Non-Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring/extra practice, a course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided; however, another individual may substitute for a registrant if necessary.
  • Credit card payment is available but a $15 convenience fee per registrant will be added. Payment can also be made via check without the additional fee.
  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment.

Registration: Registration for the 2025 Medical Spanish Language for Advanced Speakers course is now closed. Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Coordinator, Population Health, if you have any questions about your pending registration.

NEW! TWO-DAY MEDICAL SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25, 2025. Class will be held online from 8:00AM–12:00PM MT (9:00AM–1:00PM CT) daily with highly recommended tutoring/extra practice offered each afternoon from 1:00–2:30PM MT (2:00–3:30PM CT).

Location: This course is only available online.

Target Audience: This course is designed for Medical Assistants and other clinical support personnel with beginner Spanish Language skills. Medical Assistants with advanced Spanish language skills are invited to apply to attend the Medical Spanish Language for Advanced Speakers course.

Description: This two-day course is a beginner-level intensive conversational medical Spanish workshop that includes medical dialogues, visual aids, cross-cultural discussions, and daily practice. 

This immersion learning experience is particularly beneficial for those with limited time who need to apply their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients.

The intensive format offers a single class designed specifically for medical assistants and related clinical support roles. The course will walk participants through the following aspects of a clinical visit:

  • Pre-Visit and Follow-Up: This topic will include command forms (Ud.), effective in-person and phone communication skills, and promoting available resources for new patients.
  • A Warm Welcome (Investing in the Beginning – Build Rapport and Trust):  This topic will address culturally appropriate greetings and introductions, welcoming family members, and relevant vocabulary for taking vital signs.
  • Reason for Visit:  Participants will learn vocabulary for parts of the body, phrases to elicit the reason for a patient’s visit, expressions for conveying empathy, and an introduction to culture-bound syndromes.
  • Other Rooming Tasks: This topic will focus on utilizing rooming tools, conducting effective history-taking, using command forms and simplified/polite command forms (Favor de + infinitive), and strategies for arranging for interpreters as needed.
  • Closing and Goodbyes (Investing in the End): Participants will learn about culturally appropriate goodbyes, expressing well wishes for patients and their families, and vocabulary related to after-visit summaries and follow-up communication.

Objectives: Participants who complete this course will:

  1. Acquire or strengthen the ability in Spanish to greet patients in a culturally sensitive manner, interview patients, offer resources, and provide after-visit summary information, and follow-up instructions.
  2. Be exposed to 1,500 general and medical terms relevant to their practice.
  3. Gain fluency in using present, future, and simple past tenses and command forms.
  4. Understand cultural differences between Latino and other American perspectives regarding time, space, food, health, and medical care
  5. Develop skills to continue language acquisition through daily practice and real-life experiences.

CME: Continuing medical education (CME) is available for the two-day course as follows:

  • At least 8 hours of Category 1 CME from the American Medical Association (AMA), plus the opportunity to earn additional CME total through self-study modules at no additional charge for interested participants.

Fees: The two-day registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Organizational Members and $429 for Non-Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring/extra practice, a course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided; however, another individual may substitute for a registrant if necessary.
  • Credit card payment is available but a $15 convenience fee per registrant will be added. Payment can also be made via check without the additional fee.
  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment.

Registration: Registration for the 2025 Medical Spanish Language for Medical Assistants course is now closed. Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Coordinator, Population Health, if you have any questions about your pending registration.

If you have any questions, please contact the CHAMPS Programs Coordinator, Population Health.