CHAMPS offers medical Spanish language training for clinicians at Region VIII health centers each April. Registration is now open for the 2026 courses.

These trainings are intensive medical Spanish workshops consisting of clinical 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 9, Friday, April 10, Thursday, April 16, and Friday, April 17, 2026. Class will be held online from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM MT / 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT each day with recommended extra practice/tutoring offered each afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 PM MT / 2:00 to 3:30 PM CT.

Location: This course is only available online.

Target Audience: The course is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other medical personnel 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 and behavioral health.

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)

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.

Registration Fee: The four-day course registration fee is $649 for CHAMPS Members and $799 for Non-Members. Please click here to see a listing of CHAMPS Organizational Members.

  • The registration fee includes four half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring, course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided, however, if necessary, another individual may substitute for a registrant. CHAMPS must be notified in writing of the substitution at least two days before the first class, and the substitute participant must complete the registration form including the self-assessment form.
  • 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: Registration for the 2026 Medical Spanish Language for Providers course is now open. Please complete the online registration and self-assessment form here.

  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment. The registration deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026, or when registration is full.

Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Specialist, Population Health if you have any questions about this course.

TWO-DAY SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR ORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Monday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Class will be held online from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM MT / 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT each day with recommended extra practice/tutoring offered each afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 PM MT / 2:00 to 3:30 PM 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 immersion learning experience. 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.

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.

Registration Fee: The two-day course registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Members and $429 for Non-Members. Please click here to see a listing of CHAMPS Organizational Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring/extra practice, course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided, however, if necessary, another individual may substitute for a registrant. CHAMPS must be notified in writing of the substitution at least two days before the first class, and the substitute participant must complete the registration form including the self-assessment form.
  • 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: Registration for the 2026 Medical Spanish Language for Oral Health Providers course is now open. Please complete the online registration and self-assessment form here.

  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment. The registration deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026, or when registration is full.

Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Specialist, Population Health if you have any questions about this course.

TWO-DAY SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Class will be held online from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM MT / 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT each day with recommended extra practice/tutoring offered each afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 PM MT / 2:00 to 3:30 PM CT.

Location: This course is only available online.

Target Audience: The course is intended for psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, social workers, addiction counselors, and other behavioral health 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 immersion learning experience. 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.

Registration Fee: The two-day course registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Members and $429 for Non-Members. Please click here to see a listing of CHAMPS Organizational Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring, course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided, however, if necessary, another individual may substitute for a registrant. CHAMPS must be notified in writing of the substitution at least two days before the first class, and the substitute participant must complete the registration form including the self-assessment form.
  • 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: Registration for the 2026 Medical Spanish Language for Behavioral Health Providers course is now open. Please complete the online registration and self-assessment form here.

  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment. The registration deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026, or when registration is full.

Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Specialist, Population Health if you have any questions about this course.

TWO-DAY MEDICAL SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR ADVANCED SPEAKERS

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Monday, April 20 and Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Class will be held online from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM MT / 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT each day with recommended extra practice/tutoring offered each afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 PM MT / 2:00 to 3:30 PM 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.

Description: This two-day course is an intensive conversational and medical Spanish workshop consisting of medical dialogues, visual aids, role plays, cross-cultural discussions, and daily practice. The course curriculum provides an immersion learning experience. 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.

Registration Fee: The two-day course registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Members and $429 for Non-Members. Please click here to see a listing of CHAMPS Organizational Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring, course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided, however, if necessary, another individual may substitute for a registrant. CHAMPS must be notified in writing of the substitution at least two days before the first class, and the substitute participant must complete the registration form including the self-assessment form.
  • 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: Registration for the 2026 Medical Spanish Language for Advanced Speakers course is now open. Please complete the online registration and self-assessment form here.

  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment. The registration deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026, or when registration is full.

Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Specialist, Population Health if you have any questions about this course.

TWO-DAY MEDICAL SPANISH LANGUAGE FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS

Dates/Times: Two half-days: Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, 2026. Class will be held online from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM MT / 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT each day with recommended extra practice/tutoring offered each afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 PM MT / 2:00 to 3:30 PM 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.

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, 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, along with 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.

Registration Fee: The two-day course registration fee is $349 for CHAMPS Members and $429 for Non-Members. Please click here to see a listing of CHAMPS Organizational Members.

  • The registration fee includes two half-days of online Spanish language instruction, tutoring, course book, and CME.
  • Full payment of the registration fee is due in advance. Refunds will not be provided, however, if necessary, another individual may substitute for a registrant. CHAMPS must be notified in writing of the substitution at least two days before the first class, and the substitute participant must complete the registration form including the self-assessment form.

Registration: Registration for the 2026 Medical Spanish Language for Advanced Speakers course is now open. Please complete the online registration and self-assessment form here.

  • Registration for the online class is complete when CHAMPS has received completed registration and self-assessment forms and Ríos Associates has received payment. The registration deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026, or when registration is full.

Please contact the CHAMPS Programs Specialist, Population Health if you have any questions about this course.