NOTIS’s Community Interpreters Division (CID) presents:
Understanding Basic Medical Terminology for Interpreters and Translators
Presented by Joe Tein, M.A.
What is it about?
Understanding Medical Terminology for Interpreters and Translators is designed to make the fascinating and often complex “foreign” language of medicine more accessible. Participants will learn widely used basic medical terms, and principles for deciphering new, unfamiliar terms based on an understanding of the building blocks of medical terminology. We will then review specialized terms used in different specialty fields of medicine. This webshop is appropriate for medical interpreters and translators who wish to strengthen their understanding of the language of medicine, and an excellent foundation for court interpreters who encounter medical terms in their work. Because the focus is on learning basic terms and understanding how medical terms are constructed – rather than on interpreting practice – this webshop is relevant for professionals working in any language pair.
When? Saturday, February 7th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. PST. This is a 5 hour workshop. Check-in at 8:50 a.m. PLEASE CHECK IN AT 8:50 a.m. to sign in.
Learning objectives:
- Participants will learn and understand the meaning and usage of many commonly used medical terms.
- Participants will learn how basic components – roots, prefixes and suffixes – are used to build medical terms, and will be able to understand the meaning of many new terms based on their knowledge of commonly used components.
- Participants will learn specific terminology from different medical specialties such as cardiology, urology, neurology, and gastroenterology.
Topics covered:
- General medical terms used across different medical settings.
- Components of medical terminology: how medical terms are put together.
- Acronyms, initialisms and eponyms
- Names of medical specialties
- Specialty-specific terminology
- References and Resources
Teaching approaches:
- PowerPoint presentation and handouts that present the general terms and components, with review and translation exercises.
- Video presentation on how medical components are put together to create thousands of terms used in medicine.
- Interactive discussion. Participants will be called on to answer questions and actively participate in review exercises throughout the webshop.
- Breakout rooms in Zoom to work on interpreting exercises with colleagues, translating terminology and example sentences.
NOTE: This workshop will be recorded. Registrants will have access to the recording for one month following the event.
Workshop Details
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Check-in begins at 8:50 a.m. Please arrive on time to sign in.
Location: Online via Zoom
Reminder emails with login details will be sent 3 days and 1 day before the workshop. If you don’t receive them, email info@notisnet.org or text 425-615-6741.
Cost
NOTIS Members: $74 / Non-Members: $118
Join NOTIS for discounts and additional member benefits!
Registration
Registration closes five days prior to the event. Confirmation will be emailed after registration. If you don’t receive confirmation, your registration may not have been successful. Please ensure your device meets the Zoom system requirements before registering.
Continuing Education Credits
The following CE credits have been requested and are pending approval:
| |
Credits Requested |
Approval Status |
| DSHS |
4.5 general |
Pending (#) |
| AOC |
4.5 performance |
Pending |
| ATA |
4 (category A) |
Pending |
| CCHI |
4.5 instructional CE hours |
Pending (CEAP ID #) |
| IMIA/NBCMI |
0.4 CEUs |
Pending () |
Agency Codes:
WA AOC - Washington Administrative Office of the Courts
OJD - Oregon Judicial Department
ATA - American Translators Association
WA DSHS - Washington Dept. of Social and Human Services
CA CIMCE - California Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education Credit
CCHI - Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
IMIA/NBCMI - International Medical Interpreters Association/The National Board of Certification of Medical Interpreters
NOTE: NOTIS is not responsible for refunds if CE credits are not approved by these entities.
Joe Tein is a medical interpreter and a Washington State Certified Court Interpreter with a passion for helping colleagues build their skills and knowledge. He holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and works as a freelance medical translator from Spanish and Italian into English. He is the creator of the Washington State AOC Court Interpreters’ English–Spanish glossary of legal terms and co-author of the most comprehensive online Italian medical acronym resource (www.gilbertolacchia.it/acromed.pdf). Over the years, Mr. Tein has taught numerous classes and workshops for both medical and court interpreters, in person and online, sharing practical knowledge gained through decades of professional experience. One participant wrote: “Joe has a way of teaching a lot of material in an interesting manner that keeps the students engaged.”
Certificates of Completion
Certificates will be issued to attendees who:
- Arrive on time
- Attend the entire session
Please allow time to log in early. Late arrivals are welcome to stay but may not receive DSHS credit.
Refund Policy
✅ Refunds are available if requested more than 5 days before the event, minus a $15 fee.
❌ No refunds for cancellations after that period or due to technical issues, missed reminders, or platform compatibility problems.
❌ Transfers between workshops are not permitted.
Accessibility & Questions
If you require accommodations, please contact NOTIS at least 3 weeks in advance at info@notisnet.org
12819 SE 38th St. #205, 