Medical Terminology 101: Foundations for ASL Interpreters

Self-Paced Workshop
Webpage based with content, videos, etc

1.0 PS CEUs
~10-12 Hours total time

Workshop Description:
Medical settings can be intimidating, especially when faced with unfamiliar terminology, diagnoses, medications, abbreviations, and procedures. This self-paced course is designed specifically for ASL interpreters who want to build confidence and strengthen their understanding of healthcare terminology.

Rather than focusing on memorization, participants will learn practical strategies for breaking down medical terms using prefixes, suffixes, root words, body systems, and context clues. Through guided lessons, activities, knowledge checks, and reference materials, learners will develop skills that can be applied to a wide variety of healthcare interpreting settings.

This Course Focuses On:

• Understanding how medical terms are structured

• Recognizing patterns in prefixes, suffixes, and root words

• Identifying common diagnoses, medications, and healthcare language

• Understanding major body systems and associated terminology

• Strengthening comprehension skills for real-world healthcare settings

• Building confidence when encountering unfamiliar medical terminology

Topics Include:

• Foundations of Medical Terminology

• Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words

• Body Systems

• Common Conditions and Diagnoses

• Medication Terminology and Patterns

• Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms

• Diagnostic Tests, Imaging Studies, and Procedures

• Strategies for Preparing for Healthcare Assignments

What This Course Does Not Cover:

This course is designed to build a foundation in medical terminology. It does not focus on:

• Specific sign choices

• Interpretation strategies

• "Correct" ways to interpret medical terms into ASL

Instead, we focus on developing the foundational knowledge that supports informed, ethical, and prepared interpreting.

Participants will also receive a Medical Terminology Reference Cheat Sheet and Study Guide that can be used throughout the course and referenced during future assignment preparation.

This course is ideal for interpreting students, novice interpreters, and experienced interpreters seeking to improve their comfort level with medical terminology, strengthen preparation skills, and build a foundation for continued learning in healthcare settings.

Educational Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and define common prefixes, suffixes, and root words used in medical terminology.

2. Apply terminology-building strategies to interpret and understand unfamiliar medical terms.

3. Recognize major body systems and their associated terminology.

4. Identify common medical conditions, diagnoses, and healthcare-related vocabulary frequently encountered in healthcare settings.

5. Recognize common medication naming patterns and understand their general purpose or classification.

6. Interpret commonly used medical abbreviations and acronyms encountered in healthcare environments.

7. Identify common diagnostic tests, imaging studies, and medical procedures and their associated body systems.

8. Utilize context clues and terminology patterns to improve comprehension of unfamiliar healthcare terminology.

9. Demonstrate increased confidence when preparing for and participating in healthcare interpreting assignments.

10. Apply practical strategies and reference resources to support ongoing learning and professional development in healthcare interpreting settings.

Presenter Bio:
Kayla Geide is a nationally certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and Co-Owner/ Director of Professional Development at Sign Language Studios, LLC. She began interpreting in 2016 and has experience in a wide variety of settings, including education, VRS, medical, and community work. In her current role, Kayla oversees all professional development initiatives at SLS, where she designs, manages, and facilitates workshops, book studies, and continuing education opportunities for interpreters nationwide.

Kayla was raised in Key West, Florida, and moved to Orlando for college, where she earned her AA in Interpreting from Valencia College. She later transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and completed her BS in Interpreting. During her time at UNF, she had the opportunity to study abroad, focusing on the experiences of Deaf people in concentration camps during the Holocaust — a project that deepened her commitment to cultural competency and ethical practice within the interpreting field.

Later, Kayla moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she partnered with Amy Lankheit to build Sign Language Studios, LLC. Together, they have grown SLS into a thriving interpreting and education agency serving interpreters, Deaf consumers, and the broader community.

Kayla is passionate about supporting interpreters through meaningful, accessible, and high-quality professional development, and she is dedicated to fostering growth within the profession.

DISCLAIMER:
Should you require any accommodations, please contact us at kayla@signlanguagestudiosllc.com. This event upholds nondiscriminatory practices and encourages a learning environment of mutual respect and free from bias. Sign Language Studios is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This program will offer 1.0 PS CEUs, at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.

For a full refund, contact SLS.

After purchase a PDF and email will arrive in your inbox with the workshop included!