Sleep Physiology, Disorders, and Treatments for Medical Interpreters (Online live session via Zoom) 3 CEUs by DSHS (#868), CCHI, IMIA/NBCMI, ATA. $52/Members

 
NOTIS’s Community Interpreters Division (CID) presents:

Sleep Physiology, Disorders, and Treatments for Medical Interpreters

Interpret sleep-related conditions and treatments with clarity and confidence in medical settings.

Presenter: Nada Conner

What is this about? This three-hour course is designed for healthcare interpreters and other language access professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of sleep physiology, disorders, and treatment pathways encountered in medical interpreting settings.

Class Description: Sleep-related issues come up often in medical settings, and interpreters are expected to navigate both technical terminology and sensitive conversations. In this workshop, we will look at basic concepts such as sleep stages, common sleep disorders, and key terminology, with a focus on how they show up in real interpreting encounters. We will also touch on situations that can be more challenging, such as conversations involving PTSD, nightmares, and medication. Participants will work through three scenarios based on real-life interpreting situations: a medical visit for insomnia, a pharmacy interaction, and a call with an insurance representative. These exercises are intended to help participants think through interpreting choices, maintain accuracy, and stay within role boundaries. There will also be a short knowledge check and time for questions.

After our three-hour journey into the realm of sleep, participants will be able to:

• Identify mechanisms, engineering, and physiology of sleep: stages of sleep, REM and non-REM sleep, sleep deprivation, dreaming, and dreams
• Be familiar with the most common sleep disorders, including SDB, insomnia, and PTSD-related nightmares
• Recognize treatments and pathways to better sleep, including prescription and over-the-counter sleeping aids, devices, gadgets, and sleep hygiene
• Strengthen medical interpreting skills by practicing real-life healthcare scenarios
• Enhance their interpreting vocabulary and become more proficient in interpreting sessions dealing with sleep disorders

Participants will receive:

• Full presentation content with slides
• Glossary of terms covered in the presentation
• Comprehensive list of source materials
• Practice scenarios for consecutive interpreting, between the provider, pharmacist, insurance representative, and sleep-deprived patient and their family members.

When: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST
Check-in at 8:55 a.m. Class from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Where: Zoom access details will be included in your registration confirmation and reminder emails. Reminders will be sent twice: three days before and one day before the workshop. If you do not receive them, please contact info@notisnet.org or text 425-615-6741.

Cost:

NOTIS Members: $52 / Non-Members: $82

Join NOTIS for discounts on all educational programs, plus many other 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:

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. 

Nada Conner hadenjoyed being a language interpreter for over 30 years. She began her interpreting career in the Air Force Training Center in Tripoli, Libya, where she facilitated communications as Arabic interpreter for Libyan Air Force instructors and trainees. Her next career move was Iraq, where she worked on several military construction sites as well as in Baghdad Headquarters. After that, she worked as a Language Assistant for United Nations Protection Forces in Croatia, during the tumultuous period of unrest in the region. Since then, she has been working as a freelance interpreter and translator for district courts throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and beyond. She is a remote interpreter for several large language interpreting agencies, working very hard every day to help LEP’s get the best possible communications outcome and easily access resources that may otherwise be difficult or impossible. A native of Serbia, Nada graduated from University of Belgrade with B.A. degree in languages and literature. She is a certified court interpreter by AOC in Washington State, and also WA DSHS Medical and Social Services authorized interpreter for Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian languages. She lives in Bellingham with five gorgeous rabbits.

Certificates of completion 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 will not receive DSHS credit. 

IMPORTANT: If this workshop is approved for DSHS credit, DSHS attendance requirements apply to all participants, regardless of whether you personally need the credit. Cameras must remain on unless you are experiencing technical difficulties. We are unable to make individual exceptions.

Participants who are unable to attend the live session will have access to the recording for one month after the workshop date.

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