Medical Spanish lessons for pharmacists and pharmacy staff
Become Fluent teaches pharmacists, technicians and pharmacy staff the Spanish they use at the counter: confirming who the patient is, checking allergies, explaining how and when to take a medication and answering questions about side effects. Lessons are private, one-on-one and online, 60 minutes each, and built around your pharmacy and your level, from A1 to C1 and above. Your tutor has 15 years of teaching experience and an MA in Romance Languages.
Typical encounters
| Encounter | What you say | What you hear |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup and identity | Ask for the patient's name and date of birth and confirm the prescription. | Names, dates and who the medication is for. |
| Allergies and other medication | Ask about allergies, other medication, vitamins and herbal remedies. | Lists of medication, often by brand or by what it is for. |
| Dosing instructions | Explain how much, how often, with or without food and for how many days. | Questions about missed doses and whether to stop when they feel better. |
| Side effects and warnings | Explain common side effects and when to call the doctor. | Worries about drowsiness, stomach upset and mixing with alcohol. |
| Over-the-counter advice | Ask about symptoms and suggest a product, or send the patient to a doctor. | Descriptions of symptoms, and requests for something stronger. |
| Refills, insurance and cost | Explain refills, copays and what to do when a claim is rejected. | Frustration about price and questions about coverage. |
Sample dialogue: picking up an antibiotic
| Speaker | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | Buenos días. ¿En qué le puedo ayudar? | Good morning. How can I help you? |
| Patient | Vengo a recoger una receta. | I'm here to pick up a prescription. |
| Pharmacist | ¿Me da su nombre y su fecha de nacimiento, por favor? | May I have your name and date of birth, please? |
| Patient | Ana Ruiz, cuatro de marzo de mil novecientos setenta. | Ana Ruiz, March 4, 1970. |
| Pharmacist | Gracias. Es amoxicilina. ¿Es alérgica a algún medicamento? | Thank you. It is amoxicillin. Are you allergic to any medication? |
| Patient | No, que yo sepa. | Not that I know of. |
| Pharmacist | Tome una cápsula cada ocho horas, con comida, durante diez días. | Take one capsule every eight hours, with food, for ten days. |
| Patient | ¿Tengo que terminar todas las cápsulas? | Do I have to finish all the capsules? |
| Pharmacist | Sí, tómelas todas aunque se sienta mejor. | Yes, take them all even if you feel better. |
| Patient | ¿Y si tengo diarrea o una reacción? | And if I have diarrhea or a reaction? |
| Pharmacist | Llame al médico o a la farmacia. Aquí tiene el número. | Call the doctor or the pharmacy. Here is the number. |
A 10-session outline
- Assessment and goals. Your level, your pharmacy and the questions you answer most often.
- The counter. Greetings, names, dates of birth and confirming the prescription.
- Allergies and medication history. What the patient takes now, and what has caused problems before.
- Dosing instructions. Amounts, times, food, days and common mistakes.
- Forms of medication. Pills, capsules, liquids, creams, inhalers and injections, and how to use each.
- Side effects and warnings. What is normal, what is not and when to call.
- Over-the-counter advice. Asking about symptoms and recommending, or referring.
- Refills, insurance and cost. Explaining coverage and handling frustration politely.
- Phone calls. Calling patients and doctors' offices, and clarifying a prescription.
- A full simulated shift. A set of counter conversations in a row, with feedback and a plan for the next sessions.
Your plan is adjusted to your pharmacy and your level after the first lesson.
Your tutor
- Ross Torres, founder of Become Fluent
- 15 years of teaching experience
- MA in Romance Languages, University of New Orleans
- Certificate in Spanish-English legal interpretation, San Francisco State University
- Native English and Spanish speaker
These lessons are language training. They are not a clinical qualification or an interpreter qualification.
Book a free 30-minute trial lesson
Tell us your role and where you are with Spanish. Your tutor will plan the first lessons around them.
Book a free 30-minute trial lesson