Internships in Recreation Therapy

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Internships in Recreation Therapy

• Recreation Therapists of Indiana
• Annual Conference, 2005
• Don Rogers, Ph.D., CTRS
• Associate Professor
• Indiana State University

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Why is it important to do an internship?Please
write down two or three reasons.
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Purpose of Internship (ATRA Guidelines)

• Apply academic knowledge of TR in a practice
  setting
• Develop clinical practice skills and abilities
• Assess and expand student competencies in TR
• Understand how TR fits into health and human
  service delivery systems
• Develop and practice ethical and professional
  behaviors
• Understand critical practice related issues

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NCTRC Requirements

• Highly structured, field centered and
  professionally supervised.
• Minimum of twelve-week, 20-45 hrs/wk, total of
  480 hours (ATRA recommends fifteen weeks, 600
  hours)
• Continuous with no more than 2 week interruption
  of 20 hr. req. (documentation required)
• Supervisor is full time employee in TR area (32
  hrs/wk)
• Supervisor works regularly with student, not
  simply a signature.
• Must happen at one site with one supervisor.
• Must be receiving academic credit for the
  internship.
• Field placement supervisor must return NCTRC
  verification form.

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What steps do you need to take to prepare for
your internship?
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Preparing for Your Internship

• Before the internship
• What setting and population do you want to work
  with?
• Identify possible sites using university,
  organization, and other resources.
• Know the NCTRC standards and university
  requirements.
• Have a sense about your strengths and weaknesses
  in TR (ATRA Self-assessment).
• Prepare a cover letter and resume with
  references.

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Preparing for Your Internship

• Before the internship
• Call agencies, talk to the RT, Do you have an
  internship program? Is there a position
  available (when) ? Whoopeee!!
• What is your application and selection process?
• Do you require an affiliation agreement
  (contract)?
• Do you have any other requirements of interns
  before beginning the internship?

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Preparing for Your Internship

• Before the internship
• Request a copy of the internship curriculum.
• Ask about the dress code.
• Be sure you can cover your housing,
  transportation, other bills and incidentals.
• Arrange for housing and transportation.

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Roles Responsibilities of the Academic
Supervisor

• Prepare the student for the internship experience
• Course work
• Volunteer hours
• Guest Speakers
• Field Trips
• Conference attendance
• Use of site materials assessments,
  documentation
• Case studies
• Link learning to internship content process

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Roles Responsibilities of the Academic
Supervisor

• Assist in the selection of an appropriate agency
  site
• Data base of potential sites that meet NCTRC
  req.
• Name of agency
• Types of programs
• Populations served
• CTRSs at the site and their credentials
• Any intern benefits
• Any cost to student
• Malpractice insurance req.
• Affiliation agreement

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Internship Manual

• Purpose, goals, objectives
• Academic prerequisites
• Roles and responsibilities of the school,
  student, and site
• Universitys requirements
• Include NCTRC requirements
• Preliminary section on site selection, resumes,
  cover letters, portfolios, phone interactions,
  interviews, affiliation agreements, time line
• Evaluation plan and forms
• Possible Agency requirements
• Master copies of all necessary forms

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During the Internship

• Maintain regular communication
• Evaluate intern reports and assignments
• Review evaluations
• Visit site where feasible or necessary

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Roles and Responsibilities of Site Supervisor and
Agency

• Have CTRS Certification
• Full-time employee of agency Works in RT min.
  of 32 hrs/wk. Not seasonal or consultant.
• Competent and ethical practitioner
• Send written agreement to university accepting
  student.
• Have time and ability to provide clinical
  supervision and mentoring to intern.
• Provide a structured, sequential learning
  experience.
• Review mid-term and final eval. with student. May
  implement their own eval. program as well.

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Tasks to be Completed Before Internship

• Interview with prospective intern.
• Indicate what the agency provides e.g. stipends,
  meals, immunizations, keys, name badge, etc.
• Hours of operation of the RT program and work
  schedule.
• Intern selection criteria.
• Policies and Procedures e.g. dress code,
  illness, professional behavior.
• Performance schedule daily/weekly tasks that
  build in complexity.
• Supervision schedule when student will receive
  feedback.
• Network with University understand and support
  those requirements.

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Tasks to be Completed During the Internship

• Goals and objectives reviewed with student
• Agency expectations of the intern - provide
  feedback
• Provide intern with Orientation program
• Provide name badge, keys, etc.
• Assist student in evaluating his or her progress
• Provide Clinical Supervision
• Review mid-term and final evaluations with student

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Tasks to be Completed at the End of the Internship

• Review any formal projects, papers, or
  presentations
• Complete Final Evaluation
• Write a Letter of Recommendation at students
  request
• Recover Agency property (keys, name badge)
• Intern completes evaluation of agency,
  supervisor, and internship experience
• Maintain a confidential file for the intern