Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Internship

The recreational services department offers field work internship opportunity to students from accredited college Therapeutic Recreation Programs. The experience meets all standards set by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and each intern will have a CTRS as their immediate supervisor. Supervisors may be responsible for supervising more than one intern at a time.

Internships are offered three terms a year: Spring (January-March), Summer (May-August), and Fall (September-December).

Student Fieldwork Objectives:

1. The student will have the opportunity to provide “hands on” delivery of therapeutic recreation services.
2. The student will expand his/her knowledge and skill base.
3. The student will demonstrate competent skills in assessment and documentation.
4. The student will interact with residents and staff in a professional manner.
5. The student will demonstrate skills in providing therapeutic recreation services.
6. The student will develop and implement a new program for the recreation department.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

The student fieldwork internship supervisor will be a certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and will be responsible for making sure that the internship experience meets all criteria and guidelines set by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

The CTRS supervisor’s responsibilities include:

• Clearly communicating expectations.
• Meeting with the intern weekly to discuss goals, programs, progress, etc.
• Providing the intern with information, support and feedback.
• Completing all forms and evaluations required by the intern’s university.
• Will assist intern in finding an approved special project.

TR Intern Responsibilities:

Physical, Drug test and Background Check
Internship is dependent upon potential interns passing a physical, TB test, drug test and a background check (including NYS/NYC fingerprints).

Orientation and Training:
Prior to working with children, interns must attend and pass Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training. Interns are also required to participate in a 2-week orientation course which includes: computer trainings, pedophilia, sexual harassment, clients rights, HIV, health issues and child abuse classes as well as other campus training classes. Attendance at other department trainings, in-services and certification courses may be assigned by CTRS supervisor.

Programs and Activities:
Interns will have the opportunity to plan, implement, and lead 3 weekly programs that is of interest to them. During program time blocks, either 4:00-5:30pm or 6:30-8:00pm during school months, and 10:00am-11:30am and 12:30-2:00pm during the summer months. Interns will lead or assist recreation staff in leading a variety of programs. These may include outdoor adventure activities, sports, therapeutic recreation, WAY work sites, aquatics and/or art programs.

Schedule:

Interns are responsible for completing a minimum of 480 hours over 12 continuous weeks (maximum duration may depend on individual college or university requirements). Interns will work daily, either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday–Saturday. Shifts range from 9:30am-5:30pm (when school is not in session), 10am–6pm, or 1-9pm, working at least two evenings and one weekend day. All time off requests must be approved by CTRS supervisor. Since the Intern is working for the organization and following its schedule for programming, any College/University holidays must be requested a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Meetings:

Interns will attend weekly departmental meetings, Service Plan Reviews (SPRs), and meetings with their supervisor throughout the internship.

Program Assignments:

Interns will act as a Recreation Coordinator to at least one cottage of 10-15 boys. This includes meeting with and scheduling youth for recreation programs, WAY programs, completing assessments, treatment plans, and attending individual SPRs. Interns may also receive other assignments in other areas of the organization to provide them with community based and/or camp oversight experiences.

Documentation:

Interns will complete assessments, write treatment plan goals and objectives, generate progress notes, develop programming, and create program protocols.

Special Project:

Each Intern is required to complete an individual special project, approved by the AVP of Support Services that will benefit the organization and/or department.