Therapeutic Recreation Internship/Practicum Overview
Explore the essential components of a Therapeutic Recreation Internship/Practicum, including assignments, special service projects, weekly online discussions, SMART goals, and student responsibilities. Discover how to maximize your learning experience and make a meaningful impact at your agency through guided projects and shared reflections with peers.
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Therapeutic Recreation Internship/Practicum Friday February 28th, 2020 Zac Crouse, Marina Christman, Devan McNeill, & Aimee Douziech
Agenda Follow-up with the last meeting More information on assignments Students Responsibilities and Internship Timeline Pre-internship survey Recommendations for contacting potential supervisors Resume and cover letter Things to do in the next few weeks
More Information on Assignments All assignments should generally be done on your own time outside of the agency, however, there may be aspects of your assignments that need to be done at your agency (access to certain documents, discussion with residents, etc). It s important to discuss these aspects with your internship supervisor.
Special Service Project It needs to be something useful to your agency! This project is your responsibility from start to finish and it should be guided by your experience at your agency are there areas that need further development, gaps in care, needed program support/evidence to support, etc. Communication with your internship supervisor is important in developing what you plan on doing. Examples: Comprehensive program plan Multiple specific program plans/protocols Case study Best practice article review Grading is on Moodle draft, update, and final. Both your internship supervisor and your academic supervisor are evaluating and grading your special project.
Weekly Online Discussion These will include weekly questions posted on Moodle. There is lots that can be learned when reflecting and having shared discussion with peers. Grading is on Moodle/within internship manual your academic supervisor will be evaluating and grading these
SMART Goals Both you and your supervisor have shared responsibilities in ensuring these are achievable. Communication with your supervisor is an important aspect in developing your goals. Grading will be based on the evaluation completed by your agency/site supervisor, however, your academic supervisor will still be reviewing these and giving the final grade. Make sure your goals are SMART (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time based).
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Before the Internship/Practicum (12 1 months prior) Reflect on what population, setting, agency, and geographic area you wish to complete the internship. Please fill out the pre-internship survey and submit it to the internship specialist no later than March 6th2020. Review and familiarize yourself with NCTRC Standards and the Student Internship Guide (nctrc.org). Prepare a current and up-to-date resume and cover letter with list of references. Thoroughly review the University of Lethbridge s Internship Manual (will be available at the end of March 2020). Complete an application for internship to a specific agency or start looking for a supervisor that you can contact directly. Prepare for your interview.
The agency will contact you for an interview. Once interviewed you will be contacted by the agency if you are a successful candidate. It is highly recommended that you provide the agency a response regarding your acceptance no later than 1 week after being contacted by them. Although you may have more than one potential option, it is important to be decisive and timely as this reflects on your professionalism and allows the agency time to plan accordingly. Confirm internship experience by completing Internship Agreement. Review agency prerequisites for internships. Inquire about the agency s dress code by contacting the site/agency supervisor in advance and be sure to inquire about the working schedule and any other questions you may have. Prepare a personal budget to make certain you have the finances to support participation in the internship for 15 weeks. Ensure you have adequate accommodations set up for you during your internship.
Suggested Timeline Tasks Completed Date Orientation to Facility / Department Services delivered Communication Professionalism Writing goals & objectives Time management Risk Management Infection Control Review Policies and Procedures Manual, as well as important legislative acts (such as FOIP, Mental Health Act, etc.) Discuss & review student s goals Discuss the evaluation forms with your supervisor Complete the following forms: Confidentiality Agreement and Crisis Support Plan SMART Goals Introduction to Other Disciplines / co-workers Review University Assignments / Tasks Brainstorm Special Service Project Ideas Observe an intervention (group or 1:1) Observe an Assessment WEEK 1 2 Due: After 2 days Due: End of week 2
Define Project & Outline special project Complete Initial Assessment Caseload Minimum of 1 person/client/patient Co-facilitate an intervention Begin the Self-Reflection online discussion on Moodle Continue work on Special Service Project Midterm Evaluation given to Agency Supervisor to review prior to completion Complete Progress Notes Complete Discharge Summary Target: 25% of supervisor s caseload Facilitate an intervention on your own Complete minimum 3 Assessments Due: End of Week 3 (5%) Due: End of Weeks 3-12 (20%) WEEK 3 4 WEEK 5 6
Target: 50% of supervisors caseload Continue to complete more Assessments Complete evaluations on activities/interventions/programs Midterm Evaluation Complete Update on Special Service Project Continue to contribute to the online Self- Reflection discussions Target: 75% of supervisor s caseload Continue to complete more Assessments Continue to complete evaluations on activities/interventions/programs Complete the final Self-Reflection online discussion on Moodle WEEK 7, 8, 9 Due: End of Week 8 (10%) Due: End of Week 7 (5%) WEEK 10,11,12 Last one End of Week 12
Special Service Project Presentation to Departmental Staff and Agency Supervisor Final Evaluation given to Agency Supervisor to look over and set a date for a review Submit SMART Goals evaluation Target: 100% of supervisor s caseload Special Service Project Final Presentation Assessment Evaluation Form Student Self-Evaluation Form Documentation of Internship Form Exit Interview / Final Evaluation End professional relationships with clients and staff members. Thank people and stay in contact with your supervisor. WEEK 13 14 Due: End of week 14(5%) Due: End of Week 15 (20%) WEEK 15 Due: End of Week 15 Due: End of Week 15 Due: End of Week 15 (35%)
Pre-Internship Survey Areas of Interests/Populations: Possible Agencies/Settings: Preferred Geographical Location: Special Considerations: Completed forms send to marina.Christman@uleth.ca
Contacting Supervisors NCTRC database (linked on the website) Internships with Alberta Health Services Do not contact AHS employees directly Specific AHS requirements Information about potential settings How to contact prospective supervisors
What to include -Resume Previous work in TR or assistant roles Previous work in recreation and leisure areas Your college/university placements with lots of detail Education background (not necessary to include high school) All experiences here at U of L Field Trips, Observation experience, Facilitation experience, TR month planning and implementation, etc. Are you member of ATRA, CTRA, others? On any committees? Volunteer work? Attend meetings regularly? Volunteer experience Certifications related to health and human services
Resume Writing Tips Pay careful attention to spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style. Proofread your resume carefully, using a dictionary, and have several other people proofread it as well. Organize information in a logical fashion. Keep descriptions clear and to the point. Confine your information to two pages. Use a simple, easy-to-read font. Include as much work experience detail as possible, especially the transferable areas. Tailor your information to the population/setting you want to. https://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/files/opsresumepreparationgu ideen.pdf
Cover Letter The purpose of a cover letter of application is to let an agency know that you are interested in an internship and that you are qualified for that agency. Through this letter, you must make the agency want to give you an interview. The cover letter corresponds to the first five minutes of an interview, and your manner and attitudes are conveyed as readily on paper as in person. Therefore, you must follow certain standards to carefully write effective cover letters. Some guidelines are the following: Every cover letter should be individually typed in your own words. Pay careful attention to spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style. The letter should be no more than one page in length http://www.canadajobs.com/articles/viewarticle.cfm?ArticleID=12 68
Making the Internship Yours! What skills do you bring to the internship experience? What are your responsibilities during this experience? You are in 4th year, last stage of your education journey but this experience is still a learning adventure! Remember to make mistakes and try new things. Make it what you want it to be. This can apply to your special service project for example.
Things to do over the next few weeks Pre-internship survey (submit to Marina) HSPnet Consent Form (submit to Marina) Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Search Work on resume and cover letters (if looking to complete internship with AHS then make sure these documents are specific to the sites you are interested in) Book with Career Services to review resume and cover letter Ask friends, peers, and family to provide feedback Review the website to see all the information and documents related to the internship
Additional Information Website for the TR program https://www.uleth.ca/healthsciences/tr Website for the TR practicum/internship https://www.uleth.ca/healthsciences/practicum- therapeutic-recreation
Next Meeting Tuesday March 24th 2020 12:00-2:00 pm (mountain standard time) ZOOM video conferencing is available and the meeting will be recorded Room: TH241 Focus will be on more internship information (manual) and some basic interview questions
