Recreational Therapy (RT/TR)
Student Internship
Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation interns will function as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team. The goal of the internship program is to provide the intern with an in-depth experience in recreational therapy in an acute pediatric rehabilitation hospital. The importance of professionalism, patient advocacy, and recreational therapist duties/responsibilities as outlined by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification’s (NCTRC) Job Analysis Task Domains will be strongly emphasized throughout the duration of the internship. Each domain will be discussed in detail with the intern, modeled by the clinical instructor, and applied by the intern under direction supervision of the clinical instructor.
Interns will be provided the opportunity to work with patients within the inpatient and day hospital setting. Patients are admitted into one of our eight programs based on their diagnosis/injury and needs. Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital programs include comprehensive rehabilitation, pulmonary, infant feeding, FND and pediatric pain, brain injury, neonatal abstinence syndrome, diabetes management, and asthma management.
TR/RT Intern Job Description
Under the supervision of the CTRS, the intern will be responsible for the assessment of play, recreation, leisure skills, and psychosocial adjustment to hospitalization. The intern will facilitate individualized therapy sessions, leisure education, and recreation participation for the pediatric (re)habilitation of children ages birth to 20 years of age. The intern will demonstrate professional judgment, use problem solving techniques and time-management principles to achieve quality outcomes for each patient. They will participate in-patient and family teaching and work collaboratively with other disciplines on the interdisciplinary team to maintain optimal standards of patient care and assure carryover of treatment plans/goals as indicated.
Applicant Criteria
- Enrollment in a Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy program at an accredited college or university
- Possess a general knowledge of pediatric rehabilitation process
- Possess a general knowledge of developmental psychology, pediatric disabilities/illnesses, medical terminology and anatomy
- Completion of 50-75 hours of volunteer or employment experience with children
- Minimum of 3.0 GPA in core TR/RT courses
- Preparation to sit for certification through NCTRC
Application Process
- Completion and submission of:
- Application Form
- Resume and letter of interest
- Letters of Recommendation (3): personal, professional & academic
- Completion of in-person interview
Application Deadlines
| Internship Session | Application Deadline* | Initial Offer Date* | Acceptance Date* |
| Summer | January | February | Mid-February |
| Fall | March | April | Mid-April |
| Winter/Spring | September | October | Mid-October |
Alexis Gonzales, MS, CTRS/CCLS, CPST
Lead Recreational Therapist & Child Life Specialist
(856) 489 – 4520 ext. 604