Course description
The Internship is a 560-hour experience plus 11 hours of seminar, implemented in partnership with Douglas College and an approved Agency. It offers the student the opportunity to apply classroom theory and skills in a supported environment. Supervised by the College faculty and qualified Agency practitioner, students will assess, plan, implement, evaluate and document individual and group progress, deliver therapeutic recreation interventions, complete a service-learning project in conjunction with the agency, understand department administration, and demonstrate professional competency. Internship successfully completed under a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) meets eligibility for a student to sit the NCTRC exam to obtain the CTRS designation. Internship is completed in one of a student's finalized support areas.
Course content
Professionalism
- Principles of professional competency
- Developing professional relationships
Assessment
- Application of assessment process including analyzing data
- Individual and group
Planning
- Individual program plans
- Group program plans
- Department program plans
Implementation
- Range of program delivery
- Awareness and application of risk management
Evaluation and Documentation
- Analyze and document client progress
Administration
- Policies and procedures
- Administrative practices which could include financial planning, human resource management, and service plan of operation
Learning activities
In this course students engage in seminars, field experience and supervision.
Means of assessment
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a Mastery/Non-Mastery graded course.
Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Demonstration of skills and competencies
- Written assignments
- Service-learning project
- Mid-point and Final evaluations
- Participation in seminars
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of a student’s grade performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor’s course outline and allowed for in the course curriculum guideline.
This course may have an assignment that has been identified as part of the TR Department Research Framework and therefore the assignment must be passed at a minimum of a C (60%) level in order for a student to achieve a C (60%) final grade in the course. Each course outline will clearly identify these research framework assignments if relevant.
Internship requirements are mandated by the Health Authorities, individual sites and Public Health orders and will be communicated by the program to each student. These could include: a negative TB test; proof of common updated vaccinations; recent flu shot; and a clear criminal record check for vulnerable populations.
Students must complete all clinical requirements prior to the first day of internship or access to the site may be denied.
All students in the Therapeutic Recreation program are required to attain Mastery in mastery based courses that are used towards completion of a Degree in Therapeutic Recreation in order to progress in the program.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- demonstrate professionalism;
- conduct individual and group assessments;
- plan, implement, evaluate and document individual program plans;
- plan, implement, evaluate and document health promotion and therapeutic recreation intervention programs;
- describe the management practices of the agency;
- complete a service-learning project in collaboration with the agency requirements.