DSH - Patton: Recreational Therapy Internship
The Recreation Therapy Internship at Department of State Hospitals (DSH) - Patton meets the standards of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). The Internship is 16 weeks in duration. We accept interns for the Summer, Fall and Spring semesters with all start dates being on or around the 1st of the month.
DSH - Patton employs approximately 30 Recreation Therapists who work alongside Art, Dance, Music and Occupational Therapists in the Rehabilitation Therapy Service. Each Recreation Therapy Intern is supervised by a NCTRC certified Recreation Therapist (CTRS) and will gain experience in following the care of patients on their supervisor's caseload. Assigned internship tasks will include the completion of assessments, progress notes and working in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team. Other tasks will include the development and the facilitation of group therapy sessions, planning and implementing a large group event, formulating a case study as well as completion of a special project. Interns will receive training and experience in all areas of the NCTRC job analysis.
The Therapeutic Recreation Internship program at Patton has been designed to be challenging and is tailored to equip those students who go through this program with the skills, knowledge and confidence to successfully function as a Recreation Therapy professional in a variety of settings.
Interns will also receive in-house training in the treatment of mental illness in a forensic hospital setting. Currently, this is a paid internship.
Deadlines to submit applications and resumes for the terms are as follows:
- Summer application - due 2/1, internship start date on or around 7/1
- Fall application - due 4/1, internship start date on or around 9/1
- Winter/Spring application - due 8/1, internship start date on or around 1/2
For an application or further information, contact
Via e-mail at PSHRTI@dsh.ca.gov or
Chris Keierleber, Senior Rehabilitation Therapist - RTC
chris.keierleber@dsh.ca.gov
(909) 672-1807
Katie Zinda, Program Director of Rehabilitation Therapy
kathleen.zinda@dsh.ca.gov
(909) 672-1817