WV Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference – Cacapon State Park,

Berkeley Springs, WV - 2008

PRESENTATION GIVEN BY:Mr. DAVID E. FINCHAM

SHEPHERD UNIVERSITYand

MRS. KELLY WHIPPVA MEDICAL CENTER, MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA

Steps to Intern Success

General Information TR Students for RECR – 450Each Semester of the Year + Summer III

Prepare for your Internship – VA Center

Do a thorough search for your internship using:

Books That Gives Placement Overviews Internet Investigation of Possible Placements Previous Intern Information Sites Friends, University Instructors and Peers Phone Supervisors of Agencies (VA Centers) Investigate Prospective Sites – Does The

Placement Fit Your Career Goals

Mail Resumes & Cover Letters

Well Constructed-Use Resume Paper Matching Paper & Envelopes NO MISTAKES – Proper Grammar Type Information on Envelope Address This to a Specific Person Follow Up! – Phone/E-Mail

Select Possible Internship Sites – VA Centers

Don’t just take the easiest internship,Ask yourself:

How will this internship help you in the future? Do I want to work for government?

Will this internship look impressive on my resume?

Will I learn a lot from this internship? Rotation Interview Process – ****On Time/Dress****

Send Resume to Agency Supervisor Before Interview Date

Once you decide - confirm

On the Phone Via email Send a Letter of Acceptance

Business Letter Form (Block)

Student Complete the Following

Contract – Protects All Individuals(Individual Student, University and VA Center will be Protected for Liability Issues)

Internship Information Sheet

Letter of Acceptance

(Starting Date and Ending Date (No Conflicts)

Student Agreement Form

(Located in the TR Internship Book)

Register and Pay for Class

Register for RECR 450 Recreation Internship – SUMMER SCHOOL - III

Pay your tuition for the class! If Not Drop.

Especially in the summer, but also in any semester if you sign up late – YOU MAY NOT GET A BILL FROM THE SCHOOL.

You must still pay tuition by the deadline!

**Petition to add the class Late(Admission & Credit Committee)

Because you waited to pay the bill – Class Drop

Because you did not have

Approval from Division Chair for Acquiring Class.

During your Internship – AtAny VA Center or Other Sites You must communicate with

University Supervisor every two weeks.

Time Sheets – Two WeeksKeep a Journal of each Day Experiences

TR Student – Required E-Mails

Orientation Week Review, Method of Assessment, IDT Meeting, Method of Documentation, OT/PT Observes, Other Site Visitation, Special; Project, Mid Term / Final Evaluations and Exit Interview

Site Evaluation - Form

After two (2) weeks send the completed site evaluation form to your university supervisor! (Other Data – Overview of Internship Site, Goals & Objectives of Internship & Possible Special Project)Of course, you must provide a signed contract, acceptance letter – with start/end dates & resume.

We want to know that you are having a positive experience.

We want to know that they are not making you clean toilets 8 hours a day.

Evaluation by Site Supervisor

Midterm –TR Internship Booklet Special Form – Completed at 240 Hours – Give to site supervisor two weeks in advance.

Form – Completed after 480 Hours Give some examples of problems

(INTERNSHIP DOES NOT MATCH, DISTANCE FROM HOME, GLOWING MIT – TERM THEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG <EXTEND DATES WITHOUT JUST CAUSE> POOR DOCUMENTATION?

DENOTE: You must take the duty of having this done two week before due date – Have form complete and total points = 125 points as an important part of grade.

Special Project for VA Center

Pre-approved by your site supervisor and faculty supervisor.

Detailed report of this project to your faculty supervisor.

Ask if there are any projects that they have always wanted do at work - but never had the time.

Include actual project in notebook

NCTRC Verification Statement Requirements

Professional Roles & Responsibilities Assessment of Consumers Planning Intervention and/or Programs Implementing Programs Evaluation Outcomes of Programs Documenting Intervention Services

Cont. NCTRC Verification Statement

Working with Treatment and/or Service Team

Organizing Programs – Special Project Managing TR/RT Services - Special

Project Public Awareness and Advocacy –

Special Volunteers for Special Project Relays for VA Consumers – Horse Racing – Jockeys from Charles

Town, West Virginia Races Track Assisted in the Special Project.

Comparative Analysis

A detailed written paper – Prior Approval Telling the similarities and differences Your internship vs a similar VA Center site. To properly complete this assignment, you

will need to visit another facility (near/distant)(This summer an intern individual traveled to Kansas to compare)

Interview as many individuals there Gather information and brochures. Write your report – Seek Possible Job

Comparative Analysis – Hint!

Chose a location where you may want to work in the future.

Ask intelligent questions – Proper Dress Discuss briefly what you are doing at

your present internship site. Maybe that site will be hiring and/or

looking for someone just like you!!

Other Assessment Forms:

Complete the “LEADERSHIP QUALITIES QUESTIONEER.” This form is your assessment of our overall Recreation Department Form.

Site Supervisor Form

Final Notebook for Internship

Update Your Resume

Include Your Internship!Up Date Your TR Portfolio

DENOTE: You need to get your 4 or 5 Year

TR Portfolio in proper order for potential employers to review during the exit interview process. (Keep in contact with advisor)

Final Evaluation from Site Supervisor

There are two forms that your site supervisor should complete at the end of your internship.

Leadership qualities 2nd and/or Final Evaluation – Back of TR

Internship Handbook – Give 2 Weeks Notice and Complete Forms – FAX to University Supervisor – (Exit Interview)

Overview of your Internship

Write a 2-4 page overview of your internship. Be Honest!!

This is for other students who may be interested in your internship site in the future!

Notebook

Everything mentioned so far Information on your internship

(flyers, brochures, awards, pictures, etc). This should be neatly organized and

attractive enough that you can bring it with you to a job interview.

This is part of you grade (FINAL REPORT) and you should want to do an outstanding job

Letter of Appreciation

Thank the organization for the experience you gained while working with them (primary supervisor).

Include a reminder of the ending dates of your internship and final evaluation forms to be completed.

Exit Interview

Schedule a time with the university supervisor.

Bring your notebook/portfolio for final review and be well organized for your exit interview.

Usually about 45 minutes (Dinner)

SUMMARY OF THE INTERNSHIP

Cap Stone Class – Last class you will take before graduation

Professional Approach – Do an outstanding job – be successful

Cost – Time <12 – 14 Weeks>; Much work required by all

You are charged with representing the TR Profession

Requirements from NCTRC is becoming increasingly harder

Keep in contact with your university supervisor – Job Tracking

QUESTIONS?

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)

Website: www.nctrc.org– My NCTRC Login– About NCTRC– Recent News– Standards & Publications– New Application– CTRS Renewal– Exam– Employer Info

TR INTERNSHIP

How to Apply for the National Therapeutic

Recreation Exam http://www.nctrc.org/cbtexam.htm

Requirements for Testing Candidates are eligible to register

for the NCTRC certification exam if they are in compliance with NCTRC’s Certification Standards, including the Prerequisites, and they have been found by NCTRC to meet all professional eligibility requirements through either the academic or equivalency path.

Requirements for Testing

One must complete a minimum 480-hour, twelve consecutive week internship with Therapeutic Recreation services that uses the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study under the supervision of an on-site field placement supervisor who is NCTRC CTRS certified.

Requirements for Testing One must work 20-45 hours per week and the

supervisor must be employed full time within the TR or Rehabilitation Department

When applying for the national exam you must send in your college transcripts along with your application for testing (Cost $100)

Each transcript must contain registrar’s signature as well as a seal to be considered official.

Applying – Standards & Publications

Applications for new test takers are accepted throughout the year. Each exam is offered three times per year: January, May, and October. Registration must be done in advance.

Example: February 1 for May 6-9 Exam; July 1 for May 5-9 Exam; and October 1, for January 7 – 11 Exam

The current fee for the exam is $300.00

and $100.00 to $125.00 for Review Fee

Applying

You may take the NCTRC exam at any Prometric Testing Center provided there is space available. You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Thomson Prometric 30 days prior to your scheduled exam.

Then call an 800 number to make an appointment to take the exam.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm their test site.

Applying

When you arrive at the test center, you will be required to present your ATT and one form of valid, government issue photo and signature bearing identification. Acceptable forms of identification (which must include your signature and photograph) are: current (valid) driver’s license, employee identification card, state identification card, or a current (valid) passport.

About the Exam

The NCTRC certification exam is a computer based test (CBT). This examination is open to individuals who have been awarded Professional Eligibility to sit for the exam and current and former CTRS’s who are using the exam for recertification or reentry.

Each exam has groups of questions, which are all timed separately. There are 90 questions total for which you have 86 minutes to complete.

After completing the 90 questions you will receive (a) a passing score, ending the exam; (b) a failing score ending the exam; (c) a score that falls in the range of neither passing nor failing in which you will move onto another section.

About the Exam

About the Exam

These additional sections are called “testlets.” There are 15 questions in the testlets that will determine if you will receive a passing score or failing score. You have only 14 minutes to complete the questions in the testlet section. At the end of each testlet, the same scoring decision is used like at the end of the base test. The exam will then end or continue.

Outline of the Exam Background…………………………8% Diagnostic Groupings

& Populations Served……….........15% Assessment…………………………15% Planning & Intervention……………15% Implementing the Individual

Intervention Plan……………………16% Documentation

& Evaluation…………………………15% Organizing &

Managing Services…………………9% Advancement of

the Profession………………………7%

Background 8%

Understanding of the theoretical and conceptual basis of therapeutic recreation

Background begins with the knowledge of growth and development, human behavior change, and diversity factors.

Then proceeding into subtopics which include Leisure: theories and concepts, therapeutic recreation, and service delivery systems.

Diagnostic Groupings and Populations Served 15%

Knowledge and understanding of people with disabilities and the effects of their disabling condition on their lives

Cognitive, physical, sensory and communication, psychiatric, behavioral impairments and addictions

Subtopics will include the disabling conditions that affect the people with whom therapeutic recreation professionals work.

Assessment 15%

Covers the process and procedures of assessment

Different assessments currently being used in the field

Domains assessed, what to assess in these domains, basic assessment procedures, and the process of determining an appropriate assessment

Planning the Intervention 15%

Knowledge of standards of practice, goals and objectives, codes of ethics, activity analysis, and leisure education

Understanding the impact the impairment has on the individual and the family

Understand the concepts of normalization, inclusion, and least restrictive environment in programming

Implementing the Individualized Intervention Plan 16%

Understanding of group leadership principles, behavioral change principles, intervention techniques, and methods of educating and incorporating families and relevant others

Behavior management techniques, stress management, remotivation, social skills, and learning to cope skills

Documentation and Evaluation 15%

Methods of documenting assessment, progress/functional status, discharge/transition plans of the person served.

SOAP: Subjective, Objective, Analysis, and Plan– SOAPIE: Intervention Evaluation– SOAPIER: Revision

Charting by Exception (CBE) used in agencies that have clearly detailed clinical pathways or long-term care facilities.

Organizing and Managing Services - 9%

Used for therapists who are one person departments and therefore need to understand some basic organization and management principles and requirements

All specialists, regardless of job held, need an understanding of the organization and management functions.

Organizing and management services, components of an agency/TR service plan of operation, Personnel, intern, and volunteer supervision, and budgeting and fiscal responsibility

Advancement of the Profession 7%

Professionalism; requirements for TR certification/recertification; advocacy for persons served legislation and regulations pertaining to TR; professional standards and ethical guidelines pertaining to TR; public relations, promotion, and marketing of the TR profession, etc.

Words of Wisdom Read the Study Guide for the

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Certification Examination.

Helpful Tools in Preparing for the Exam (from the NCTRC website)

NCTRC Exam Content Outline NCTRC Exam Reference List NCTRC Job Analysis NCTRC Practice Exam CBT Tutorial Presentation CBT Sample Questions

REVIEW of VARIOUS BOOKS

Review the Handout given to each of you developed by Professor David E. Fincham

Review Medical Terminology Data Review Models of Practice:

Leisure Activity Model & Health Promotion and Protection Model of Practice

ADDITIONAL REVIEW

Advance Knowledge of Spinal Cord Knowledge of How Each Section of

Spinal Cord Affects the Functioning of Other Body Parts

Knowledge of Rehabilitation Techniques

Denote: Most important is to get a good night sleep prior to test and be on time.