Academic Internship At — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation-Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility

Opportunity Summary 

While a specific student has not been selected as RJDCF has not yet been officially approved and is going thru the process to become an RT internship site, there is one candidate, Melissa Rodriguez, who is currently an employee of RJDCF and has worked in the mental health department as an office technician some years ago, who is currently a student at CSUEB and has expressed interest in RJDCF as an internship site. She is in good standing with RJDCF and we would highly consider her to be part of an internship program.

Opportunity Learning Outcomes 

Students will have the opportunity to be exposed to and work with inmate-patients with serious mental illness, many of whom are also behaviorally challenged. Recreational therapists (RTs) will have the ability to practice and improve their skills by facilitating recreational therapy groups during recreation yard and indoor groups. By the end of the internship year RTs will have learned the following skills: group facilitation, communication, de-escalation, safety and security, documentation both orally and written, among others.

Opportunity Training 

RT interns will be required to attend our on-boarding orientation and electronic health record system training. They will also be able to shadow different programs and interact with other disciplines via interdisciplinary treatment teams.

Additional risk specific to this opportunity 

RT interns will have to carry a whistle, which serves as an alarm, at all times while inside the institution. Safety alarms are also provided to staff for each of the different programs.

Opportunity Application Instructions 

an application would need to be submitted-those selected would then be asked to interview.

Program 
Internships
Location Type 
On-site
Location 
United States
Expected Hours 
HoursDuration
20+hours per week
Students required to have a personal vehicle 
Yes
Fees students may incur with this opportunity 
Background Check (e.g., fingerprinting, live scans, driving record)
TB tests
This opportunity provides some form of compensation 
No
Opportunity Availability 
Ongoing