Intern/ Volunteer - summer 2025At — Department of State Hospitals (DSH)-Metropolitan (Aka Metropolitan State Hospital)

    DSH-Metropolitan (State Hospital) is a psychiatric facility in Norwalk. This hospital opened in 1916 and has a census of 750 patients.  Our residents' ages range from 18 to 90 years. The residents may stay at our hospital from 14 days to several years and are most often placed in supervised residential care settings upon discharge.

Internship opportunity:

• Informal fieldwork/internship programs may be developed to enhance specific       majors requiring performance hours.

• Typical placement would include assisting staff to provide treatment groups and   leisure/recreation activities to patients.

• Suggested schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to noon.

• 2 days/week – typical time of 10 hours/week to fulfill college requirement of 120       hours.

Requirements for Interns: must be in good health, minimum age 18 years, friendly, caring, and willing to work with this population.

1. You will be asked to have a background check completed at your expense.

2. TB testing and verification of chicken pox by a physician or student health center is   required, at your expense. There is a form to have completed by your health          provider/clinic.

3. Attend a 2+ hour Volunteer Orientation

4. Attend a 4.5hour TSI class, scheduled through my office.

•Attend Morning Report and Treatment Planning Conferences.
•Assist staff in providing special events and leisure activities.
•Interact with patients to provide socialization and human connection.
•Assist the supervisor with the preparation of group supplies/materials.

Training:

Attend a 2+ hour Volunteer Orientation
Attend a 4.5hour TSI class, scheduled through my office.
Shadow their supervisor to learn about the provision of treatment in a long-term psychiatric setting (initial first two weeks).

Learning Outcomes:

•Volunteer will become acclimated to the Therapeutic milieu
•Observe and learn the roles of the Treatment Team and Treatment
Planning Conferences
•Assist staff in providing special events and leisure activities.
•Interact with patients to provide socialization and human connection.
•Assist the supervisor with the preparation of group supplies/materials.