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Adaptive Sports Internships

Three therapists help an older man strap into an adaptive bicycle.

General Information • General Adaptive Sports Internships • Therapeutic Recreation Internships • Applications

General Information

Spaulding Adaptive Sports Center (SASC) is proud to provide internship opportunities to motivated students and/or recent graduates who are interested in careers related to adaptive sports. Our internship offers the opportunity to gain practical skills and knowledge within the rehabilitation, recreational, and competitive adaptive sports settings. As an intern, you can expect direct involvement in: adaptive sports programming, planning and management, equipment maintenance, and program development, while learning about physical, cognitive, and neurological diagnoses within physical medicine and rehabilitation.

We offer two different types of internships:
Therapeutic Recreation (TR) degree-related internships and General Adaptive Sports.

  • To apply for the TR intern position, you must be in an accredited TR degree program.
  • Anyone with interest in adaptive sports and experience or degree programs tangential to adaptive sports are welcome to apply for the General Adaptive Sports internship.

Application Deadlines

Summer Internships: February 15 (for a May/June start date)

Winter Internships: Oct 15 (for a Jan/Feb start date)

Fall Internships: May 15 (for an Aug/Sept start date)

We prefer applications at least 3 months prior to start date. These are competitive positions and will be filled as qualified candidates are identified. 

All candidates' academic institutions must have an affiliation agreement with Spaulding Rehabilitation. If your institution does not have an affiliation, please contact the appropriate person from above.

Availability & Locations

Boston

Boston-based internships are offered year-round with opportunities for both general and Therapeutic Recreation tracks. Spring, summer, and fall internships are located primarily at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, MA. Winter internships offer programming in the greater Boston area, as well as likely travel throughout New England.

Minimum internship requirement is 10 weeks at 16 hours/week.

For information regarding Boston-based internships, please contact:

Kathleen Salas, PT, MHA
Boston Coordinator
ksalas@mgb.org

North Shore

North Shore internships are offered year-round with opportunities for general adaptive sport internships. Programs are offered at various locations throughout the North Shore area from Salem to Peabody and Woburn.

For information regarding North Shore-based internships, please contact:

Jennifer Packard, OT, CLT
North Shore Coordinator
jpackard@mgb.org

Cape Cod

Cape Cod internships are offered year-round with opportunities for both general and Therapeutic Recreation tracks. Summer internships are located primarily at the McGraw Center for Adaptive Sports at Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA. Summer housing is available in yurts with electricity and Park amenities for interns with a 32 hour/week minimum commitment. 

Winter, spring and fall internships are located primarily at Spaulding Cape Cod in Sandwich and surrounding South Shore locations.

Minimum internship requirement is 10-weeks at 16 hours/week.

For more information regarding Cape Cod-based internships, please contact:

Elizabeth Dahlen, CTRS
Cape Cod Coordinator
edahlen@mgb.org

General Adaptive Sports Internships

Applicants from graduate and undergraduate majors that are related to the field of adaptive sports will be considered, which include: adaptive physical education, exercise science, kinesiology, sport management, and other related fields. Please contact SASC if you are interested in our internship and are not currently studying one of these majors.

What to Expect & Goals

Interns are expected to assist with all elements of programming. This includes:

  • Participant sessions and programs under supervision
  • Marketing events and in services in the community
  • Team and programmatic travel – which may include overnights
  • Equipment transport and management
  • Program reporting
  • Working weekends and evenings as needed
  • Occasional administrative assistance

Interns are expected to commit to a 10-week, 16 hours/week minimum placement.

Goals

Interns will:

  • Evaluate each participant for equipment and coaching needs.
  • Gain knowledge of different diagnoses and the rehabilitation process.
  • Become knowledgeable about adaptive sports equipment and programming.
  • Work with participants to identify realistic and achievable goals.
  • Promote safe participation to maintain health and decrease secondary injuries.
  • Actively participate in a multidisciplinary team centered approach.

Therapeutic Recreation Internships

The Therapeutic Recreation internship program with Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers is offered to students enrolled in Therapeutic Recreation degree programs and are seeking eligibility to sit for the NCTRC exam upon successful completion of the internship. We offer opportunities in a community based adaptive sport and recreation setting, with additional clinical exposure to inpatient and outpatient clientele. Interns will gain knowledge and experience within a hospital based adaptive sports program.

What to Expect & Goals

Interns will:

  • Incorporate the APIE process into individualized treatment plans and functional outcomes.
  • Become proficient in clinical documentation.
  • Engage and lead 1:1 and group interventions specific to sport and recreational activities.
  • Collaborate among interdisciplinary team members.
  • Teach participants and referral sources how sport and recreation can improve quality of life.
  • Promote safe participation to maintain health and decrease secondary injuries.
  • Learn risk management skills to increase safety of all participants and staff.
  • Gain experience in program development with a community based/non-profit program.
  • Assist with marketing events and in services in the community.
  • Participate in team and programmatic travel – which may include overnights, weekends and evenings. 

Interns must commit to a 14-week, 40 hour/week placement.

Internship Applications

Please complete the online internship application.

Required supporting documents:

  • Current transcript
  • Resume
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Proof of First Aid and CPR certification