Internship Training Programs

International Trainees

The International Internship program at Crotched Mountain welcomes applications from students and non-students from around the world for Social Science internships and Medical Clerkships: 

Social Science Internships

Students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in a social science field have the opportunity to support the children and adults we serve, along side the primary direct caregivers, in one of the following departments:   

• Residential Services.  Residential interns on second shift will be placed in one of the eight group homes. The interns will be asked to assist residents in daily routines and residential programs. This placement offers students interested in exploring social service careers an opportunity to observe Residential Skill Instructors working with students with specialized needs. Residents focus on learning and practicing independent living skills to prepare themselves for life after Crotched Mountain. Group home activities include recreational and social activities. Teamwork and communication skills within the house setting are essential to assisting the students in their daily activities.  View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).
• Crotched Mountain School. School internship placements offer students interested in pursing a teaching career the opportunity to observe teachers working with students with specialized needs, become familiar with curriculums, methods of implementing goals, objectives and individualized programs. The intern will learn about the various conditions/ syndromes of the students and the adaptive equipment available. Interns will observe how the individualized therapy programs' goals and objectives are integrated into the student's daily program and how the prevocational/vocational and "special" and physical education classes are adapted for students. View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).
• Combined School/Residential Program. This internship placement offers participants the opportunity to experience both the school and residential programs within a single training plan. Four hours each day is spent in both programs following one student, usually a student who has particular difficulties transitioning from School to Residential settings at the end of the School day. Participants will learn how manage the students environment and facilitate the transition. View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change). 
• Day Program. This placement is suitable for trainees interested in pursuing a career relating to rehabilitation services for children and young adults. Participants will observe Day Program staff working with clients with specialized needs and become familiar with methods of implementing goals, objectives and individualized programs. The Day Program offers a wide range of day-time services to persons with disabilities, some, but not all of whom, may be Crotched Mountain residents. A primary focus of the Day Program is to utilize a 1:1, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation methodology in delivering service. These services can include, the learning and supporting of recreation, of self care, of socialization, of rehabilitation and so on. Day Program employees include a team of activity coordinators, as well as a clinical team made up of physical, occupational and speech therapists and a psychologist. All client programs are individually based and dependent on the needs and desires of the client. Day Program trainees have the title of "Activity Coordinator Trainee" and as such are primarily learning the skill and knowledge sets of a typical Activity Coordinator. The trainee will learn about the various handicapping conditions/syndromes of clients with special needs. Trainees will become familiar with the clinical-based activities of clients and their attending staff within a Day Program setting. Trainees will become familiar with the day-to-day schedule of one or more Day Program clients. Trainees will also learn how various functions of the therapeutic milieu and see how specific components interconnect. Trainees will learn about Individual Care Plans and understand the range of individual needs including clinical, rehabilitative, social and spiritual needs. View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).

• Case Management: This placement is designed to provide participants the opportunity to observe professionals offering Case Management services to Crotched Mountain clients. These services are similar to those provided by Social Workers and for this reason the three Case Management training placements are generally, though not exclusively, reserved for candidates interested in pursuing a career in Social Work. Some Case Managers at Crotched Mountain may be Masters of Social Work, while others may be Human Services professionals, Psychologists or from another discipline. In each of the three different Case Management placements trainees have the opportunity to learn about Individual Plans and become knowledgeable about at least one specific Individual Plan. Trainees observe how goals and objectives from the therapy programs are integrated into the resident's daily program and learn about the adaptive equipment in use throughout the Brain Injury Center. They may also observe case managers working with outside agencies.

  At the Brain Injury Center at Crotched Mountain trainees learn about the various handicapping conditions of adults with a brain injury and will become familiar with the day-to-day schedule of one or more BIC residents. Trainees will also learn about typical and occasional activities carried out by case managers on behalf of residents.

  At the Pediatric Case Management Office at Crotched Mountain School trainees observe managers serving their caseload within the general student population. Trainees learn about the various handicapping conditions/syndromes of students with special needs and become familiar with the pivotal role of Case Manager within a client's team. Trainees also become familiar with the day-to-day schedule of one or more Case Managers. At the office of Transition Planning and Family Services trainees learn about the above pediatric services in addition to learning about the transition planning process and the coordination of services with student's families.

  View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the general activities and outcomes of this training program (subject to change).

• Assistive Technology Unit (ATU). Crotched Mountain's Assistive Technology Unit provides a wide range of AT services including assessment & referral, repair & maintenance and custom product manufacture. Most services are directed toward the client populations already being served within other Crotched Mountain programs such as the School, Medical Units and Residential settings. Assistive Technology training placements are generally, though not exclusively, reserved for candidates interested in pursuing a career in Assistive Technology. View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).

Medical Clerkships

Medical students complete a four-week clerkship in Developmental Pediatrics under the guidance of our Medical Director:

• Developmental Pediatrics. The Medical Clerkship in Developmental Pediatrics is Dr. Carl Cooley, Medical Director of Crotched Mountain's Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Cooley is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire. Dr. Cooley's curriculum vitae is available upon request. Duration: The duration of the Medical Clerkship in Developmental Pediatrics at CMRC will be four consecutive weeks. Clerkship Schedule: Final schedule will be customized to offer maximum benefit as special events and consultations may be unique to an individual clerkship. The syllabus schedule will not necessarily be in the order listed below. However, the porportion of time dedicated to each area or project is approximated as follows: Approximately fifty percent (2 weeks minimum) of the clerkship in Pediatrics is as follows: A quarter (2-3 days) of the Pediatric section will be devoted to faculty consultations. A quarter (2-3 days) of the Pediatric section will be devoted to clinical consultations. A half (1 week) of the Pediatric section will be devoted to an assigned project which includes independent study from established curriculum. Approximately twenty-five percent (1 week maximum) of the clerkship is allocated to the Adult Acquired Brain Injury Unit as follows: A half (2-3 days) of the Adult section will be devoted to faculty consultations. A half (2-3 days) of the Adult section will be devoted to clinical consultations. Approximately twenty-five percent (1 week maximum) of the clerkship is allocated based upon the individual student's special interests and concerns as an elective rotation.