LOCATION

Catawba Hospital is located in Catawba, Virginia, a rural setting in the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia.  Catawba is approximately 15 minutes from the city of Roanoke, a metropolitan area with a population of 93,000.  Roanoke City lies within the Roanoke Valley, which includes many towns and the cities of Vinton and Salem, and has a combined population of 250,000.  The Roanoke Valley houses two large malls, two civic arenas, a local zoo, several city and county Parks and Recreation Departments, numerous museums, a variety of seasonal festivals and continuous cultural events.  Area state parks provide excellent facilities for hiking, swimming and camping.  The Roanoke Valley houses the campuses of Roanoke College, Hollins University, College of Health Sciences, National College of Business and Technology and Virginia Western Community College.  Virginia Tech and Radford University are 45 minutes away.

CLINICAL SETTING

Catawba Hospital is a facility under the auspices of the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services.  Catawba Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.  Our current census averages 100, and includes younger adults ages 18 to 64 and geriatric adults 65 and older.  Service areas consist predominantly of Salem, Roanoke, and Botetourt Counties.  Patients are admitted to Catawba primarily for the care and treatment of psychiatric illnesses including, but not limited to Alzheimer’s and other related Dementias, Schizophrenic Disorders, Mood Disorders (Bipolar, Depression), Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, maladaptive behaviors associated with varying degrees of mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.  Treatment is also provided for acute substance abuse related disorders.

CLINICAL SERVICES

Therapeutic Recreation is an integral part of the hospital’s Adjunctive Therapy Department.  Adjunctive Therapy is one of several clinical disciplines serving the treatment needs of our patients.  Other disciplines include Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, and Dietary.  Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy services are obtained through a contract with a private rehabilitation agency.

The staff of the Adjunctive Therapy Department consists of three Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, two Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapists, one Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, three Board Certified Music Therapists, one horticulture therapist, and five non-licensed staff specializing in arts and crafts, assisting with groups and providing evening programming.

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SERVICES

PROGRAMMING STRUCTURE

Catawba Hospital currently operates three different treatment models.  The centralized program (treatment mall) provides programming to patients that have stabilized enough to benefit from off unit programming.  These include both younger and geriatric adults.   Treatment teams review consumer needs and interests and make referrals to groups based on this information.  Treatment groups are co-facilitated by Adjunctive Therapy Staff and staff from many other disciplines.  Groups range from Dealing with Feelings to Ceramics to Community Reintegration and Leisure Education.  Included in the treatment mall are a large gymnasium with a stage and closets full of equipment, greenhouse and raised bed and traditional gardens, a sensory garden, and a game room equipped with ping-pong table, pool table, and games cabinets.  An exercise room offers a variety of exercise equipment including 2 treadmills, 3 stationary bikes, pulley weight system, free weights, exercise mats, aerobic steps, and a weight bench.   A fully functional community preparation room is also available for group use, as are a variety of sensory stimulation and special event supplies.

The acute adult admission unit operates an on unit program with a “Drop-In Center” philosophy.  This is tailored to assess readiness and meet needs of those not yet eligible for off unit programs.  The focus of this unit is to encourage engagement and skill development in a non-threatening, secured, safe and low stimulation environment.  This may be a conversation about a favorite pet during a pet visit or allowing a participant to feel helpful and needed when they take on the responsibility of preparing juice drinks or watering plants.

A variety of leisure and other daily living modalities are incorporated in the program including arts and crafts, exercise, visits from approved pets, tournaments, movies, games, plant care, art shows, small group activities, opening the sun porch, and a library cart.  Beverages (soda, juice, coffee) and light snacks are also offered.  Participants are able to move around the “Drop-In Center” and participate at their readiness level.  Staff is oriented to the philosophy of the on unit program.   A CTRS currently supervises the daily operation of this program.

The geriatric program is offered to adults age 65 and older who are experiencing symptoms of dementia and/or chronic mental illness or who are insufficiently stable to attend groups in the active treatment mall. Engagement groups are provided to allow consumers and staff to establish relationships that will increase participant receptiveness to verbal or physical participation in activities.

Modalities include, but are not limited to, activities of daily living, arts & crafts, horticulture, Music Therapy, Recreation Therapy, exercise, reminiscence, sensory stimulation and faith and life. 

Group leaders attempt to determine the modalities that elicit positive responses from the participants and use these interventions to help bring about positive changes in behavior and/or improve or maintain cognitive functioning.  Groups are generally offered in a low stimulus environment to decrease participant agitation and frustration.  Increased stimulation may be used when participants are experiencing decreased levels of awareness.  A CTRS currently supervises the daily operation of this program.

INTERNSHIP EXPECTATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The requirements of the Therapeutic Recreation Internship Program at Catawba Hospital are designed to meet the requirements of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.  In cases where the requirements of the student’s college or university are longer, or NCTRC should alter internship requirements, we adjust our expectations accordingly. 

In many aspects, a Recreation Therapy student is treated like a new employee.  A thorough hospital orientation is offered, including a background check, tour of the facility, grounds and departmental areas, review of policies and procedures, orientation to our population and their needs and departmental orientation with your internship supervisor.  Students are expected to dress and conduct themselves in a comfortable, profession manner.  With supervision, students will attend treatment team and department staff meetings, participate in assigned clinical training sessions, complete co-signed progress notes, case presentations,  special hospital wide event and other assignments in a conscientious and timely manner. 

With time and experience, the student will be expected to progressively assume more responsibility and independence.  The normal workweek is 40 hours, with occasional evening and weekend work required.  Students are expected to clock in on time and stay the entire day unless other arrangements have been made with internship supervisor.  Requests for authorized absences should be kept to a minimum and will be considered case by case.  In case of emergency or serious illness, the student should contact the internship supervisor at or before the beginning of the workday.  Students will be given any state holidays observed by hospital employees that occur during the internship.  By the end of the internship the student will have had an opportunity to perform virtually all of the assignments of a CTRS at Catawba Hospital

INTERNSHIP BENEFITS

A Recreation Therapy student has the opportunity to observe all types of Adjunctive Therapy sessions at the beginning of the internship.  This allows a student to better understand the structure and purpose of the department.  The student will begin co-leading Recreation Therapy sessions as soon as orientation and group observations have been completed (generally by the third week).

Each student will be supervised by one CTRS, but will have contact and interaction with all three CTRS’s during the internship.  Each student will have exposure to a variety of psychiatric, developmental, medical and social issues in both the adult and geriatric populations.

Housing may be available on the hospital campus.  Three meals per day are available at nominal charge in the hospital dining room.  Meal costs may be waived with the approval of administration.  No stipend is available for interns at this time.  Each student will have access to a computer and office space.

It is intended that both the student and facility benefit from the internship experience.  The student will have and in-depth experience of Therapeutic Recreation in a clinical psychiatric setting and an opportunity to test and enhance personal and professional skills.  Catawba Hospital will have the benefit of the student’s perspective, enthusiasm and creativity.

We welcome TR students who are interested in shadowing a CTRS for a day, tour our facility, and attend treatment groups.

For further information, please contact:

E-mail:   wayne.kwitny@catawba.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov
Visit us on the web @  www.catawba.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov

Application for internship:
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