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- An exceptional learning experience awaits you at The Arc of Anchorage
Opportunity:
Our practicum experiences are unique. You will have the opportunity to engage with people who have many different abilities and challenges. During your practicum, you may experience working with individuals in many environments such as home, work, school, community working on recreational, vocational, social, personal, and independent living type of skills. Also, because our agency regularly coordinates with many other service providers, you will have an excellent opportunity to learn more about community resources.
Who Participates: Undergraduate and Graduate Students from the following not limited to Human Services, Psychology, Nursing, and Social Work, Business & Technology will find The Arc of Anchorage internships or practicums a great way to add some hands-on, practical experience to their education and resumes. Students pursuing other degree programs such as special education, therapeutic education, art therapy, and recreational therapy are also encouraged to apply.
Please get to Know Us Better:
The Arc of Anchorage is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting community integration and quality of life for Alaskan children and adults who experience intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, or hard of hearing. The Arc of Anchorage was founded in 1957 by a small group of parents. Located on Northern Lights near the UAA and APU campuses, The Arc of Anchorage currently employs close to 300 employees. Learn more about us and those we are privileged to serve at www.thearcofanchorage.org.
What We Offer:
The Arc of Anchorage offers internships and practicums year-round at the start of each academic term. We offer different arrangements based on your goals, desired outcomes, and course requirements. You will have an opportunity to experience all of The Arc of Anchorage and our many services, choose a particular emphasis within one or more of our programs. Most internships and practicums focus on one or both of the following experiences:
- Rotational experience. Here students rotate around the organization spending several days or a week in each of a variety of departments or program areas. Students have the opportunity to observe staff and see work done across the whole of The Arc of Anchorage organization. You may visit individual or group homes with staff, spend time in Case Management areas, observe mental health clinicians, participate in recreational programs, learn about administrative work, and see outreach activities in action.
- Immersion experience. Here students are linked with a staff coordinator in a specific Arc program area where they stay, observe, and learn for several weeks or longer. This arrangement is based on a student’s expressed interest. In this arrangement, students receive in-depth experience in a particular program area such as behavioral health, community living services, supported employment, case management, or recreational programs. Activities may include shadowing, accompanying staff on home visits, attending department training and meetings, or observing clinical group therapy sessions. Nursing students may take a particular interest in our services for children with complex medical needs. Business & Technology students can intern in our finance/accounting, human resources, IT, or outreach/marketing areas. Let us know what your requirements are, and we will work with you and your faculty advisor to craft the best placement possible.
- Orientation: All students will receive basic orientation training, and some may attend additional orientations specific to their departmental immersion experience. Those in direct contact with agency consumers will receive Universal Precautions/Blood Borne Pathogens training and HIPAA Privacy Protection training as well.
Supervision & Restrictions:
All students will be under the direct supervision of an Arc supervisory staff member, typically a Program Director or Team Leader. Students may never work unsupervised with Arc of Anchorage consumers unless authorized to do so by Human Resources. Additionally, students are not permitted to drive consumers in their vehicles or use their vehicles to conduct Arc business unless approved as an authorized driver by Human Resources.
Application & Other Requirements:
Applicants must complete The Arc of Anchorage Intern & Practicum Application. Applications are due at least two weeks before the start of a student’s academic term and will be reviewed for selection on a first-come-first-serve basis. In addition to the application form, applicants must provide the following before beginning their practicum or internship assignments:
- TB Test results (current within one year)
- Background clearance
“Encouraging and celebrating the lives of those who experience developmental disabilities.”
