Sharp Community Re-entry

I have just completed my first week at my first off campus placement. Never again will I have to do clinic in a university clinic. I have made my first steps into the real world of speech language pathology, and it is very exciting!

The CRP (Community Re-entry Program) works on functional goals for clients with brain injuries with the intent of returning them to school/work/driving/regular life. It is a team of speech pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social work. As an intern, I am currently mostly observing and helping out with scattered therapy activities. By the end of the semester I will be doing full time therapy for the clients.

My schedule fits the perfect balance of busy, but not too crazy. I am in Mon Wed Thurs from 8:00-4:30. Of course, to manage this with public transportation, I catch my first of two buses at 7:00 am, and don't count on getting home until about 5:30 pm. I really like that my placement is actually at a hospital. It feels very professional, but since we are completely outpatient, I don't have to worry about the blood and guts stuff.

I'm really loving getting to know the clients. Each has their own amazing personality and sense of humor. There are currently about 10 in the program, and most of them will be discharged by the end of this month, but I look forward to getting to know the new ones who will be coming in as well.

The funny thing about being an intern, is your supervisor has the liberty to ask you to do little things that don't exactly relate to what you're studying to do. Though I imagine in some cases this could become aggravating, I kind of enjoy being asked to file things or run little errands. I guess it really makes me feel like I'm in the real world instead of the fish tank that university clinics tend to be.

In any case, I have immensely enjoyed my first week and can't wait to get more client contact hours in the weeks to come.