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Internships, Clinical Rotations and Practica Opportunities

A variety of internships, clinical rotation, and practica opportunities are available at BSDC. These opportunities are provided through affiliation with Nebraska’s universities, colleges and technical schools. Opportunities are available at BSDC in:

Dentistry
A program of rotations, in affiliation with the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry, is available for senior dental and dental hygiene students. Students have the opportunity to observe, assist, and treat patients within a developmental disability setting.
Students are provided with eight blocks, or three-week rotation periods, during the school year. The rotation may be split between BSDC and another site. One-week student rotations for dental hygiene are also available.

For more information, contact John Neuhaus, DDS, (402) 223-7514, or by e-mail at: John.Neuhaus@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Medicine
BSDC serves as a rotation site for Physician Assistant and Advance Practice Registered Nurse students through affiliation with the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. Training experiences include:

  • Participation in Interdisciplinary Team Psychiatric Clinics
  • Diagnosis and treatment of patients with developmental disabilities and mental illness
  • Experience with multiple classes of psychoactive medications
  • Interaction with multiple treatment disciplines

For more information, contact Hal Thaut, MD, Medical Director, (402) 223-7566, or e-mail at: Hal.Thaut@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Nursing
Clinical rotations and practica opportunities include:

  • A three-week experience in medical/surgical nursing and pediatrics for the Licensed Practical Nurse program of the Southeast Community College-Beatrice campus.
  • Medical/surgical/pediatric clinical rotation for the RN baccalaureate program at Union College in Lincoln.
  • Individualized clinical/administrative practica for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students who seek specialized training in cooperation with the Fort Hays (Kansas) State University (FHSU).
  • Clinical site for nurse practitioner students presenting with a member of the Medical Staff.

Additional clinical/administrative practica opportunities may be available from other colleges within the Midwest region.

For more information, contact Alan McVay, RN, BSN, Administrator of Nursing, (402) 223-7509, or e-mail at: Alan.McVay@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Nutrition
In cooperation with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, dietetic interns may perform part of their clinical practica at BSDC. Special training experiences available include:

  • Completing nutritional assessment for pediatric, adult and geriatric populations.
  • Working with therapeutic diets, dysphagia evaluation and treatment.
  • Identifying drug-nutrient interactions.
  • Participating within an Interdisciplinary Team.

For more information, contact Sara Young, RD, Professional Supervisor, (402) 223-7275 or by e-mail at: Sara.Young@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy
Clinical rotation opportunities are provided for physical therapy and occupational therapy doctoral candidates from Creighton University in Omaha, physical therapy students from University of Nebraska Medical Center, physical therapist assistant students from Northeast Community College in Norfolk, and occupational therapy assistant students from Casper Junior College in Casper, Wyoming.

Clinical experience in the areas of adaptive equipment, functional positioning, and upper and lower extremity orthotics and working with pediatric, adolescent, and/or adult persons is available. The following clinical experiences are also provided:

  • Conducting evaluation
  • Providing direct treatment
  • Completing wheelchair evaluations
  • Participating in wheelchair clinics
  • Developing and providing inservices for staff
  • Working with orthopedics to working with orthopedic surgeon
  • Providing consultative services
  • Interacting with other health care professionals within an Interdisciplinary Team.

For more information contact Rudy Vazquez, OTR/L, Coordinator of Developmental Therapy, (402) 223-7524, or e-mail at: Rudy.Vazquez@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Pharmacy
BSDC provides a four-week clinical rotation in affiliation with the University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy and Creighton School of Pharmacy. The rotation’s focus is on anticonvulsants and psychopharmacotherapy. Experiences include:

  • Interdisciplinary Team Psychiatric Clinic participation
  • Drug therapy monitoring
  • Medication indicator reviews
  • Unit dose drug distribution system

For more information contact John Hill, RP, Pharmacy Manager, (402) 223-7518 or e-mail at: John.Hill@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Psychology
Clinical training experiences for doctoral level interns include:

  • Clinical consultation
  • Psychological, behavioral and functional assessments
  • Behavioral intervention design and implementation
  • Group and individual therapy

Internships may involve two to four major rotations in addition to a yearlong case assignment. Areas of emphasis may include working with medically fragile individuals, the elderly, those with dual diagnoses, and those receiving short-term, intensive treatment. Involvement in independent research activities, administrative aspects of the department, or with off-site consultation with families, schools, and community-based service providers is also available.

For more information contact Lynn Bogart PhD, Psychological Services Director, (402) 223-6155, or e-mail at: Lynn.Bogart @dhhs.ne.gov.

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Religion
A short-term intern program for seminary, Bible College, or religious studies students is available. Areas of emphasis include:

  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal relations
  • Religious special education
  • Effective planning and designing of worship services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Seminars addressing these areas are also available for religious service providers, clergy and laypersons.

For more information contact Larry Ramsey, MDiv, Chaplain/Religious Services Coordinator, (402) 223-6126, or e-mail at: Larry.Ramsey@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Social Work
Social work practica programs are available through:

Students are provided with social work practice skills involving individuals, groups, and families, program development and administration.

For information contact Cliff Lindell, Assistant Administrator at (402) 223-7577 or email to Cliff.Lindell@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Special Education
Students pursuing teaching certification and certificate endorsements may gain teaching experience in the areas of:

  • Behavior Disorders
  • Autism
  • Deaf/Blind
  • Multiply Disabled

Special Education internships are offered under the direction of certified and endorsed teachers. Interns receive experience interacting with students who require highly specialized services. Prospective intern candidates may initiate goals and objectives under the guidance of their advisor to fulfill aspects of Special Education experience.

For information contact, Cliff Lindell, Assistant Administrator, (402) 223-7577 or e-mail at Cliff.Lindell@hss.ne.gov.

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Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology
BSDC offers practicum hours for graduate students associated with the Department of Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Specialty areas in which experience may be gained include:

  • Diagnostics
  • Individual and group therapy
  • Provision of inservice to paraprofessional and professional staff
  • Augmented communication
  • Working within an Interdisciplinary Team approach
  • Hearing aids
  • Hearing conservation
  • Dysphasia evaluation and follow-up

Additionally, for the Master’s level professional, Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) supervision is available.

For information contact Jan Goracke, MA, CCC-A, Coordinator of Speech and Hearing Services, (402) 223-7521, or e-mail at: Jan.Goracke@dhhs.ne.gov.

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Therapeutic Recreation
BSDC provides internship experiences for Therapeutic Recreation (TR) students that are in compliance with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) requirements. This includes:

  • The total minimum number of required hours is 480. The minimum number of hours and weeks must be accomplished at one agency site over a consecutive period of time. No fewer than 20 hours per week nor more than 45 hours per week will be accepted for the field placement experience. Additionally, the field placement experience must be completed for no fewer than twelve consecutive full weeks. The total minimum number of required hours is 480. For students completing only 20 hours a week, the total number of weeks will be 24 to meet the minimum 480-hour requirements. The field placement experience should be continuous and uninterrupted and must take place at one agency site. Total hours may not be split between two or more sites or accumulated over multiple sites.

  • Supervision by an on-site field placement supervisor who is certified by NCTRC at the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist professional level. Full-time, on-site, agency supervisor must be "actively" certified at the professional level with NCTRC. The CTRS supervisor must be employed full-time by the agency. Full-time involvement also indicates that the supervisor will be working directly with the student.

  • An acceptable internship must be based on the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the knowledge and tasks in the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study. This means the student will have experience in all areas of the NCTRC National Job Analysis Skills, including: agency and TR service planning, assessment for TR intervention, individual intervention planning, implementation of TR services, evaluation of the intervention plan, documentation, working with treatment/service teams, organizing and managing services, outreach/advocacy, public relations, and professional development.

For information contact Julie Belding, MA, CTRS, Recreation Coordinator, (402) 223-7550, or e-mail at: Julie.Belding@dhhs.ne.gov.

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