The internship provides students with practical experience in the field that prepares them for a career in assistive or access technology. While all didactic courses will be available online, you will still need to complete the internship requirement in-person.
Students complete an in-person, 240-hour clinical practicum/internship during the summer term. This internship can be completed within a clinic, hospital, community organization, manufacturing or supply company, or any other approved facilities. The hours count towards the work experience requirements to sit for the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification exam.
Students have interned locally and nationally at some of the following organizations:
- UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital
- Pittsburgh Children’s Rehabilitation Institute
- Veteran’s Administration
- UPMC Center for Assistive Technology
- Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind
- U.S. Rehab
- Numotion
- National Seating and Mobility
- Sunrise Medical
- Permobil
- Quantum Rehab
- UPMC Disability Resource Center
- Three Rivers Adaptive Sports
- Tobii-Dynavox
We pride ourselves on our willingness to work with our students regarding their internships. Upon entering the program, we encourage students to talk with their advisor and clinical coordinator if they want to be placed at a specific site or have a particular area of interest.
University and SHRS COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements and Information
The University of Pittsburgh requires that all affiliates on all campuses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and postdocs (the “Participants”). This program also requires some Participants to complete clinical education at facilities external to the university. Many SHRS clinical partners require Participants to be compliant with the federal vaccination requirement. This requirement typically includes providing to the clinical site proof of vaccination or an approved exemption. Failure to comply with this requirement for clinical partners may preclude Participants from completing the clinical requirements of this program. Some of our clinical partners will not accept Participants without proof of vaccination and will not accept exemptions.
Criminal History/Child Abuse Clearance
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and SHRS clinical partners require some Participants to complete criminal history and child abuse clearances pursuant to PA Acts 33/34 and 73. Our clinical partners reserve the right to prohibit a Participant from participation in clinical rotations if information contaminated in the criminal records submitted cause reasonable concern about the Participant’s competency or trustworthiness.
Health Insurance
Participants are not covered by the University of Pittsburgh for Worker’s Compensation Insurance. In the unlikely event of illness or injury at clinical or field experience, these Participants are responsible for all costs; therefore, health insurance is required to participate in clinical activities.
Health History
Participants are not permitted to begin clinical rotations until they have provided a health examination, TB test, and proof of immunity through blood titers for verification of immunizations. The cost of the health assessment and verification of immunity is the responsibility of these Participants and may not be covered by health insurance.
Influenza Vaccination
Many SHRS clinical partners require Participants to receive an influenza vaccination. Failure to comply with this requirement for clinical partners may preclude Participants from completing the clinical requirements of this program. Some of our clinical partners will not permit Participants to complete clinical rotations without proof of vaccination and will not accept exemptions.
Release of Information
Our clinical affiliation agreement requires the program to submit verification of Participants meeting the requirements of the agreement or to submit the actual documentation providing evidence that the Participants meet the requirements of the facility.