Internships equip learners with adequate concepts to support their career objectives. I started my internship on January 10, 2018 at First Home Care. The facility is found in Portsmouth, Virginia. This journal gives a detailed reflection of my achievements and development of social work values.
Personal Reflection
My internship at First Home Care has widened my skills and knowledge in service delivery. The first training program after starting my placement focused on CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. This program equipped me with satisfactory competencies for managing assaultive and disruptive behaviors. I understood how to improve the level of relationship between practitioners and their clients. Additionally, the training process focused on the CPI Crisis Development Model. The tool guides practitioners to implement desirable approaches for dealing with crises.
From 15th January, the team received CPR and First Aid training. Personally, I learned how to help individuals with stings, strains, cuts, burns, splinters, and abrasions. My team also learned how to give CPR on children, adults, and infants. On 19th January, I started my training in a program known as Day Support Program for Autism. It mainly focused on autism in adults. I understood how to empower, teach, and guide adults with the condition to engage in various activities or aspects in their communities. I collaborated with a counselor who was in charge of three adults with autism. My experience with these three patients made it easier for me to understand the issues associated with autism. I am also expecting to acquire and use numerous theoretical models to support the needs of patients with diverse health and psychological needs.
These tools and programs resonate with most of the values and concepts gained in class. For instance, the above ideas have empowered me to meet the changing needs of different patients, support their developmental goals, and offer exemplary services. Since patients usually require personalized services, I have understood how to offer the best support to them. Individuals in need of exemplary services should be empowered using the right techniques. This analysis indicates that my internship will eventually support my future clinical goals.
I am yet to learn new techniques that can be embraced to support persons experiencing different challenges in life. This gap explains why the remaining days will be taken seriously in order to acquire adequate skills for empowering more people in need of exemplary social or health services. I will also engage in lifelong learning. This practice will equip me with new insights for efficient social and clinical care delivery.
Saint Leo’s Core Value
My internship experience has guided me to develop and apply each of Saint Leo’s core values. The value that has supported me throughout the internship experience is that of community. I have been able to interact with many people such as patients, instructors, and community members. Consequently, I have acquired powerful attributes such as a sense of belonging, interdependence, and unity. I have also understood the importance of respecting and trusting others. The value of community has guided me to listen, serve, and meet the needs of more people.
Conclusion
This reflection shows clearly that my internship is already a success. I have gained new competencies, skills, and ideas that echo most of the concepts studied in class. The value of community will make me successful in my clinical practice. I will also be in a position to address my clients’ social needs. The acquired attributes will empower me to transform the experiences of many people.