Occupational Therapy Life Skill Trainer Internship

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

LOCATION: Salt Lake City, Utah         

START DATE: Fall 2026

DURATION: 12-14 Weeks

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 26 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

The International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City (IRC-SLC) Health Programs promotes
physical and psychological well-being by facilitating access to healthcare services and providing
education and advocacy.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK:

The Occupational Therapy (OT) program focuses on life skills training in a wide range of areas for self-sufficiency and access to community resources. Training is provided in areas such as the use of kitchen appliances, budgeting, paying bills, use of bank accounts, public transportation, medication management, and scheduling appointments. Groups that the OT program may offer include Pre-Driving, which teaches the rules of the road, job-seeking, and financial management.

MINIMUM COMMITMENT: 10 – 20 hours per week

THE PROFESSION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY:

The fundamental core of OT is to support clients’ abilities to participate in the everyday activities that they need and want to do. OTs have, at a minimum, a master’s degree, and OT Assistants have a community college or bachelor’s degree. Most often, they work in a healthcare environment with people of any age who are dealing with physical, cognitive, or mental health issues. OT education includes knowledge of many health conditions across the life span. Breaking down tasks into simpler and smaller components and therapeutic-use-of-self are skills practiced.  In many settings, there are OT aides who do not have a degree in OT but who provide assistance to clients under the direction of the staff OT. The intern position at IRC is similar to the OT Aide position in other settings and provides an opportunity to learn about the OT profession.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the direction of the staff occupational therapist, provide life skills training activities in client homes and in the community.
• Provide assistance teaching group activities.
• Communicate with caseworkers, health team members, and others at IRC as OT collaborates with many different programs at the IRC.
• Document activities completed and response of client(s) and provide to OT.
• Attend staff meetings as schedule allows.
• Assist staff occupational therapist and OT students as assigned   
• Support the IRC–SLC office with other duties as assigned

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Gain professional experience working in the public health sector. Gain experience teaching and communicating with clients to break new learning tasks into smaller pieces to support client success. Gain experience teaching life skills in a community setting. Gain knowledge about the profession of occupational therapy and other professions represented at the IRC. Gain experience collaborating and communicating with a wide range of IRC professionals from different backgrounds and specialties. Gain experience communicating with English Language Learners and use of an interpreter. Gain public speaking experience through teaching classes to clients and reporting in staff meetings.

Requirements:  

• Interest in working with diverse populations
• Motivated, flexible, able to work independently
• Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Strong computer skills
• Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and willingness to drive clients
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English; fluenc