Clinical Cancer Exercise Specialist Internship : Cancer Rehabilitation
The University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute is a Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization that is a truly unique program and is recognized as a frontrunner in the field of cancer rehabilitation. Our expertise has been developed over the last two and half decades by delivering clinical cancer rehabilitation services, providing educational opportunities and experiences in cancer rehabilitation, and conducting cutting-edge research in exercise-based cancer rehabilitation.
Completing an internship at the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehab Institute (UNCCRI) is a once in a lifetime experience. Interns are responsible for developing and implementing an exercise-based rehabilitation program for cancer survivors.
Unlike other rehabilitation internships, there is no shadowing or observing involved. Interns are responsible for hands on, one-on-one interaction with the cancer survivors in our program. Our internship ensures that students will become the very best clinicians in the field and gain proficiency in cancer-specific clinical assessments such as: vitals, body composition, functional testing, balance, pulmonary function, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility.
Our interns will also gain valuable experience writing exercise prescriptions and developing exercise-based interventions. After completing an internship at UNCCRI and passing our certification exam, interns will become certified as Level 2 Clinical Cancer Exercise Specialists.
Any individual who is looking to work in a rehabilitative, exercise science, or health-related field is welcome to apply. Interested in physical therapy or occupational therapy school? Students seeking admission into physical therapy or occupational therapy school who intern at UNCCRI have a greater chance of a successful admission because completing an internship at UNCCRI provides over 500 clinical, patient contact hours in a rehabilitation setting with a special population. Interns will also become proficient at multiple clinical assessment skills used in most facilities and Interns will have had extensive experience developing and implementing an individualized, prescriptive exercise-based intervention for cancer patients.
Not only does our internship serve as a capstone experience for exercise science-related degrees, it can assist in obtaining similar degrees in higher education. Past interns have been accepted into medical school, dental school, graduate programs, physician assistant programs, with the experience at UNCCRI being one of the major contributing factors setting them apart from other applicants.
*This is an unpaid internship due to UNCCRI being a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
Please contact Michael Lazio (Michael.lazio@unco.edu) for any further questions or concerns.
Internship Qualifications:
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science or health-related field (graduate level internships are also available)
- Knowledge of exercise assessment (treadmill testing, body composition, spirometry, muscular strength/endurance, flexibility/ROM), exercise prescription, and exercise programming
- Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED) certification
- Must be available a minimum of 30 hours per week for 15-to-17 weeks if registered for a 12 credit internship
Internship Opportunities:
- Medical screenings for cancer patients
- Conduct exercise assessments of cancer patients
- Write exercise prescriptions for cancer patients
- Develop, implement, and supervise exercise interventions for cancer patients
- Assist the UNCCRI Director, Clinical Coordinator, and other staff with various aspects of UNCCRI policies, procedures, data collection/management