Child Life Internship Opportunities
Prerequisites for the program and the application process
Clinical experience options
We are committed to providing quality supervision and appropriate clinical opportunities based upon student goals and qualifications.
Internship
Full-time - 40 hours per week over a 14-16 week semester, totaling 600 hours.
Successful completion of these hours meets the Child Life Council's eligibility requirements to sit for child life certification exam.
This clinical option is designed for students pursuing academic careers in Child Life or other related fields, interested in gaining advanced knowledge of the Child Life profession, with a goal of obtaining Child Life Certification, and working as a Child Life Specialist. These students are expected to meet or exceed the minimum prerequisites for this clinical experience.
Students performing the internship will be responsible for assessing the developmental abilities, emotional & psychosocial needs, and overall adjustment of patients to their hospitalization and/or illness. Based upon these assessments, interns will identify and implement appropriate developmental, recreational, diversional, and therapeutic interventions. Interns will be required to learn the process of charting, and document relevant interventions in the medical record.
Interns will do two rotations, both a minimum of 7 weeks each during the semester to be exposed to Child Life services in varying settings. They will also have the opportunity to shadow in other areas in which they are not assigned a rotation to.
Practicum
10-20 hours per week over a 14-16 week semester.
This clinical option is designed for students pursuing academic careers in Child Life, or other related fields, and who are interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of the Child Life profession, as well as experiences facing children and adolescents in the healthcare setting.
Students performing the practicum option will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in acclimating children and families to the healthcare setting, identifying developmentally appropriate normalization activities, and comfort interacting with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Based upon the student's demonstration of skills and knowledge, as determined by the clinical supervisor at CHaD, students may be presented with opportunities to provide preparation and support for non-invasive procedures, participate in specialty rounds, access to relevant medical records, and help to facilitate and participate in special events.
For more information on child life services, please visit www.childlife.org.
