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The child life internship program at Memorial University Medical Center provides a hands-on learning experience for students seeking a degree in child life. Our internship program consists of at least 560 hours of supervised clinical work within a children’s hospital (at least a 15-week commitment at 40 hours a week). Our internships are available during the summer and fall semesters.

Child life interns receive training and experience in the following areas: playroom management, therapeutic play activities, one-on-one and group support, supervision of volunteers, sibling and parental support, preparation and medical play for procedures, procedural support and distraction, peri-operative support and services, outpatient services, and other areas. Interns also participate in community health fairs, support groups, and other community outreach programs designated by the child life team.

Child Life Internship Objectives

1. To become oriented to the child life profession.
2. To recognize the developmental issues and needs of hospitalized children and families.
3. To relate and apply classroom theories and techniques to real-life situations.
4. To plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally therapeutic play activities for patients in a group setting and on an individual basis.
5. To assess the coping responses and stressors of children and families in the hospital and provide appropriate interventions to minimize their stress and anxiety.
6. To observe, participate in, and conduct medical preparation sessions for procedures and surgeries using a variety of techniques.
7. To develop effective communication skills with children and adolescents.
8. To participate in the multi-disciplinary team approach to healthcare.
9. To become familiar with the process of documentation in medical charts.
10. To provide emotional support to siblings, parents, and families of hospitalized children.
11. To explore the child life role in providing various community outreach services.
12. To effectively manage and maintain playroom services, including supervising volunteers.
13. To objectively evaluate his/her interventions and work performance.
14. To develop his/her supervisory role and leadership skills.
15. To strengthen and grow as a professional.

Qualifications for Child Life Internship
To be considered for a child life internship, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

1. Must be a college senior or have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree at the time of internship. Suggested majors for internship include: child life, child development, family and human development, early childhood education, and recreational therapy.
2. Must have approximately 60 hours of experience working with children in a healthcare setting. (Documented proof of hours required)
3. Must have approximately 100 hours of other child-related experiences: child care, camps, education/ teaching, etc. (Documented proof of hours required)
4. Must have a working knowledge of the resources provided by the Child Life Council. We require that each intern read the following books prior to internship:
   • Child Life in Hospitals: Theory and Practice, by Thompson and Stanford (1981)
   • Psychosocial Care of Children in Hospitals: A Clinical Practice Manual, by L. Gaynard, et al.; (1990)
   • Meeting Children’s Psychosocial Needs Across the Health Care Continuum, by Rollins, Bolig, & Mahan

Application Process
Students interested in applying for a child life internship should follow this schedule:

Fall Internship: August through December
Application is due May 5
An offer is made by June 22

Summer Internship: May through August
Application is due January 5
An offer is made by February 22

(No internship offered during spring semester)

Child life internship applications must meet all requirements to be accepted for evaluation. Application Packet must be postmarked by application deadlines listed above.

The application packet should include the items listed below.  Submit all paperwork (numbers one through six below) in one mailing.  Application packets that do not include all necessary paperwork are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.      

1. Child Life Internship Application (link below) 
2. Formal letter expressing your interest in the internship
3. Professional resume
4. Certified proof, or letters from supervisors, verifying all volunteer hours (60 hours of experience working with children in a healthcare setting and  100 hours of other child-related experiences: child care, camps, education/ teaching, etc.).
5. Official copy of your university transcript AND Official Child Life Council Coursework Review (Refer to the “Getting Certified” section of the Child Life Council Website for the Official CLC Coursework Review.  The Child Life Certifying Committee only does course reviews at certain times during the year.)
6. Two sealed letters of recommendation. At least one professional reference must be included.  

Steps in the Application Process

Interview Process
The child life internship application process will be completed by the deadline listed above as recommended by the Child Life Council. The interview process is as follows:

Phase 1: Qualified applicants will receive an e-mail with specific questions that must be answered within three days.

Phase 2: An evaluation of written responses will be conducted. All acceptable applicants will be offered a phone interview with a certified child life specialist.

Phase 3: Qualified applicants will be invited to Savannah for an on-site interview.

Phase 4: One applicant will receive an official offer of internship.

Other Information
Interns must present proof of immunizations and complete a criminal background check, drug screening, and mandatory on-site training prior to the start date. Failure to complete any of the above items will result in withdrawal of internship offer. Child life interns do not receive a monetary stipend or housing assistance.