Child Life Internship
Comprehensive child life internship training is offered two times a year, Fall and Spring. Internship training is required for those students who are planning a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Internship positions are full time (36 hours/week) for a minimum of 14 weeks.
Interns are involved in the planning and implementation of a developmentally and emotionally supportive program for children and adolescents. Students are expected to incorporate play, emotional support, healthcare education and family involvement in order to enhance the social, emotional, intellectual and physical well-being of children and families in the healthcare setting.
St. Alexius Medical Center is a community hospital. We have a 6 bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, 9 private and 27 semi-private general Pediatric beds, and a 9 bed Pediatric Emergency Room.
Interns rotate through several different areas of the hospital during their experience. Rotations include the Pediatric Emergency Room, Pediatric Outpatient Services, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and General Pediatrics. Students will also participate in Community classes through Child Life services.
Internship students must be college seniors or graduates with a strong background in Child Development, Psychology, or a closely related field.
Recommended readings prior to internship are:
- Psychosocial Care of Children in Hospital L. Gaynard, et al (1998)
- Child Life in Hospitals: Theory and Practice, by R. Thompson and G. Stanford (1981)
The recommended readings can be purchased through the Child Life Council bookstore at www.childlife.org.
For further information please contact Katie Hammerberg, Child life coordinator at (847) 843-2000, ext 6634 .
Please complete an application to apply for the training.
