Qualifications for Applicants
The Internship program is open to senior or graduate level students from the fields of child life, child development, early childhood education, and other related fields with a strong developmental emphasis.

Internship Semesters
Child Life Internships are offered three times a year:

Application

• Students should apply for an Internship at least three (3) months in advance prior to the starting date of the Internship. However, it is recommended that candidates apply six to nine months in advance of beginning the internship. The student should call (901) 287-5038 and request an Application or download it here (PDF).
• Return the completed application packet consisting of:
  • The application form
  • A three page autobiography
  • The candidate’s personal philosophy concerning child life
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation, in separate envelopes with the references signature across the sealed flap. One from your academic program director, one from a professional who knows your work, and one from a non-family member of your choice.
  • A current copy of his/her academic transcript(s)
  • A copy of the University’s objectives for the Internship
• The student needs to be willing to commit to working eight clinical hours a day, five days a week, for no less than 14 weeks (560 hours). Interns will be required to work various hospital shifts, including days, evenings, and weekends. The Interns will be required to work all holidays and school breaks which fall within the Internship.
• The Director will review the applications and qualified applicants will be called for an interview.

Candidate Notification
After the applications are reviewed and interviews conducted, acceptance into the program will be determined by the Director and the child life staff. Acceptance is based on program capacity and qualifications of all applicants. The Intern candidates will be notified of their acceptance.

Housing Arrangements
Students are responsible for obtaining their own housing.

Contract
The hospital supplies the contract that defines the terms of the agreement and responsibilities of the Internship. The University’s Student Advisor and Le Bonheur’s Vice-President of Operations MUST sign the contract BEFORE the internship begins. The contract serves as a formal commitment by the student and University to the acceptance of the appointment.

Child Life Council
Student membership in the Child Life Council is required:

Child Life Council, Inc.
11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 202
Rockville, MD 20852-2529
Phone: (301) 881-7090 FAX: (301) 881-7092
Web Site: www.ChildLife.org
(Student membership is $45.00 per year)

Insurance
Each Intern is responsible for his/her own health insurance.

Each Intern is responsible for assuring that he/she has liability insurance in the amount $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 annual aggregate. (Most universities carry this liability insurance for their students participating in internships.  If the student’s university does not provide liability coverage, it will be up to the student to obtain insurance from a private agency). Proof of the liability insurance policy must be provided before the internship begins.

Immunizations
A recent chest x-ray or TB skin test with appropriate follow-up is required. Results and documentation must be presented on or before the first day of Internship. Documentation of the Intern’s immunity status to the following is also required:

• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Appropriate MMR boosters (if born after 1956)