At Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Child Life Services focuses on enhancing the psychosocial experience within the hospital environment. We have a team of Child Life Specialists, Child Life Activity Coordinators, School Teachers and a Special Event Coordinator who work to reduce the stress and anxiety that typically comes with hospitalization. Recognizing the importance of investing in the field of child life, we currently offer two educational opportunities for students pursuing a career in child life.
Child Life Practicum
To apply for a Summer 2024 practicum opportunity, please review the Child Life Practicum Program Packet to confirm eligibility, complete the online application form, and submit your video to child.life@lebonheur.org by January 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Our practicum program is an introductory experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career in child life. Practicum students will have the opportunity to become familiar with medical play, pre-operative and pre-procedural preparation, coping facilitation, planning and supervising developmentally appropriate activities while working with individuals and groups. The practicum is designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of child life practice through observation of the daily work of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Child Life Clinical Internship
Internships offered for Fall and Winter/Spring Semesters
Our child life internship program is a concentrated 16-week program that gives students practical, intensive experiences in the child life profession. Under the guidance of Certified Child Life Specialists, interns participate in the development and implementation of therapeutic, educational and recreational activities for patients and their families. Interns will be given exposure to child life in a variety of settings to promote optimal growth and development as they transition from student to professional.
To apply for the Fall 2024 clinical internship, please submit a PDF of your completed Association of Child Life Professionals Internship Readiness Common Application. We will be reviewing the first 150 applications that are received and are accepting applications from February 15, 2024 - March 15, 2024.
Application details and process
- Utilize this link (https://mlhforms.formstack.com/forms/child_life_intern_application) for submission.
- The PDF downloaded as part of the ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application is the only component that will be reviewed. No additional documentation will be required or reviewed for a candidate’s initial submission (i.e. letters of recommendation, resumes, etc.).
- After application review, candidates that move forward in the process may be asked to provide additional content as part of the selection process.
- Additional details will be provided to candidates each step of the way to guide them through the process.
After applications are reviewed, we will narrow the field and select a few applicants for a video interview. From there, we will select candidates for a final phone interview.
If you are interested in becoming a child life specialist, please refer to the Association of Child Life Professionals' website at https://www.childlife.org/certification/becoming-certified.
To contact the Child Life team, email Child.Life@lebonheur.org.
Additional Educational Opportunities
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Center to provide a Child Life 101 to those interested in pursuing a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist. For more information about the Child Life 101, please follow this link.
