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Child Life Internship Job Shadow

A 19-week Child Life Internship is offered in the spring and fall at MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

The purpose of this internship is to demonstrate how Child Life theory is applied in the clinical setting and to facilitate your transition from student to entry-level Child Life professional. Skills observed and learned throughout your experience will also help to prepare you for the Child Life Certification Exam. 

MercyOne Children’s Hospital will not be offering a fall 2024 or spring 2025 internship. Please check back for updates.

CHILD LIFE INTERNSHIP Application Process

Before applying for the Child Life Internship candidates must complete all of the requirements in order to be eligible to sit for the exam except for the internship.  Candidates must have the following completed prior to submission of the Child Life Common Application:

  • Bachelor's degree or college senior enrolled in any area of study.
  • Completion of a Child Life Course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist.
  • Completion of or in progress with good standing in nine additional courses in child life or related subject area (see Association of Child Life Professionals website for more detailed information on coursework requirements) http://www.childlife.org/docs/default-source/certification/2019-eligibility-details.pdf?sfvrsn=12.
  • High academic achievement:  GPA of 3.0+.
  • Minimum of 50 hours working with families and children in each category of experience as described on the Child Life Common Application: in Healthcare Settings, in Stressful Situations, and in typical settings.  

Please include the following with the completed application:

  • Three recommendation forms included in the Common Application.  One reference from each of the following settings: 1) Academic 2) Healthcare experience and 3) Non-academic setting addressing your interactions with children (such as volunteer, summer camp, daycare, etc.). The recommendation forms should be completed by people who have directly interacted with or observed you.
  • Official Child Life Eligibility Assessment Report.
  • Transcript (official or non-official is acceptable).
  • Resume/curriculum vitae.
  • Any additional documents to support your eligibility (such as in progress forms, verification forms, etc.).
  • Send the completed application and requested supporting documents by the postmark deadline to:

Send the completed application and requested supporting documents by the postmark deadline to:

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center 
Attn: Rebecca Wilson 3 North Pediatrics 
1111 6th Avenue 
Des Moines, Iowa 50314

Please contact Rebecca Wilson at 515-822-4519 or at rebecca.wilson@mercyoneiowa.org with specific questions regarding the Child Life Internship.

For more information about application submission deadlines please visit ChildLife.org

Once your application is received and reviewed you will receive a call thanking you for your application or inviting you to schedule and participate in a Skype interview. Our internship program follows the offer/acceptance deadlines listed on the ACLP website.

If you accept our Child Life Internship Offer you agree to:

  • Commit to a 19-week, 600-hour internship. Interns will be required to work 40 hours per week, including some weekend and evening hours.
  • Pass a mandatory health screening and show proof of up-to-date immunization record.
  • Sign a contract of agreement for internship participation with your college/university or carry the liability insurance with a minimum $1,000,000 coverage (if not affiliated).
  • Read these required resources prior to internship start date:
    • Gaynard, L., Wolfer, J. Goldberger, J., Thompson, R., Redburn, L., and Laidley, L. (1990). Psychosocial Care of Children in Hospitals: A clinical Practice Manual.
    • Thompson, R., Stanford, G. (1981). Child Life in Hospitals.

CHILD LIFE Job Shadow

Opportunities are also available for job shadowing child life specialists at MercyOne. Prerequisites for the child life job shadow include:

  • Interest in a 2 hour observation opportunity with a Child Life Specialist
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older

For more information, please contact Child Life at mercychildlife@mercyoneiowa.org

If you would like to volunteer in the pediatric areas, you will need to visit the MercyOne Volunteer Services.

 

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