Child Life Externship
About The Position
The Child Life Extern is a structured clinical training position that provides comprehensive preparation for professional practice as a Child Life Specialist. This paid educational experience is designed to meet the clinical training requirements for Child Life Certification eligibility and provides intensive, supervised practice in the delivery of psychosocial care to infants, children, adolescents, and families in healthcare settings. Under the supervision of Certified Child Life Specialists, the Child Life Extern progressively develops competency in assessment, preparation and education, intervention, documentation, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration through direct patient and family interactions. Upon successful completion of the externship, participants will have demonstrated the foundational knowledge and clinical skills necessary for entry-level child life practice.
Requirements
- Completed ACLP Internship Common Application and all required application materials, including the ACLP Eligibility Assessment, and unofficial transcripts.
- Enrollment in or completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program that meets Child Life Certification requirements. Applicants must be a college senior, graduate student, or college graduate.
- Successful completion of ACLP internship eligibility requirements. Applicants with coursework in progress are eligible to apply provided their transcripts verify enrollment. A completed ACLP Eligibility Assessment is required before the internship start date.
- Experience working with children through paid or volunteer roles in both healthcare and non-healthcare environments.
Responsibilities
- Conduct developmental and psychosocial assessments of pediatric patients and families.
- Develop and implement individualized child life interventions based on assessed needs.
- Provide preparation, education, and coping support for medical procedures and hospital experiences.
- Facilitate therapeutic, developmental, and medical play opportunities.
- Support children and families during procedures and other stressful healthcare experiences.
- Promote positive coping, resilience, and adjustment to illness, injury, hospitalization, and treatment.
- Provide sibling, family, and bereavement support as appropriate.
- Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with departmental and organizational standards.
- Collaborate with physician, nurses, social workers, therapists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Active participation is expected in Child Life staff meetings, in-services, interdisciplinary opportunities, and relevant departmental educational experiences.
- Complete assigned readings, presentations, and other educational requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
