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Child Life Internship

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Child Life Internship at Renown

Applications have closed for the August 2025 internship. Keep posted for future internship opportunities on this page.

Build your skills with a 600-hour, full-time Child Life Internship under certified child life specialists. As an intern, you'll work in pediatric units, the PICU, and the ER, gaining hands-on experience in supporting children and families during hospital stays. This program offers diverse learning opportunities to prepare you for a career in child life.

Prerequisites:

Education: Applicants must have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in child development, or a closely related field, and have completed or be in progress with the core 10 required courses for certification by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
Experience: Applicants must have experience working with children and families in healthcare or non-healthcare settings and this should be expanded on within the Internship Readiness Common Application.
Coursework: All coursework required for certification, including a course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist, must be completed by the start of internship.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

Strong foundation in child development
Effective communication skills
Flexibility and adaptability
Ability to advocate for their own learning needs

Internship learning opportunities include:

Providing developmentally appropriate explanations of the healthcare setting
Preparing children and families for stressful events in various units
Offering coping strategies and support
Facilitating expressive outlets through play and therapeutic activities

In addition to direct clinical work, interns will have the opportunity to engage in special events, donations, and educational programming, ensuring they leave the internship as job-ready child life specialists.

The program follows the ACLP curriculum modules and includes assignments, reflective journaling, and ongoing feedback and support to maximize each intern's growth and development throughout their experience.

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