Choosing a Student Internship Site
This checklist has been developed to assist students in choosing an internship site. The questions may aid in focusing inquiries made during interviews and in comparing various internship sites being considered. Become familiar with all pediatric facilities in the geographic area, or the area being considered, that employ child life specialists and offer internships. Consider all patient settings: chronic, acute, rehabilitative, inpatient and outpatient. Be sure to look carefully at the overall child life program as well as the student intern program. For a detailed description of attributes desirable in an internship site, see Standards for Academic and Clinical Preparation Programs in Child Life, available from the Child Life Council.
Does the child life program have?
- a written philosophy statement describing the theoretical foundation for services?
- stated goals and objectives that direct services?
- established services which focus on family-centered care, a developmental approach with children, and include:
- emphasis on working with patients and families,
- assessment of needs of children and families,
- documentation in medical charts,
- preparation of children for health care experiences,
- emotional support for patients and families,
- developmentally-based opportunities for play activities,
- therapeutic play interactions,
- interdisciplinary team approach with other health care workers,
- interactions and activities that facilitate expression of
- age-appropriate facilities (playroom, teen lounge, parent lounge)?
- resource library on child life issues that is available to students?
- opportunity for community outreach?
Does the student internship program have?
- a history and commitment to student education?
- a written agreement with your academic institution and an agreement regarding liability coverage?
- a student manual or written information which describes goals, objectives, general description of program typical day and requirements?
- an opportunity to visit and observe the program in action, have an interview and meet the staff?
- a planned orientation to the program and hospital?
- regularly scheduled group and individual meetings with supervisor?
- a written evaluation tool? Is the student a part of the process?
- specific assignment to a unit or a rotation between several placements?
- a student fee? What does it cover?
- educational opportunities within the hospital (e.g., grand rounds) and/or the department?
- a Certified Child Life Specialist as supervisor? (required for certification)
- an opportunity to observe in action a professional child life specialist in an interdisciplinary meeting and to participate in such meetings?
- a minimum of 480 hours under supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist? (required for certification)
Additional considerations
- Housing availability, public transportation (accessibility to institution and cost) and the cost of living
- To find a field experience well suited to your own learning style and background, compare and contrast sites for:
- independent learning opportunities to extend your experience and knowledge
- diverse populations and/or setting which are different from your previous experiences
- a field experience that matches your current state of professional development
- adequate staff who are able to provide ample time for supervision
You may also wish to refer to Choosing an Academic Program