Our program is a 16 week, 600 hour, hands-on clinical experience, meant to teach and develop the essential skills of the child life profession and provide a framework for the transition from student to emerging child life professional. We follow the guidelines set forth by the ACLP, including application deadlines and initial offer dates.

Schedule lay out:

• 2- 7 week clinical rotations in various pediatric units including NICU, Surgery, PICU/CVICU, Acute Care, Burn, Hematology/Oncology, Emergency Room 

• 2 week mini rotation where intern will experience different units outside of their 2 main rotations

During each rotation the intern will:

• Learn common procedures & medical terminology relevant to units

• Participate in journaling, in-services, and assigned readings

• Observe procedural and/or diagnosis education, distraction, and support

The program allows the intern opportunities to:

• Learn child life assessments, theories, play interventions and rapport building

• Participate in journaling, in-services, and assigned readings

• Observe and engage in independent play and procedural support

• Meet and collaborate with other members of the interdisciplinary team including: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, School Program, Social Work, and Palliative Care

Goals and Objectives

• Become familiar with the Child Life profession, along with Child Life programs at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent. 

• Gain an understanding of the impact of hospitalization on the emotional and developmental needs of children.

• Have the opportunity to interact with patients on a one-to-one basis and in group situations. 

• Provide an accepting, non-threatening environment to promote healthy interactions between child, staff, and family. 

• Become acquainted with the needs of hospitalized children and to recognize creative and flexible programming to meet those needs. 

• Develop the ability to implement the needs of hospitalized children and to recognize and creative flexible programming to meet those needs. 

• Be an advocate and spokesperson for children and families in their interaction with the health care system. 

• Prepare children for surgery and other medical experiences through the use of books, photo albums, dolls, medical equipment, and play. 

• Gain a basic and practical working knowledge of medical procedures and terminology. 

• Develop an understanding of other disciplines working with Child Life in a hospital setting. 

• Strengthen ability to interact and relate to other professional and departmental members. 

• Develop an understanding of team effort in effecting positive experiences for hospitalized children. 

• Evaluate oneself under the guidance of experienced professionals, and to be measured by professional standards. 

• Begin transition from student to professional. Gain professional attitude, growth, maturity, and judgment.