Internship Information

We will NOT be taking students for the Winter/Spring 2026 Session. 

The Child Life Department at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital will be offering a fall Child Life Internship. Our program is a hands-on clinical experience is meant to teach and develop the essential skills of the child life practice and provide a framework for the transition from student to professional. 

This internship will run from September 2, 2025 - December 19th, 2025. Students will complete a minimum of 600 hours over the course of 16 weeks.  (*Students will have November 27th off)

Schedule lay out:

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

• 2 weeks shadowing in interns desired department from given list of options 

• Opportunities to schedule site visits 

During each rotation you will:

• Learn common procedures & medical terminology relevant to that unit

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

• Observe procedural or diagnosis education, distraction, and support

The program allows the student 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 support

• Meet other members of the interdisciplinary team such as: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, or our School Teacher

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.