Thank you for your interest in child life at St. Joseph's Children's ...

Dear Student:Thank you for your interest in child life at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. Ourhospital and child life department are committed to and excited about providing qualityeducation and meaningful experiences for future child life professionals.Our internship is designed to meet the student’s needs both professionally andacademically. Although this internship is best suited for undergraduate students nearinggraduation (during last 2 semesters of school), we accept students who have alreadyearned their degree. This 600-hour/15 week internship will provide students with acomprehensive experience in clinical skills as well as professional development.The minimum criteria for acceptance into our child life internship are as follows:• Minimum of 100 volunteer hours related to working with children• Major GPA > 3.00• 2 Letters of referenceo 1 from a professor or academic advisoro 1 from a professional that has observed you working with children• Official transcript from University• 500-word typed essay on why you would like to become a child life specialist• Resume with cover letter• Documentation of Coursework Review by the Child Life Councilwww.childlife.orgAfter evaluation of your application, you may be contacted for an interview.Selection of interns is based on GPA, letters of recommendation, essay, and personalinterview. Please remember that the Child Life Council must approve your courseworkfor eligibility to sit for certification exam.If you are selected for the internship as a student currently enrolled in a universityprogram, your university will be required to engage in a contractual relationship with St.Joseph's Children's Hospital.You will be required to furnish proof of a negative drug screen and a criminalbackground check at the beginning of your internship. Additional information will beprovided upon acceptance. Thank you for your interest in Child Life and St. Joseph’sChildren’s Hospital.Sincerely,Leslie Holley M.S., CCLS, Internship Coordinator

Child Life Internship Coursework RequirementsMINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:Completion of 10 college courses within the following areas:- Child Life- Child/Family Development- Family Dynamics- Human Development- Psychology- Sociology- Counseling- Education- Expressive Therapies (e.g. play, music, dance, art)- Therapeutic RecreationPreferred CourseworkChild Life in HospitalsPlay TherapyMedical TerminologyGroup Activities/Group DynamicsEarly Childhood EducationAbnormal Psychology/Behavior PsychologyMedical Sociology/EthicsAnatomy/PhysiologyMulticultural AwarenessInterpersonal RelationshipsInternshipDuring:ApplicationPostmarked by:InterviewsDuring:ApplicantAcceptanceWithin:January-April September 1st October 3 days ofinternship offerMay-August January 1 st February 3 days ofinternship offerSeptember-DecemberMay 1 st June 3 days ofinternship offer

I. Student evaluation is based on:1. Written Mid-term and final evaluations using a tool based on the ChildLife Council’s competencies2. Objectives determined by the student.3. Objectives established by the student’s academic advisor.Required Reading Prior to Internship“Psychosocial Care of Children in Hospitals: A Clinical Practice Manual”Gaynard et al. (1990).“Child Life in Hospitals: Theory in Practice”. Thompson and Stanford, (1981).Recommended Reading:- Official Documents of the Child Life Council- Coping in Children: Early Intervention practices to EnhanceAdaptive Behavior and ResilienceBy Zeitlin and Williamson (1994)- A Child in Pain, How to Help, What to DoBy Dr. Leora Kutner (1999)- Play TherapyBy Virginia Axline- Meeting Children’s Psychosocial Needs Across the HealthcareContinuum By Holt Rollins, Rosemary, Ph.D. Bolig, and CarmelC. Mahan

St. Joseph's Children's HospitalChild Life DepartmentInternship ApplicationName: ________________________________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Email address: _________________________________________________________________Telephone: _______________________________Cell Phone____________________________Best time to reach me and the # ____________________________________________________Institution, Academic Major, and expected graduation date (most recent first):__________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________Desired Date of Internship: _______________________________________________________University academic advisor or contact person:Name: ________________________________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone: _______________________________________________________________________E-Mail address: ________________________________________________________________I wish to be considered for the child life internship, I will forward and enclose:• Documentation of a minimum of a 100 hours of volunteer work with children• 2 letters of reference, one from a professor and one from a professional who has observedme working with children• Official transcripts from all universities attended• 500-word typed essay on why you would like to become a Child Life Specialist• Current resume• Documentation of Course Work Review by the Child Life Council__________________________________Signature________________________DatePlease return to:St. Joseph’s Children’s HospitalChild Life DepartmentAttn: Leslie Holley MS, CCLSSr. Certified Child Life Specialist Hematology/Oncology Unit & ClinicInternship Coordinator3001 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.Tampa, FL 33607Office: (813) 554-8155 ext. 5Fax: (813) 554-8520leslie.holley@baycare.org