You can gain valuable experience through our child life internship
A child life internship is the final step in the process of working toward certification as a child life specialist. The Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital internship program, accredited by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), is offered once a year in the fall semester. Internship positions at Hemby Children’s Hospital are full time (40 hours/week) for 16 weeks.
The internship program consists of two clinical rotations, in which interns spend six weeks each and work to become an integral member of the multidisciplinary team. The level of responsibility progresses from observing to providing services independently. In addition to clinical experiences, interns are provided with learning opportunities geared toward applying theory to practice, encouraging a reflective approach to child life practice, and preparing interns for the child life certification exam.
Schedule
Internship is 640 hours (16 weeks) of clinical experience.
- 1 Week: Orientation
- 6 Weeks: Rotation One
- 3 Weeks: Mini Rotations
- 6 Weeks: Rotation Two
Eligibility requirements
To become an intern, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Internship students must be college seniors or college graduates with a strong background in child development or a closely related field. Bachelor’s or master’s level academic preparations are accepted.
- Applicants must complete the Association of Child Life Professionals course review through Eligibility Assessment and have documented verification of a minimum of 10 approved courses.
- Applicants must have at least 100 hours of volunteer or work experience with children individually or in group settings (e.g., camp, daycare, developmental center).
- Applicants must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer or practicum experience working under the direct supervision of a child life specialist in a healthcare setting.
- Affiliation with a University when applying for the internship; must remain affiliated while completing an internship at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital.
Application process
Novant Health Hemby Children’s hospital follows the Association of Child Life Professional’s offer and acceptance guidelines as indicated below.
| Internship Session
|
Application Deadlines
|
Initial Offer Dates
|
Acceptance
Dates
|
2nd Offer
Dates
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| Fall 2023
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March 15, 2023
|
May 2, 2023
|
May 3, 2023
|
May 4, 2023
|
Application Checklist
Please include the following items in your internship application packet
- Internship Readiness Common Application
- Submission of three references, one must be completed by a practicum or hospital volunteer supervisor who has directly observed you and your interactions with children and families. One should be completed by an academic supervisor. The final form can be completed by an individual chosen by applicant but must be someone who has directly observed you working with children. No recommendations from friends or family will be considered.
Application Information
Applicants should apply through the Association of Child Life Professional’s Internship Readiness Common Application process. To learn more about this process, please read the Internship Readiness Common Application Guide.
Please mail the application to:
Child Life Department
Attention: Internship Committee
Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital
200 Hawthorne Lane
Charlotte, NC 28204
All applications must be postmarked by the application deadline.
Apply here
For questions or concerns, please contact Megan Arleth at [email protected] or the Association of Child Life Professionals.