Child Life Internship & Fellowship

The Child Life Intern is responsible for supervised involvement in the planning and implementation of developmentally and psychosocially supportive programming for children and adolescents. Services will be provided in both the inpatient and outpatient areas of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in a rotation schedule designed by the intern and his/her supervisor.

The intern will be expected to incorporate play, emotional support, healthcare education, and family involvement in order to enhance the optimum development during the healthcare experience. Social, emotional, intellectual and physical well-being of children and families will be addressed by the intern with supportive daily supervision, training and evaluation by certified child life specialists and other members of the multidisciplinary medical team.

The ongoing guidance and evaluation will enable the intern to:

• Provide meaningful therapeutic interventions and activities
• Assist children and families in their adjustment to the healthcare setting
• Share observations, experiences, and assessments with his/her on-site supervisor
• Develop assessment skills and intervention strategies
• Participate in multidisciplinary team approach to family centered care

• Inpatient/outpatient rotations
• Participation in monthly child life staff meetings
• Record daily intern journal entries
• Participate in assigned readings and discussion through weekly Journal Club
• Clinical training experience - Interns will have the opportunity to observe, shadow, and implement therapeutic interventions on different units in a rotation schedule
• Two patient case studies are required during the course of the internship
• Attend clinical skills and seminars throughout the course of the internship to enhance hands-on understanding and multidisciplinary learning
• On-going self-evaluation including: reflection, weekly meetings and feedback by rotation supervisor and internship coordinator
• Develop, implement and assess an approved project
• Perform at least two site visits to other child life programs
• Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a certified child life specialist

• Relevant coursework as deemed by the ACLP Eligibility Assessment Report
  • In-progress courses are accepted as long as they will be complete prior to the internship start date
  • A course taught by a child life specialist is required
• Experience working with well infants, children, and/or teens
• We accept both affiliated and non-affiliated applicants

We follow the ACLP guidelines for offer and acceptance dates. Please visit the Association of Child Life Professionals website for application deadlines.

If selected for an internship, official transcript will be required.

Apply Online

You will need to email [email protected], the ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application. We do not require recommendation letters, but you will be asked for references if selected for an interview.

Applications should include the following documents

1. ACLP Common Application
2. ACLP Eligibility Assessment
3. Unofficial Transcripts

Department Fellowship Requirements:

1. Successfully complete assigned rotations per supervisor evaluation.
2. Attend Internship Seminars.
3. Attend and co-present at 2 intern clinical skills sessions.
4. Attend an average of 2 Health System presentations a month. This may include Grand Rounds, Grief Rounds, Brown Bags lunches, Schwartz Rounds and various other education opportunities approved by your supervisor.
5. Complete 1 literature review.
6. Complete 1 mock conference abstract submission.
7. Attend 1 school-reentry visit.
8. Present 2 staff education sessions specific to techniques, skills or knowledge that will enhance understanding or contributions to patient care.
9. Attend one external donor related event.
10. Visit 3 other Child Life Programs.

1. The fellowship provides a salary for a full-time (40 hours per week), 12-month placement. Hands on clinical experience, training, education, and supervision are provided as part of the fellowship experience.
2. The child life specialist fellowship will have concentrated clinical rotations on units determined by departmental need. Clinical work will focus on the needs of pediatric patients and families specific to diagnosis education, procedure support, therapeutic play, bereavement, parent/sibling support, and advocacy, along with other child life interventions. Clinical rotations may include units that currently have at least one dedicated CCLS. These areas include: Children’s Emergency Services, Radiology, MRI, Blood Draw, outpatient clinics (float position), surgery, NICU, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, PICU, Radiation/Oncology, Cardiology Clinic, Infusion Clinic, inpatient oncology, inpatient cardiology and general inpatient units. The fellowship schedule will vary and may include weekend and evening hours.
3. The 40-hour work week will include (may vary depending on the week):
   • 35 hours - clinical/direct work with children and planning for this work
   • 1 hour in-service education
   • 1 hour direct supervision or mentorship
   • 1 medical or psychosocial rounds
   • 1 hour journal or article review
   • 1 hour Child and Family Life/Mott committee meetings
4. The fellowship will provide the following:
   • Experience in several areas of the hospital.
   • Clinical experience with children of a variety of developmental levels. This will include both acute and chronically ill patients and their families.
   • Participation as a member of the health care team and in psychosocial meetings and rounds.
   • Work with families from diverse backgrounds.
   • Supervision and teaching experience through time spent with both volunteers and students.
5. Skills that are developed and focused on during the fellowship include:
   • Documentation
   • Assessment of development, understanding, and coping
   • Preparation of children for hospitalization and procedures
   • Communication skills
   • Advocating for the role of the CCLS, the patient, and the family
   • Professional presentation skills
6. This child life specialist fellowship at C.S. Mott is geared to individuals who:
   • Have completed a child life specific internship
   • Are certified or eligible to sit for the certification exam
   • Desire experience with a variety of ages, developmental levels, and diagnoses in a high acuity setting
   • Seek further career development in the child life

1. Monthly stipend
2. Medical insurance (at cost)
3. Educational materials
4. Conference funding
5. 15 paid days off for the year (inclusive of vacation and sick time)

To apply for the Child and Family Life CCLS Fellowship, please mail the following required materials together in one package: a completed application, a current resume or CV, three letters of recommendation, proof of completed child life internship (or a letter from your current program supervisor if you’re finishing an internship), and a letter of intent. 

In your letter of intent, highlight the unique skills or qualifications that distinguish you from other candidates and discuss the clinical and professional growth areas you wish to develop during the fellowship. 

For any inquiries, contact Lauren Thomas at 734 936-8495 or [email protected].