Thank you for your interest in our Child Life Internship Program at Levine Children's Hospital. On this page you will find information about our program and all of the necessary information needed to apply. If you wish to apply, please send the required information according to the time schedule printed in the packet. Please do not hesitate to contact Heather with any questions you may have.

Heather Silva, CCLS

Child Life Internship Coordinator

(704) 381-2260

Email: Heather.Silva@carolinashealthcare.org

Click here to download a PDF version of this application 

Please download and print a copy of the Student Affiliation Agreement

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Levine Children's Hospital Child Life Department Internship Application Information

Important Dates

Session	Application Deadline	Offer Deadline	Acceptance Deadline
Fall	May 5th	June 22nd	June 28th
Winter/ Spring	September 5th	October 22nd	October 28th
Summer	January 5th	February 22nd	February 28th

 *Please note, if one of the above dates fall on a holiday or weekend, the deadline will be the following business day.

 Admission Requirements

• Must be receiving academic credit for the internship from a college or university who has a student affiliation agreement with Carolinas HealthCare System (Please read information concerning Student Affiliation Agreement).
• 50 hours of clinical experience in a pediatric healthcare setting must be completed prior to application deadline (*clinical experience is defined as direct patient interaction*)
• Coursework required by the Child Life Council
• Provide immunization records
• Participate in a drug screening, TB test and background check provided through your college or university. Results to be sent to Child Life Coordinator for Department Records, one month prior to start of internship
• Be available for interview either in person (preferred) or via telephone
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in related coursework

Application Documents

Please submit the following in one envelope

• Resume
• List of coursework required by Child Life Council Eligibility Requirements (note: if coursework is yet to be taken, please list which course and when it will be taken). Please list the name of the school that you will be receiving academic credit from during your internship.
• Essays 
• 3 Professional References in a sealed envelope. (Please include references from any practicum supervisor that you may have had)
• All official transcripts
• A letter stating proof of clinical healthcare experience hours

Please submit these forms together to:

Child Life Department

Attn: Heather Silva, CCLS

Child Life Internship Coordinator

P.O. Box 32861

Charlotte, North Carolina 28232-2681

Written Essay  

On a separate sheet, please type answers to the following questions:

• What is your philosophy of Child Life and what interests you about the profession?
• Describe your experiences with children.
• Describe your experience in a healthcare setting.
• What are your goals and objectives for a Child Life Internship?
• Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

Child Life Intership Objectives

• To gain a broader understanding and perspective of the Child Life Profession.
• To develop a professional attitude, maturity, and judgment within the realm of providing Child Life services
• To gain basic knowledge of the organization and administration of a Child Life Department.
• To become independent and self-sufficient as a Child Life Specialist.
• To develop an understanding of a team effort in effecting positive experiences for hospitalized children and their families.
• To develop an understanding of other disciplines and function as a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• To be able to assess the needs of hospitalized children and their families and recognize creative and flexible interventions.
• To develop effective communication skills.
• To learn how to prepare patients and families for procedures and surgical interventions in child friendly terms; to provide education in a non-threatening manner.
• To be able to plan, organize, coordinate, implement, and evaluate activities, special visitors, and/or group functions.
• To understand the concept of family centered care and the role Child Life plays in its implementation.
• To have a strong working knowledge of medical terminology.
• To increase the hospital staff and publics' knowledge of the philosophy, goals, and programs of the Child Life Department.
• To be confident and gain experience in patient advocacy.
• To bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Child Life General Information

The Child Life Department has been a part of Carolinas Medical Center since 1977. In December, 2007, we made the exciting, and long anticipated, transition to the new Levine Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center. It is an extraordinary facility whose main focus is to provide excellent family centered care. We believe this is achieved by hiring healthcare professionals who are highly skilled and trained to work with the pediatric population and by encouraging the presence of Child Life Specialists throughout the hospital. The Child Life Department has over 30 staff members and is comprised of the following:

• Child Life Coordinator
• Child Life Specialists/Education Specialist
• Child Life Assistants
• Music Therapist

The areas in which we provide services are as follows:

• Children's Emergency Department
• One Day Surgery
• Radiology
• Levine Children's Specialty Center (out-patient clinic for various chronic illnesses)
• Levine Children's Hematology/Oncology Clinic
• Pre-Operational/Post Anesthesia Care Unit
• Neonatal Intensive Care/Progressive Care Nurseries
• Progressive Renal/Cardiac/Neurology
• Infant/Toddler/Preschool
• School Age Medical/Surgical/Orthopedic
• Adolescents Oncology/Hematology
• Off Service Units (referrals for adult patients) 
•  Child Life Educator who specializes in school re-entry and educational plans.

Our Child Life Internship Program is a 15 week, 600 hour placement. During the internship, an intern will have two rotations: one inpatient and one outpatient. With the guidance of the Child Life Coordinator and the Child Life Internship Coordinator, the intern will be able to choose the areas they would like to experience during their internship. Rotation options are given during the first two weeks of the internship.

 Housing

• Housing is not provided by the hospital to the Child Life interns. The Child Life Department can make recommendations on housing in the Charlotte area if needed.

 Uniforms

• Polo type shirts (collar with a few buttons) in solid colors with khaki style or scrub pants in colors of black, navy, or khaki may be worn. Shoes must be closed toes and have a covered heel. Tennis shoes are fine to wear but can not be made of any type of cloth or mesh material.

Required Readings:

Interns are required to read the following books prior to beginning their internship. As an intern, you will be required to have access to these books. They may be purchased through the Child Life Council.

• Child Life in Hospital: Theory and Practice
  • By Thompson and Stanford. (1981)
• Psychosocial Care of Children in Hospital: A Clinical Practice Manual
  • By L. Gaynard, et al. (1990)