Internship

Thank you for your interest in an internship in Child Life. The Child Life Program provides direct patient contact to approximately 70 inpatient pediatric beds. (The NICU only receives Child Life services as requested.) Child Life services are also provided in the Pediatric Outpatient clinics, Radiology and the Emergency Department.

We offer a full-time 40 hour per week, 15 week internship experience during the spring and fall. Interns may have the opportunity to rotate in the following areas: Medical/Surgical, Hematology/Oncology, Pediatric Intensive Care/Intermediate Care, Radiology and Emergency Department. 

Application Guidelines

The Child Life Program accepts individuals who are the best prepared for a Child Life internship and who have a desire to gain certification and employment in this field. An internship in this health care setting will provide the senior undergraduate or graduate student with practical and intense Child Life experience.

Internship placements at this health care setting offer no stipend and do not guarantee future employment at the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.  Completion of the internship will provide the experience required to apply for Child Life Certification and to enter a competitive job market.

For further information about a career in Child Life and certification contact:  
Child Life Council, Inc.
11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 202
Rockville, MD 20852-2529
www.childlife.org

 

Requirements for Internship Applicants

To be considered for the internship, the following criteria must be met: 

1.    Senior college level student, graduate student or a non-affiliated applicant  with or in pursuit of  or acquired a degree in one of the following fields:
o    Child Life
o    Child/Family/Human Development 
o    Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Behavioral or Child Psychology, Recreational Therapy, and Music Therapy may also be considered if appropriate course work has been completed.
NOTE: Non-affiliated applicants are required to sign a "Letter of Agreement" and purchase liability insurance.
2.   Verification of Liability Insurance may be required; please check with your school regarding liability coverage
3.    Minimum GPA 3.0
4.    One hundred hours of volunteer experience with children in the hospital setting
5.    One hundred hours of volunteer or work experience with children in other settings such as day care, summer camps, etc.
***Volunteer hours must be completed by time of application***
 
For additional information or questions regarding the application process please contact the Child Life Internship Coordinator.

 

Application Process

1. Common Child Life Internship Application 

Note: Application must be typed and must include the official Child Life Council Coursework review and transcript

 

2. Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital Supplemental Application

 

3. Verification of volunteer hours in a hospital setting

4. Resume

5. Two reference letters

References should be written paragraph style addressing your knowledge and skills relating to your work with children and professionals.
 - 1 recommendation from an academic instructor
 - 1 recommendation from a supervisor who has directly observed your work with children in a hospital setting

Mail all application materials in one packet to address:

Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital
Child Life Internship Program, MC H077
500 University Dr
PO Box 850
Hershey PA 17033 

Internship Offer and Acceptance Dates

 Anticipated Start Date

 Application Packet
 Must Be Received  by:

 Initial Offer Dates

 Acceptance Dates
 January September 5

 October

 Second Tuesday

 October

Second Wednesday

 September May 5

 June

Second Tuesday

 June

Second Wednesday