Child Life Internship
Child Life specialists are part of the health care team and are trained to understand and meet the unique needs of children in the hospital. Child Life specialists have special training and experience in understanding children's reactions to illness and being in the hospital. They use these skills to encourage emotional well-being and normal development while your child is in the hospital.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital is committed to providing a quality learning experience to students by offering a 16-week, 640-hour internship which provides a clinical experience to develop professional skills in preparation for a career in child life.
The internship facilitates the student’s growth as a professional by participating as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Interns will gain an understanding of the impact of hospitalization on the emotional and developmental needs of children by working with patients who are hospitalized for a variety of acute and chronic diagnoses.
Interns will have the opportunity to develop skills in assessment, procedural support and teaching, developmental play, documentation and family support.
Wolfson Children's Hospital clinical internship experience is accredited by the Association of Child Life Professionals. We follow the ACLP’s recommended deadlines and accept intern applications for spring, summer and fall semesters.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital is committed to providing a quality learning experience to students by offering a 16-week, 640-hour internship which provides a clinical experience to develop professional skills in preparation for a career in child life.
Internship Session Schedule
Winter/Spring 2025
- Eligibility assessment must arrive at the ACLP Office - August 21, 2024
- Application Deadline - September 6, 2024
- Initial Offer Date - October 8, 2024
- Acceptance Date - October 9, 2024
Summer 2025
- Eligibility assessment must arrive at the ACLP Office - December 13, 2024
- Application Deadline - January 3, 2025
- Initial Offer Date - February 11, 2025
- Acceptance Date - February 12, 2025
Fall 2025
- Eligibility assessment must arrive at the ACLP Office - February 25, 2025
- Application Deadline - March 24, 2025
- Initial Offer Date - May 6, 2025
- Acceptance Date - May 7, 2025
Winter/Spring 2026
- Eligibility assessment must arrive at the ACLP Office - August 20, 2025
- Application Deadline - September 5, 2025
- Initial Offer Date - October 7, 2025
- Acceptance Date - October 8, 2025
Requirements
To be considered for an internship, the following requirements must be met:
- University-affiliated*
- CPR certification
- Level 1 background check
Application Process
The application packet must include:
- Internship Readiness Common Application
- Completed official Level 1 background check from the state data base
(don’t run your own report on the Internet) - Copy of CPR certification (including infant/child) issued by the
American Heart Association or the American Red Cross
Email application packet to: childlifeinternship@bmcjax.com
Please include the requested attachments stated above along with your first and last name, your school affiliation, and the term you are applying for in the body of the email.
Interview Process
The intern coordinator will contact top candidates to schedule a phone interview following the application deadline. Select candidates will be invited to interview in person. For additional information, please contact the Internship Coordinator at childlifeinternship@bmcjax.com or 904.202.8541.
University Affiliation
Below is a list of our current university affiliations. If a candidate is affiliated with a university that is not listed below, they may still apply for an internship. If the candidate is selected and offered an internship, an affiliation may be established following acceptance. An affiliation agreement, however, is not guaranteed based on university and hospital policies.
- Auburn University
- College of Charleston
- Florida State University
- Georgia Southern University
- Iowa State University
- Louisiana Tech University
- Ohio University
- Samford University
- University of Alabama
- University of North Florida
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Vanderbilt University
Child Life Practicum
The child life practicum at Wolfson Children's Hospital is designed as an introductory experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career in child life. Through experiential learning and observation of Certified Child Life Specialists, practicum students begin to increase their knowledge of basic child life skills related to play, developmental assessment and integration of child life theory into interventions.
Practicum students will increase their comfort level by interacting with children and families in the hospital setting. Through these experiences, practicum students will enhance their knowledge of the child life profession and investigate the process of applying child life and developmental theory to practice.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital accepts practicum students during the summer semester. After completion of a summer practicum, students will have completed 160 hours.
University Affiliation
Below is a list of our current university affiliations. If a candidate is affiliated with a university that is not listed below, they may still apply for a practicum. If the candidate is selected and offered a practicum, an affiliation may be established following acceptance. An affiliation agreement, however, is not guaranteed based on university and hospital policies.
- Auburn University
- College of Charleston
- Florida State University
- Georgia Southern University
- Iowa State University
- Louisiana Tech University
- Ohio University
- Samford University
- University of Alabama
- University of North Florida
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Vanderbilt University
Download the Child Life Practicum application here. For questions related to practicum please email childlifeinternship@bmcjax.com or call 904.202.8548.
Child Life Volunteers
If you are interested in becoming a child life volunteer, please reach out to child.life@bmcjax.com with your name, phone number, email address and interest. A pre-screening phone questionnaire and a minimum of a 6+ month commitment is required.