NWH Child Life Internship

Overview

The Child Life Internship offers candidates an environment rich in experience and support that will prepare them for the career ahead. Primary rotations can include the inpatient pediatric unit, the emergency department and the perioperative setting. These primary rotations are supplemented by inclusion in our work with patients admitted for mental health concerns, consults for bereavement and disability support, and work with our facility dog. The majority of the internship happens during weekdays, however some flexibility of schedule is requested in order to provide optimal learning in each rotation.

Our team believes that internships are a mutual learning experience – students and supervisors learning from each other. We look for candidates who are flexible, engaged, and willing to make – and learn from – mistakes, and we strive as supervisors to model the same qualities for you.

Opportunities for Advancement

We are focused on recruiting the most talented and qualified staff that represent the communities we serve, and expanding access to opportunities for advancement. We are open to different formats of internship including nights/weekends and full-year/part-time pathways. We also encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to pursue the ACLP Diversity Scholarships offered each internship session. Please connect with Kristy Berksza by calling 617-243-5691 or by email.

How to Apply

Newton-Wellesley Hospital offers both child life internships and child life practicum experiences. The process for each will be listed in each section below.

OF NOTE:

• The spring internship is reserved for applicants from Boston University only.
• Our practicum experience is offered in the early summertime.
• For our fall internship, we accept all applicants – those affiliated with an academic institution and those applying independently.
• We DO NOT require a practicum prior to applying for our internship.

Timing

Internship: The NWH Child Life internship program follows the ACLP’s recommended internship application deadlines. Offers will also be made aligned with these deadlines.

Practicum: Applications are accepted from January 1 through February 1 each year and offers will be made by March 15.

Process

Internship: Only the ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application, will be accepted. Applicants should read the ACLP documents about Internship Readiness Knowledge, Skills, and Application and Language Associated with the Internship Readiness Common Application prior to beginning their application. An Internship Readiness Common Application Guide is also available for review. Further resources are found here.

Practicum: We have developed a practicum application to mirror the ACLP internship readiness common application. This both allows us to better understand an applicant’s experiences and readiness for practicum, as well as reduce bias in the application process. It also allows applicants to get some practice applying in the same format used for internship applications. When ready, applicants can download and complete the NWH Practicum Application.

Both: Completed applications should be submitted in pdf format as an email attachment to our internship coordinator Kristy Berksza. No other documentation (cover letters, resumes, etc.) will be reviewed.  A confirmation email will be sent to confirm receipt of your application.