Child Life Externship

About the role

This paid educational Child Life Externship is a structured clinical training position designed to meet the clinical training requirements for Child Life Certification eligibility. It provides intensive, supervised practice in delivering psychosocial care to infants, children, adolescents, and families in healthcare settings. Under the supervision of Certified Child Life Specialists, the extern progressively develops competency in assessment, preparation and education, intervention, documentation, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration through direct patient and family interactions. Upon successful completion, participants will have demonstrated the foundational knowledge and clinical skills necessary for entry-level child life practice.

Responsibilities

• Conduct developmental and psychosocial assessments of pediatric patients and families.
• Develop and implement individualized child life interventions based on assessed needs.
• Provide preparation, education, and coping support for medical procedures and hospital experiences.
• Facilitate therapeutic, developmental, and medical play opportunities.
• Support children and families during procedures and other stressful healthcare experiences.
• Promote positive coping, resilience, and adjustment to illness, injury, hospitalization, and treatment.
• Provide sibling, family, and bereavement support as appropriate.
• Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with departmental and organizational standards.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Actively participate in Child Life staff meetings, in-services, interdisciplinary opportunities, and relevant departmental educational experiences.
• Complete assigned readings, presentations, and other educational requirements.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply child development and family systems theories within healthcare settings.
• Utilize evidence-based child life interventions.
• Assess psychosocial risk factors and coping needs.
• Implement developmentally appropriate preparation and procedural support.
• Demonstrate effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Integrate patient- and family-centered care principles in clinical practice.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies necessary to function as a Child Life Specialist.

Requirements

• Completed ACLP Internship Common Application and all required application materials, including the ACLP Eligibility Assessment and unofficial transcripts.
• Enrollment in or completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program that meets Child Life Certification requirements. Applicants must be a college senior, graduate student, or college graduate.
• Successful completion of ACLP internship eligibility requirements. Applicants with coursework in progress are eligible to apply provided their transcripts verify enrollment. A completed ACLP Eligibility Assessment is required before the externship start date.
• Experience working with children through paid or volunteer roles in both healthcare and non-healthcare environments.

Physical Demands

• Ability to navigate patient care environments throughout the hospital.
• Ability to interact with patients and families in a variety of clinical settings.
• Ability to lift, carry, and transport activity materials and supplies as needed.
• Compliance with all hospital safety, confidentiality, infection prevention, and patient care requirements.

Pay

$18.50 per hour.

Schedule

This temporary role is not to exceed 600 hours. Work schedules and total hours may vary based on program requirements, departmental needs, and the educational objectives of the externship experience.

About the Organization

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. The 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. UVA Health is one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named the best children's hospital in Virginia, with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. The health system’s footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.