Dear Prospective Intern, Thank you for your interest in the Child Life Internship Program at Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield. Our program is designed for senior level students from the fields of Child Life, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, or related fields of study who are pursuing Child Life certification. Individuals who are not currently enrolled in a university or college but who hold at least a B.A. or B.S. in one of the above listed fields are also eligible to apply. Internship candidates must have a hospital-based practicum completed prior to the internship at Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield. Internships are offered two times a year (fall and winter/spring). Each intern shall complete a minimum of 500 hours of clinical based work under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. The Child Life Internship at Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield provides hands-on learning opportunities while providing a working knowledge of the theories and research on which the Child Life profession is based. Intern responsibilities include writing daily journals, learning to prepare pediatric patients and their families for medical procedures and surgeries, charting on Child Life interventions, supervising playroom sessions, and completing a final project to benefit the patients in the Children’s Hospital. Interns are required to work various shifts including days, evenings, and weekends. Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield consists of a twenty-eight bed pediatric floor, eight bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Pediatric Outpatient Services (POPS), and the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic. Child Life also consults to other units throughout the hospital when referrals are received. The graph below indicates application, offer, and acceptance deadlines.* Internship Session Application Deadlines Initial Offer Deadline Initial Acceptance Deadline Fall March 15 1st Tuesday of May Following Wednesday Winter/Spring September 5 2nd Tuesday of October Following Wednesday *In cases where deadline falls on a U.S. national holiday, the recommended offer and acceptance dates will be adjusted to the following day. A completed application consists of the following: 1. Child Life Common Internship Application 2. Official transcripts 3. Three letters of reference** 4. Your resume 5. Completed supplemental questions and material found below 6. The University’s objectives for the internship (if completing for course credit) **Please note that letters of reference must be returned in a sealed envelope and should be completed by any of the following: a college/academic professor, a professional who can speak to your work quality/ethic, a Child Life Specialist with whom you have worked while volunteering or completing a practicum. Completed applications should be mailed to the following address: Child Life Department – 1H Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield 1235 East Cherokee Street Springfield, MO 65804 Thank you again for your interest in the Child Life Internship at Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield. After intern applications are reviewed and interviews are completed, a selection will be made. Please contact us at 417-820-3457 or cristin.herbort@mercy.net if you have any questions. Thank you, Mercy Children’s Hospital Child Life Department Supplemental Questions and Material Please answer the following questions completely on another sheet of paper. 1. How did you learn about the Child Life program at Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield? 2. How have your hospital or health care setting experiences affected your attitude towards them? 3. What do you think “family-centered care” is and why is it important? 4. What are your goals and objectives for this internship? 5. What is your personal Child Life philosophy (in 500 words or less)? Additional Information Do you have relatives or friends currently employed with Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield? No Yes Name If yes, please list name and relationship: Relationship I certify that I have read, personally completed, and fully comprehend this form, and the information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that should any of the information I have provided prove false or misleading, my application may be rejected or I may be discharged immediately from my internship placement at Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield. I also agree to comply with all hospital policies and procedures. Signature of Applicant Date Please Return Competed Application and Materials To: Child Life Department – 6K Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield 1235 East Cherokee Street Springfield, MO 65804