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Child life specialists are trained professionals who help children and their families overcome the fear an anxiety kids can suffer from being in the hospital. According to the Child Life Council, specialists "promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization." Learn more about the child life profession.
To become a Child Life Specialist, one must complete a Bachelors degree in Child Development or a related field, a 480 hour internship and pass the certification exam. The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis does not have an internship program at this time. However, we do offer a child life practicum program.
Practicum programs are intended to introduce the undergraduate student to child life, as well as the variety of experiences facing children and adolescents in a healthcare setting. The benefits to the student are opportunities to observe hospitalized children and youth, increased comfort with hospital environment, increased practical knowledge of child life and access to in-service training. A certified child life specialist (CCLS) will supervise the student during the practicum.
Practicum students must have completed core curriculum, including child development course work. This type of practicum experience is highly recommended for those students who are considering a career as a child life specialist. Practicum students must complete 100 hours within a 12-week span.
Application deadlines are as follows:
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Training Dates
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Application Deadline
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May-August |
April 1st |
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September-December |
July 1st |
Application for practicum requires submission of a completed practicum application and agreement as well as an on-site interview. A completed application is not a guarantee of acceptance. In order for us to provide students with quality supervision and education during placement, only a limited number of students are accepted per semester.
Should you have any further questions please call the Child Life Department at 918-502-6333 or email childlifedept@saintfrancis.com.
Child Life Practicum Program- General Information
Child Life Practicum Application
Child Life Practicum Agreement
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