A child life internship is the final step in the process of working toward certification as a child life specialist. The internship at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is full-time for 16 weeks; a total of 640 hours.
The internship program consists of three clinical rotations. The level of responsibility progresses gradually from initially observing to ultimately providing services independently. In addition to the clinical experiences, interns will utilize the Child Life Clinical Internship Curriculum to complete weekly readings, assignments, projects, and observations that will prepare them for the child life certification exam.
UI Dance Marathon Child Life Fellowship
The Child Life Program at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is pleased to offer a fellowship opportunity to qualified candidates seeking experience with pediatric hematology-oncology patients.
The University of Iowa Dance Marathon Child Life Fellowship offers an advanced learning, entry-level child life experience to a college graduate who has completed a minimum 600-hour Child Life internship and/or who is currently a Certified Child Life Specialist. The fellowship will start in the fall of 2022.
The fellowship provides a stipend plus employee health and dental insurance for a full-time, 12-month placement. Hands-on clinical experience, training, and supervision are provided as part of the fellowship experience.
UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital has been dedicated to meeting the health care needs of children and families since 1919. As Iowa’s only comprehensive children’s hospital, we provide care for children from birth to young adulthood. Services range from promoting wellness to the care of general childhood illnesses, traumatic injuries, life-threatening and chronic illnesses, and developmental disabilities. As part of an academic medical center, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital also performs groundbreaking research to help solve the mysteries of childhood diseases in addition to training the next generation of health care professionals.
Minimum requirements for the clinical fellowship
- A bachelors’ degree in child life or related field
- Meet current eligibility requirement to sit for child life certification exam
Applications
Application closes May 2, 2022.
Download UI Dance Marathon Child Life Fellowship application
How to contact us
Taylor Turben-Fuhrman, MS, CCLS
UI Dance Marathon Child Life Specialist | Children’s and Women’s Services
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital (SFCH)
University of Iowa Health Care
200 Hawkins Drive, 112308 SFCH
Iowa City, IA 52242
Voalte ext. 79507
For more information please email taylor-turben@uiowa.edu or call 1-319-678-5377.
Child Life Internship Application Process
Objectives
By the end of the internship the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of human growth and development from birth to young adults.
- Understand the effects of stress and trauma on children’s behavior and development.
- Become acquainted with the needs of hospitalized children and to recognize creative and flexible programming in meeting these needs.
- Demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions.
- Develop an understanding of Family-Centered Care.
- Work effectively with patients, families, and staff members.
- Provide preparation and procedural support for a variety of medical procedures.
- Transition from student to professional.
Application Requirements
- University affiliation throughout internship
- Earned a cumulative minimum 3.0 grade point average in all college coursework
- Prospective interns should download the ACLP Common Application and submit the completed application to as well as:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Transcript
- Three recommendations using the ACLP Recommendation Form
*Email applications and supporting documents to ChildLifeInternship@healthcare.uiowa.edu.
Once the application packet has been received and reviewed, phone interviews will be scheduled with selected candidates. Final candidates will then be selected for a video interview via Zoom. All final interviews will be conducted via video call, regardless of candidates’ distance to the Iowa City area.
The application process and deadlines will follow guidelines established by the Association of Child Life Professionals.