MGHfC Child Life Internship Information

Criteria to be considered for Internship Placement:

  • Eligible candidates MUST be enrolled in a graduate level child life program at the time of internship application and completion.
  • Eligible candidates must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of child life volunteer and/or practicum experience under the supervision of a certified child life specialist.
  • Eligible candidates looking to pursue a 200, 400 or 480 hour internship experience should apply.
  • Eligible candidates must have a current GPA of 3.5 or greater.

Potential Areas for Internship Placement:

During a child life internship experience here at MGHfC, each student will spend time working with a certified child life specialist. There will be opportunities for observing and assessing play, engaging in preoperative teaching, observing medical procedures, participating in team meetings, organizing special events, and developing and fostering relationships with patients, families and staff. Based on supervisor availability and intern’s goals we offer internship experiences in the following areas:

  • Emergency Department
  • Endoscopy (GI Procedural Unit)
  • Inpatient Units: Infant/Preschool/Early-School Age - OR - Late School-Age/Adolescent
  • Pediatric Imaging (Radiology)
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
  • Pediatric Surgical Services

Overview of Internship Expectations:

Short Term Goals:

  • Establishing three specific goals and objectives to accomplish during the internship
  • Daily journal
  • Design and implement daily activities
  • Attendance and participation in informal and formal interdisciplinary rounds

Long Term Goals:

  • Presentation of a case study or a medical teaching
  • Development of a final project to be left and utilized by MGHfC
  • Facilitating take over week

Additional requirements may be required based on specific area placement.

Application and Interviewing Information:

Application will be considered for review upon the completion of the following:

  • Completed MGHfC child life internship application form (We DO NOT accept the child life common application, please do not submit this with your application.)
  • Current resume
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
  • Three reference letters, two of which should come from someone who has observed you working with children (references may be contacted by the child life team)

Please submit a completed MGHfC child life application and the additionalmaterials listed above in a single envelope to:

MassGeneral Hospital for Children

Child Life Department - Ellison 18

55 Fruit Street

Boston, MA 02114

Attention: Anne Pizzano, MS, CCLS

Application submissions must be received or post marked by the Child Life Council’s established submission deadline. Please refer directly to the Child Life Councils website for submission deadline dates as well as offer and acceptance deadlines.

Please note all required application materials must accompany your application packet in order for it to be considered complete and reviewed. You will be notified by email once your application has been received. After your application has been reviewed, applicants that meet criteria will be notified by phone to schedule an interview. An onsite interview is required by all candidates. Interviews will be determined based on candidate eligibility.

Please email additional questions to: