Child Life Internship Program

If you are interested in learning more about the field of Child Life, we would encourage you to visit the ACLP website to gain a better understanding prior to applying.

Internships are open to bachelor's or master's-level students currently enrolled in a program with a focus on becoming a Child Life Specialist. Our program operates on a three-semester calendar cycle. To apply for our internship, students must submit their application in accordance with the recommended application and offer dates of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). Please refer to the Internship Deadlines for each semester.

For legal compliance, applicants must be enrolled in an academic program at the time of application and must maintain this affiliation throughout the duration of the internship. A letter from the applicant's academic advisor confirming their enrollment is required. Applications submitted by individuals not currently affiliated with an academic institution will not be considered.

UPMC Children’s internship program is highly competitive and has a limited number of positions available; therefore, we cannot guarantee an interview or placement. Qualified candidates will be interviewed following a thorough review of their applications. For any inquiries or further information, please contact the designated individuals.

Lindsay Bromberg, MS, CCLS, CIMI
Child Life Internship Coordinator
412-864-8140
Email: ChildLifeInternship@upmc.edu

Mike Shulock, MS, CCLS
Internship Coordination Team Member
412-692-6100
Email: ChildLifeInternship@upmc.edu

Lauryn Rozum, MS, CCLS
Internship Coordination Team Member
412-864-7271
Email: ChildLifeInternship@upmc.edu

Student placements in child life are closely monitored by Certified Child Life Specialists who adhere to ACLP guidelines and utilize the ACLP Clinical Internship Curriculum. To ensure that students receive a comprehensive learning experience, regular supervision meetings are held, and interns are granted access to a range of professional in-service programs. Attendance at lectures, seminars, rounds, conferences, and other pertinent meetings is essential. Throughout the internship, multiple assignments and projects are required. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the certification exam, which fulfills the Child Life Certifying Committee's requirements.

Our internship program provides valuable experience, though it is an unpaid opportunity. Students will complete two rotations, each lasting eight weeks. They are expected to work 40 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks, with schedules based on their assigned clinical rotation supervisor. This may involve working 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts, including weekends.

Please note that submitting an application to our program does not guarantee you an interview.

Required components of your application:

1. ACLP Internship Readiness Application.
2. A current, unofficial transcript from your current college or university demonstrating a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Do not send transcripts from schools you are no longer attending.
3. ACLP Eligibility Assessment Report: In-progress coursework will be considered; however, we require confirmation of successful completion by the first day of internship.
4. ACLP Internship Readiness Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: We accept paid and unpaid experiences within and outside of healthcare settings as relevant opportunities for applicants to develop and demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) for internship readiness. We strongly encourage applicants have a minimum of 100 hours of experience in the healthcare setting. 
5. A letter from your academic supervisor proving your affiliation to your college/university for the duration of the internship session.
   Please refer to this sample letter.

To avoid any complications, ensure that you include all five essential components in one email when submitting your application. Please refrain from sending additional documents. Remember that incomplete applications will not be reconsidered, so be sure to review everything carefully before clicking send.

Email your application as a PDF to the following email address: ChildLifeInternship@upmc.edu.

The following are prerequisites after acceptance into the program and are to be completed before the first day:

1. Required readings PRIOR to the start of the internship:
• Bolig, Rosemary., Mahan, Carmel., Rollins, Judy. (2017). Meeting Children's Psychosocial Needs Across the Health-Care Continuum (2nd ed.), Pro-ed, Austin, TX
• Thompson, Richard. (2018). The Handbook of Child Life, A Guide for Pediatric Psychosocial Care (2nd ed.), Charles C. Thomas, Publisher. Springfield, IL.
2. A signed master agreement for internship participation between UPMC and college/university.
3. An advisor's plan for communicating with the Child Life Internship Coordinators during the internship period, i.e. observations, conferences, correspondence.
4. Documentation of valid CPR certification by the American Heart Association.
5. Health Requirements:
• Students must be in good health before beginning the internship. 
• A health screening with documentation of:
• Two-Step PPD/TB reading or QuantiFERON/T-spot blood test.
• Tdap Vaccine.
• Annual Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot).
• Covid Vaccines.
• Bloodwork titers for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
• 2 doses of Varicella Vaccine or Varicella Bloodwork Titer or Documentation by Physician for history of disease.
• Hepatitis B Vaccines series.
6. Security Clearances: Students MUST comply with the Pennsylvania Acts 33, 34, and 73 requirements (Child Abuse, Criminal Background, and FBI clearances). This paperwork can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Proof of all clearances MUST be submitted to the Internship Coordinator before the start of the internship, including Act 73 fingerprinting, www.identogo.com.