Child Life Practicum

The Child Life program at Lurie Children’s is dedicated to providing a comprehensive educational opportunity for selected candidates pursuing a career in Child Life. The program is designed to offer students exposure to a wide range of clinical interventions while fostering the development of critical thinking skills. Observations may include but are not limited to diagnosis education, procedural preparation and support, medical play, sibling education and emotional support, bereavement counseling, and psychosocial assessments. Throughout the practicum, students will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions, and reflect on their observations. From the practicum students will develop foundational skills necessary for success in a child life internship. 

Practicum Purpose

Our child life program is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in child life. Students will develop core skills needed to prepare for a child life internship by observing clinical interventions and participating in developmental play within a hospital setting. Observations may include medical play, diagnosis teaching, surgical preparation, procedural support, sibling support, bereavement and psychosocial assessment while working within a multidisciplinary team.  At Lurie Children's Hospital we abide by the national standards set by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) which can be found here.

DEI Statement

As a team of clinical advocates, Lurie Children’s Child Life team affirms its commitment to acknowledging, addressing, and contributing to the eradication of all forms of racism, oppression, and marginalizing practices by incorporating the following into our work: Integrity, Inclusivity and Equity, Advocacy, and Evolving Excellence. To read our DEI complete statement, please click here.

**This hospital fully complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1968 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits employment discrimination based upon race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical disability or veteran status.**

Practicum Requirements & Application Process

• Applicants are preferred to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and ideally be enrolled in or completed an undergraduate or graduate program for child life, child or human development, psychology or another closely related field.
  • Affiliation with a university is not mandatory to be considered for the practicum. 
• A copy of all transcripts are required, but do not have to be official.
• Applicants are preferred to have completed 100 hours volunteering with children in a hospital. Verification of volunteer hours should be provided on institution letterhead if applicable.
• All required documents must uploaded with your application by deadline. These documents include:
  • Resume
  • Application
  • Transcripts (official or unofficial)
  • 3 letters of recommendation in sealed and signed envelopes (1 from volunteer supervisor with recommendation and verification of hours if applicable)

Application

Child Life Practicum Application

Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Deadlines for resume and application submission:

• Fall – March 15
• Spring – September 5

Please contact Brittany Smith, MA, CFLE, CCLS, at childlifepracticum@luriechildrens.org with any questions.