DESCRIPTION OF THE CHILD LIFE PROGRAM AT ST. JOHN’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Staff

St. John’s Children’s Hospital Child Life staff currently consists of two Certified Child Life Specialists. One CCLS is responsible for in-patient pediatric programming, the 2nd CCLS is responsible for the surgery area. The program also works closely with nursing staff, social work, pedi rehab, and other services to meet the needs of our patients. In addition volunteers come weekly to assist in providing individual activities for patients along with the upkeep of the playroom and supplies.

Program Activities

The Child Life Program serves children birth through adolescence, providing individual and group experiences in developmental and therapeutic play. Among the services provided by the Child Life Program are the following:

• Medical play and teaching to familiarize children and families with medical equipment and procedures
• Developmentally appropriate preparation for accompaniment during painful or invasive procedures.
• Helpful coping techniques for children and families.
• Developmentally appropriate toys and activities in play areas or at bedside.
• Infant stimulation program for infants requiring long-term or frequent hospitalization.
• Advocacy for children and families.
• Assistance for siblings of children hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
• Knowledgeable helpful volunteers
• Surgical Discovery pre-operation tour for children and families
• Scheduled play and recreation room activities
• Computer equipped Technology Center
• Coordination of Healing Hearts Pediatric Bereavement Program including facilitation of children, teen, and parent support groups.
• Educate staff and community on child life issues by organizing in-services for medical staff and participating in community health fairs
• Organize special events/donations for patients and families
• Coordinate Pediatric Pet Therapy, Massage Therapy, and Music Therapy Programs
• Professional medical charting

THE PLAYROOM – SAFE, BRIGHT, INVITING AREA

To the children, the playroom is a “safe” area where no medical procedures may be performed. It is a bright and inviting room, with a door that leads to an outdoor healing garden for fair weather activities. Toys and activities are available for infants, toddlers, pre-school, and school-age children.

THE TEEN LOUNGE & KOHL’S TECHONOLOGY CENTER

The teen lounge is a safe place where teens ages 10-20 can go in the hospital. The teen lounge provides a stereo, computer, video games Sony Play Station 2, and much more!
The Kohl’s Technology Center provides interactive computer games, educational resources, Internet access and much more for our patient and family use.

THE CHILD LIFE INTERN PLACEMENT APPLICATION PROCESS

When applying for an internship for the St. John’s Children’s Hospital Child Life Program, please note that the applicant must be affiliated with an accredited university/college and have ongoing instructor supervision during the internship.

1) Read the following material thoroughly.

2) Contact the Child Life Office with any questions you may have concerning our program or the application process. (217) 544-6464 ext. 44625

3) Complete the online application form, and mail a copy of your resume, and three professional references to:
St. John’s Children’s Hospital
Pediatric Child Life Program
Attn: Susan Spears, CCLS
800 E. Carpenter St.
Springfield, IL 62769

4) The child life specialist will contact you for an interview.

5) The child life specialist will notify you with the status of your application after your professional references have been received and your application is complete.

CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION TO THE PROGRAM

Before applying for an internship with the Child Life Program at St. John’s Children’s Hospital, please review the following criteria for make certain you qualify.

• Students will be working towards a degree in child life, child development, or early childhood education and be affiliated with an accredited university/college
• Students will be in or beyond their senior year in college.
• Students will have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
• Students will have 50-75 hours of working/volunteering experience within a child life program.
• Students will provide three letters of reference, with at least one from their direct supervisor in a healthcare setting.
• Students will be working towards child life certification by the child life certifying committee.
• Course work related to the hospitalized child is preferred.
• Students will have extensive coursework in child development.

Personal Characteristics: All applicants must demonstrate sensitivity to children and their families, the ability to work with persons from a variety of cultural backgrounds, flexibility, and creativity.

REQUIREMENTS

1- Health screening provided by St. John’s Hospital
2- Up to date immunizations and TB shots
3- Written goals and objectives for the field experience
4- A complete orientation to the Child Life Services and the Children’s Hospital
5- Observation of all aspects of the Child Life Program
6- Daily journals to be turned in weekly and discussed with rotation supervisor
7- Attendance in weekly in-services
8- Selection of special project for completion during internship and presented to staff
9- Two off-site visits
10- Participation in a midterm and final evaluation process
11- 6 completed chart notes turned into the child life supervisor
12- 2 developmental notes
13- 2 activity plans
14- 2 article research reviews
15- Weekly evaluations
16- Supervision of Volunteers
17- Case study and presentation to staff
18- Completion of scheduled rotations: Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Surgery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Clinics
19- Assume responsibility for equipment and materials
20- Independent
21- Flexible and creative

CHILD LIFE INTERNSHIP DEADLINES

In order to be eligible to sit for the exam, candidates must have completed 480 hours of their clinical experience before the application filing deadlines (March 31 and August 31)