Art therapy internship
General information
Children's Memorial Hospital is a nationally known medical center and
pediatric health care delivery system that offers every pediatric specialty and
subspecialty in a variety of convenient settings. The main hospital is located
on Chicago's north side (Lincoln Park). Children's physicians are faculty
members at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University.
Children's Memorial is characterized by excellence in pediatric health care,
but our goals extend beyond meeting the child's medical needs to the well-being
of the whole child. Because of this commitment, we practice a
family-centered-care approach. Multi-disciplinary teams including staff members
from pastoral care, social work, child life and other areas contribute to
patients' and families' overall well-being during a child's hospitalization. The
Children's Services team plays an integral part in the child's healing process,
offering specialized programs that help children cope with the many new
experiences and sometimes painful procedures encountered at the hospital. In
addition, the team provides children with outlets for play, peer interaction and
self-expression.
The Children's Services team at Children's Memorial consists of 14 clinicians
representing several clinical disciplines. Child life specialists, art
therapists and other professionals on the team hold a bachelors or masters
degree in child development, child life, early childhood education, behavioral
sciences, education, fine arts or expressive therapies. Services are provided
for patients and families on all inpatient units, in selected outpatient areas,
the emergency department, pediatric ICU and ambulatory surgical unit.
Academic requirements (child life/child development)
In order to be considered for the Children's Memorial art therapy internship,
you must meet the following criteria:
- Be currently enrolled in the second year masters level of an accredited
art therapy program.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale ("B" average or
better).
Application deadlines
The application and all required documents are due on or before April 1 each
year, for both Summer and Fall internships. After all applications and documents
have been reviewed, selected candidates will be interviewed. Applicants who are
not selected will receive written notification that Children's Memorial will not
be able to provide them with an internship.
Application fee
A non-refundable fee of $10 is required for each internship application and
should be enclosed with the returned application materials . Checks can be made payable to
Children's Memorial Hospital.
Internship specifics
The intern will work approximately 24 to 32 hours a week for a 7- to 8-month
period. The exact dates of the internship will be decided with the student and
his/her college or university.
Contract
Children's Memorial Hospital and the intern's college or university will sign
a contract defining mutual rights and responsibilities. The contract will be
sent upon acceptance to the internship program. The child life manager will work
with the intern's college or university to communicate progress as required.
Acceptance is contingent upon mutual agreement between school and Children's
Memorial Hospital. For those not in school, liability insurance must be
purchased privately with documentation available. The Children's Services
department at Children's Memorial Hospital is under the direction of the
Director of Children's Services. Art therapy interns are directly supervised by
a registered art therapist.