Mount Sinai Hospital is located in the heart of New York City and is one of the largest teaching facilities in the country. The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department consists of approximately 15 full time and part time Child Life Specialists and assistants as well as varied consultants in creative arts modalities. We are integrated in all pediatric areas of the hospital including inpatient units as well as outpatient clinics and the emergency room.

We offer a limited number of internships designed to meet the individual needs of the intern and program. Students will be closely supervised by Child Life Specialists and will participate in weekly educational training seminars and team meetings throughout the internship.

In order to apply for an internship, students must have already completed 75 volunteer hours in a pediatric setting and have completed the necessary Child Life coursework to sit for the Child Life certification exam. 

If you would like more information about our intern positions, please contact:
valerie.falcone@mountsinai.org
anna.eckhardt@mountsinai.org

Volunteers:

Volunteers are an important part of Child Life at Mount Sinai . If you would like information on volunteering, please contact : cheryl.strauss@mountsinai.org

REQUIREMENTS:
•  A commitment of a minimum of 4 hours per week for a minimum of at least 6 months.
•  Energy, enthusiasm, creative resourcefulness and a desire to work with children.
•  Child Life can only consider individuals 18 years of age and older for inpatient openings, 17 years and older for The Zone, and 16 years of age and older for outpatient openings. It is preferred that a candidate has had prior experience with children or a background/strong interest in child development. High School seniors will be considered for the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic and for working in other areas with children ages 2 months to 12 years.

Volunteers must be able to:
•  Work independently, but be open to supervision.
•  Complete all necessary paperwork and medical clearance.
•  Participate in orientation to the specific unit/area by their Child Life supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
•  Provide developmentally appropriate, therapeutic activities to individual patients referred by the Child Life Specialist.
•  Assist Child Life Specialist or CL Intern in group activities, including set-up and clean-up of the activity room or clinic area.
•  Practice strict hand-washing techniques and follow procedures for contact and other isolation precautions.
•  Volunteers are encouraged to make note of significant interactions with patients and to pass it on to Child Life or other health care team members; this information can contribute to the care of the patient.
•  Follow safety and other guidelines as outlined in the checklist for volunteer orientation (given by CL supervisor).