Internship Interview Questions

A 6 month old is having an IV start for the 1st time. Parents are present and very anxious and worried about the child will respond.

Pain, loss of trust in hospital staff giving the IV, can sense stress and anxiety from parents, make them tense and anxious but separation from parents is also a big stressor. Maximizing parental involvement, giving them a task (comfort positioning, holding arm, sweet ease, etc.

Lev Vygotsky

sociocultural theory/social development theory/ social theory of cognitive development. the fundamental role of social interaction in cognitive development. Children learn actively through hands-on experiences. Parents, caregivers, and culture are responsible for developing higher order functions of children.

stressors for infants (0-12)

being separated from parents, trust concerns, not as much stimulation or play, change of schedule, routine, and environment

Describe an unsuccessful experience with a child and what would you do differently?

...

What are 3 traits of a child life specialist?

Compassionate, resilient, and insightful (having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive.)

Who is your favorite developmental theorist and why?

Lev Vygotsky: sociocultural theory, zone of proximal development or Bronfenbrenner Ecological Systems theory

How would a child describe you?

Silly, energetic, "weird", loves coffee, caring, kind, responsible, and encouraging.

tell me about yourself

22 years old, working as a spanish medical interpreter in a health system and organization serving youth 0-3 with developmental delays, which means my schedule is something completely different each week. I have to be flexible and very organized to be able to do it all. I love to travel, read a good book outside by the pool, search for the best iced coffee around. Fun fact: i lived in costa rica for a summer.

AAC (alternative and augmentative communication)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication. There are AAC devices, sign language, and other methods of expression that provide children who are nonverbal an alternative way of communicating. At a young age this is very beneficial. *application* through my work with BN I work alongside EI to find ways to encourage communication with nonverbal children, especially difficult w/ hispanic children bc of the language barrier. Teaching hand signs in spanish. Use these strategies to increase the child's language and communication skills. (Baby 1 is 2 y/o and hasn't said first word, Baby 2 is almost 3 and still nonverbal)

There are many careers involving service to and advocacy for children and families why have you chosen to pursue child life?

-Hospital setting, direct interaction with children and families -Can help not just the patient but the family, siblings, and I love the aspect of being a part of a team and working with the rest of hospital staff -Advocating -Confident I would feel fulfilled in this profession and be able to go home each day knowing I made a difference doing what I love

What are your goals for this internship?

1. My main goal overall is to transform from a student in the field of child life to a professional who is competent and ready for hire. 2. I also would more specifically like to gain more experience interacting with adolescents and discovering what CL interventions are most beneficial for them 3. More exposure to ways to provide sibling support effectively 4. Gain experience planning and implementing group activities that are engaging and beneficial for various ages.

Do you have any questions for us?

1. What is one or some of the main things you hope for your intern to accomplish or take away from an internship experience? 2. Is there anything specific you do to help your intern in the job search process or to prepare them for job interviews? 3. What qualities are you looking for in your intern? 4. What do you do as CCLSs to promote the "everything for our children" campaign of Christus Health?

What are three ways in which a child life specialist can improve a child's experience in the hospital?

1. addressing developmental needs 2. learning through play 3. maintain normalcy 4. cope with hospitalization 5. improve physical health through stress reduction 6. Remember details about pts and families

In the playroom there are 2 parents having an animated conversation, they increase in volume, and are using foul language. What do you do ?

1st attempt I would try to redirect conversation If it continued.. 2nd attempt I would be sensitive to the needs of the children and now matter how uncomfortable it may be I would have to ask the parents to either change their topic of conversation or ask them to have the conversation in a more appropriate setting. Validate feelings, ask if they would like a break.. offer break room/lounge as another place to have the discussion. Explain that their emotions may be transferring to the children and upsetting them.

Please state which stage of Erikson's theory a 2-year-old, 8-year-old, and 14- year-old are in and tell us what developmentally-appropriate activity you would bring to each of them?

2 year old: autonomy vs. shame -->will (light and sound toys, blocks, sorting toys, toddler phone) 8 year old: industry vs. inferiority --> competency (arts and crafts set, puzzle, legos, simple board games) 14 year old: identity vs. role confusion --> fidelity (board and card games, arts and crafts, video games, movies)

What's the most beneficial thing you learned in a child life class?

All the child life classes I've taken have been online. So the format is a lot different than if I were someone who had an undergrad degree in child life. I believe that the most beneficial thing i learned through my classes were the amount of resources available to child life professionals. I learned how to find organizations in the community that share the same values that CL professionals do and how we can utilize them to serve pt and families. While attending CL conference at GHS I learned about self care, mindfulness, and benefits of pet therapy.

You have a toddler, school-aged child, and adolescent in the playroom. What activity would you do with them and how would you adjust it for each of them?

Arts and crafts activities: toddler- finger painting, coloring, or shaving cream school aged: shaving cream fluffy slime or cream paint Adolescent: painting, can use puffy paint (shaving cream if desired or do a shaving cream marbling activity)

How are you in a stressful situation?

As a Spanish interpreters things can become stressful when called to assist multiple patients. I have specific techniques that I use to help me manage the stress and remain productive daily. I always like to write down my schedule for the day ahead of time so that I can refer back to the written schedule when changes occur and easily know how it will affect my day. Relaying information to my supervisor about changes helps because she is aware and can help keep me accountable at the end of the week. I also like to use exercise, music, and podcasts as stress relief when at home.

1 - 3 Months - Development

Begin to relax and extend their arms and legs. Brings hands or objects to mouth. Looks at hands or objects. Follows light, faces, and objects. Listens to sounds, holds and then drops objects. Active Leg movements. By 3 months: reach hands to objects, bat at hanging objects with hands. Begins to imitate sounds, coos, vowel sounds. Cries are purposeful and differentiated for their needs.

Preparations I have experience with

Cast on/ off IV start Finger Prick VCUG MRI / CT Catheter - urinary Lumbar Puncture Tour /Spinal Fusion Tour Allergy Testing - Endocrine Clinic port access blood draw surgery prep bone reduction

Maria Montessori

Children absorb and learn from their environment. Most important years are (1-6) when unconscious learning is gradually brought to the conscious level. Teacher, child, and the environment create a triangle of learning. Multiage groupings are a hallmark of the Montessori method. Younger children learn from older children, older children reinforce their learning by teaching concepts they have already mastered (justification for the benefits for group therapeutic activities in the hospital)

Jean Piaget

Cognitive development: Development is biologically based. He focused on how children learn. Studied their thinking process and how it shapes how they see and learn about the world. 1)Sensorimotor (0-2yrs): learns and explores using their senses, learns to communicate needs. 2) Preoperational (2-7) 3) Concrete Operational (7-11) 4) Formal Operational (11 and +) Applicable to child life because tasks should be suitable for their stage of cognitive development. Each stage can also explain common misconceptions children may have about diagnosis, why they are in hospital, procedures, etc.

Tell me about your practicum experience

I completed my CL practicum this past June in Memphis TN at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. I completed rotations in the outpatient clinics and PICU. I started out shadowing Katelyn in outpt clinics which was a great first introduction to the field. The outpt clinics were often very focused on procedural preparation and sometimes simply diversion. (Ortho newborn, ortho, allergy, radiology, etc.) Later, I did rotations in PICU which is on the opposite end of the severity spectrum than outpt. I learned how to build rapport with long term patients/families, memory making, legacy building. Multidisciplinary collaboration (care conference with palliative care, medical staff, and family).

What are your personal strengths?

I have excellent communication skills through my background in spanish and international health. I have learned to read body language, assess family dynamics, and build quick rapport using these skills. I am very adaptive and flexible. I adjusted to the culture of Costa Rica and lived, worked, and studied there successfully for 10 weeks. I am a good listener, which allows me to take direction from my supervisor to improve and listen to the needs of patients and families.

what's the most beneficial thing you learned during your practicum?

I learned so many valuable lessons during my practicum, but one that cannot be learned in a classroom is the ability to assess. The ability to make a quick assessment when meeting a pt and family for the first time of what their true needs are and how to best serve their needs. My supervisor was very observant and even picked up on conversational cues and shifts in body language that gave her information about the parents and how they were dealing with the situation that they were in. (1st baby example). Learning about external stressors..

Please describe a specific experience you've had with a hospitalized child/family that was significant for you

Needle Play Fun Day Creating Memories Morgue Visit Ortho Fracture Clinic syringe/bubble painting blood soup fortnite monopoly

Describe a time when you had to advocate for a child

Neighborhood Focus flu shot/ vision test. Dissolve language barrier, cultural fears (insurance, deportation, costs, etc).

What are your professional goals?

I aspire to be a CCLS and Spanish Interpreter. I hope to diversify my skill set by finding opportunities to serve in a leadership role. I hope to be supported by coworkers who will push me to learn and grow each day. I plan to attend conferences to build a strong network of professionals to learn from and confide in. I know that I will add value to the field of Child Life and be fulfilled by achieving these professional goals.

As an intern you are just meeting the pt and family for the first time. they are unfamiliar with CL.. introduce yourself and your role

Depending on circumstances introduction would vary. Position myself at eye level with pt and family. often CCLS have little time to explain their role before having to begin CL interventions. Therefore, if I had a short amount of time I would state "Hi my name is Hannah and I am here today to do whatever I can to make this experience as comfortable as possible for you." I would ask if they had any questions for me.. build rapport.

Why should we choose you for our program?

I believe that I possess a combination of skills and experience that make me stand out from the other possible candidates. I know that San Antonio is highly populated by hispanic and often underserved families. i have experience working extensively with hispanic patients as a spanish medical interpreter. I specifically completed an internship at an afterschool program that serves low SES and hispanic youth. I also lived abroad in Costa Rica for a summer, which allowed me to immerse myself into their culture. I believe like any other aspect of the healthcare experience, cultural competency should be highly valued. I know that i understand some cultural differences for hispanic families and i am sure that I would be able to identify those as a child life intern and adapt my interventions to be respectful of their differences.

Feedback is an important part of the learning process.. Give an example of a time in which you received constructive feedback and tell what you did with the information

During practicum, asked Meredith.. 1) dont doubt yourself 2) keep up in the hallways

Urie Bronfenbrenner

Ecological Systems Theory. Everything in a child's environment affects how the child develops. Differences in behavior when in the presence of family, at school, etc. Published in 1979 a theory to analyze the person and effects of different environmental systems (micro, meso, exo, and macro) This applies to child life because it helps understand how being in a new environment such as a hospital can affect a child's development, behavior, and wellbeing.

Arnold Gesell

Gesell's Gradients of Growth. He was a maturationist who believed that child development patterns (both physical and emotional) are determined primarily by heredity. Created a list of normative development of various skills and the rate at which this development occurs. Provides a standard course of development to compare and identify developmental delays/issues.

4-6 months Development

Grasp, moro, root, and tonic neck reflexes disappear. Can balance their head well and sit with support. Begins to support body with legs when held standingup. Moves objects from one hand to another. Grabs feet and toes when lying on their back.

How do you plan to live out our hospital's mission?

I've done a lot of research into the christus health system and I know that it was founded on the ideas of serving all children no matter their race, religion, or socioeconomic status. Specifically I know that CHOFSA serves a lot of hispanic children and families. I believe that my background in Spanish and International Health will add value to caring for Hispanic families because of the work i've done as a spanish medical interpreter and my health internship at neighborhood focus. With an educational background in Public Health, my actions are rooted in equity, equality, and integrity.

An 8 yo is having an IV start. The previous took multiple sticks. The child's parents are unable to be present. what do you do?

If possible, needle play beforehand to familiarize med equipment, promote normalization, gain sense of control/autonomy. Build rapport with pt, let them know you are someone they can trust. Establish effective coping techniques and preferences for medical procedures (deep breaths, closed eyes, squeeze stress ball, watch show, count to 3). Give age appropriate choices. If possible to be present, do so for emotional support. IF not, review coping techniques with pt before leaving. Typically would want to maximize parental involvement, fear of pain, loss of control, loss of choice, change in routine (not having parents present), frustration or regression due to stress from past negative experience

Tell me about your least/ fav age group to work with and why?

Least favorite: infant 0-1 years because they cannot yet express their wants/needs. Most favorite age group: school age because they are very expressive, can usually communicate well, and respond well to interventions, learning.

Support for Bowlby's Attachment Theory

Mary Ainsworth: the "strange situation" that left children 12-18 mos alone briefly and then reunited with their mom. Their reactions when mom returned determined the different types of attachment. Harry Harlow's Maternal Deprivation Study: social isolation study that found that early attachments were result of receiving comfort and care from a caregiver rather than simply physical needs such as food.

Abraham Maslow

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. People are motivated to achieve certain needs. Believed that these needs are unrelated to rewards or unconscious desires (physiological needs, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization)

Robert Coles

Moral Development. Parents and caregivers play an important role in the moral development of children through the examples they set. Children use close adults as models for morality. In adolescence this is harder to maintain because cultural and external influences make them more culturally literate than morally literate. Applicable to child life because parents act as a guide for children as they try to comprehend the culture and media around them.

Kohlberg

Moral development 1) preconventional (0-9) 2) conventional (9-adolescence) 3)postconventional (only some reach this stage) The Heinz Dilemma: stole the cancer drug for his wife that he could not afford. asked questions about the morality of his actions.

Describe an obstacle you have faced and how did you reach your goal?

Obstacle: meeting ACLP eligibility requirements without being enrolled in an undergrad ChildLife program. What I did: reached out to CL professionals nearby for guidance, enrolled in online CL courses, joined CL student support forums, Sought relevant volunteer opportunities (GHS, CMDM, NF). Attended professional development CL conference to network with other students, professionals, and to learn and grow. I was forced to advocate for my education and goals independently.

BF Skinner

Operant Conditioning: an association made between a particular behavior and a consequence. A behavior followed by pleasant consequences more likely to be repeated than a behavior followed by unpleasant consequences. Using positive reinforcement/ praise to increase the likelihood to repeat positive action.

There are several children in the hospital that need something. How would you prioritize them (3-4 tasks are given)?

Prioritize based on severity, those having difficulty coping in hospital setting, those lacking familial support

zone of proximal development

Progression of learning. The ZPD is the gap between what a person can do with help vs. what they can do alone. This is my favorite concept of child development because I believe child life interventions are often based on this type of instruction. In medical play interventions CCLS are there to guide the child, but only intervene when help is needed. They are able to make strides on their own and continue to learn with CCLS presence.

Sigmund Freud

Psychosexual Development, personality development. Believes that psychosexual energy (libido) is the driving force behind behavior. Psychoanalytic theory- personality is established by the age of 5. Early childhood experiences influence personality development and will continue to influence behavior later in life. If issues go unresolved, a fixation can occur in that stage.

John Bowlby's Attachment Theory

children are biologically predisposed to develop attachments with caregivers as a means of increasing the chances of their own survival. Caregivers play a major role in child development and continue to influence social relationships throughout life. Importance of parents being active in the child's care. Children who are securely attached as infants tend to develop stronger self esteem and reliance.

what is your child life philosophy?

The opportunity to help a child develop positively and build effective coping mechanisms that will help them through their hospital experience as well as in their personal and professional lives in the future. Helping our most vulnerable population to thrive as children, leading them to develop their own skill set to lead happy, healthy, and successful lives. A child's experiences shape their future.. positive child experiences = a better future and a better world for future generations.

Howard Gardner

Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Students have different minds and therefore, learn, remember, perform, and understand differently. This applies to child life because having the understanding that children learn differently will help you tailor interventions, plans, and preps according to their learning style. A child may respond better to different activities that are hands-on, written, listening, or visual.

Give us an example of a time you used therapeutic play to help a child?

Therapeutic medical play event at Le Bonheur "Otto the Ortho Spider" making spider out of cup, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, casting plaster. syringe/bubble painting

There is a 3-year-old patient who doesn't want to eat or drink. How would you encourage him to do so?

This is one area of their life where they can exert some control. By refusing to eat, your child is practicing his or her independence.Provide age appropriate choices of what they would like to eat and how much of each thing they would like. Promote mealtimes as a time that the family can be together, makes the experience a positive one, and parents can model healthy eating behaviors. Let them help prepare the meal if possible or let them help set the table. Make eating fun, cut sandwiches into fun shapes, let children come up with fun names for their fav foods. 1. give them a heads up about mealtime so they can transition into mealtime more easily 2. set up a routine that is reliable 3.

What motivates you?

What motivates me is the satisfaction of knowing I can bring a unique perspective to the field of child life that will be valuable to the future of this career field. I enjoy creating solutions to problems in an innovative and fun way. (medical play event, mental health programming). I enjoy having interpersonal relationships, serving as an advocate, and being someone to trust.

what are your weaknesses?

When assigned with tasks.. i like to work on them until completion, which can sometimes give me a little bit of tunnel vision and hamper my creativity. I've learned when I have a big assignment that is stressing me out that I need to plan ahead and work on it a little bit each day. This allows me breaks in between the work sessions to regroup and review the work that i've done. I will sacrifice my own needs in order to meet the needs of others, which can sometimes lead to exhaustion.

Tell us about a time when you may have had a difficult time maintaining a professional vs personal relationship with a child or family

When volunteering at GHS there was a "miracle family" that had presented at Clemson Miracle Dance Marathon, a fundraising event for CMN hospitals that I was very involved in during college. Whenever I was volunteering one day I recognized the name on my patient list and knew immediately who they were as they are a beloved family by the organization. I had actually met the family at the event, but realized they would likely not remember me as they meet so many students at those events. When entering the pt room I had to remain professional, introduce myself and services as usual. This was not the time or place to talk casually or mention that I had met them previously. Although I wanted to tell them how much I admired them I knew that this was not appropriate.

Common Stressors accompanying surgery

being away from school and friends thinking he or she is in the hospital because he or she is bad or is being punished having a part of the body destroyed or injured loss of control pain (or the possibility of pain) needles and shots dying during surgery

stressors for preschool age (3-5 years)

being separated from parents, fear that his body will be changed or hurt, thinking about procedures or diagnosis in magical ways or as a punishment

stressors for toddlers (1-2 years)

being separated from parents, loss of independence, restricted movement, meeting new people

Describe a difficult time you had with children

While nannying for a family, I took care of 3 girls each day after school. The girls were 9y/o, 13 y/o, and 15 y/o. The girls had difficulty with having to do their homework when we got home from school. They would try to postpone their school work, fight with each other, and play around. I had to sit down with the girls and explain to them that their education can affect their success in the future. The girls liked to go to a gas station for treats after school sometimes so i set boundaries for the girls with their homework. If they had a good week, did all their homework, then we could go to the gas station on fridays to celebrate the end of the week and the hard work they did that week. (Positive Reinforcement)

Why do you want to be an intern at CHOFSA?

Will help me to achieve my goals, I am open to variety of units, I have strong belief no matter where I am placed in the hospital I will learn an immense amount due to it being such a prestigious hospital with a highly involved CL program. I would love the opportunity to be an intern at a hospital that values the field of CL. CHOFSA mission is based off three principles that align with the values of CL. Provide me with opportunities to identify needs. I believe that this hospital is a place in which I can truly use my skill set to better the lives of those around me. When I found LIH I knew it was the perfect combination for me, I have the same feeling about CHOFSA.

what qualities and skills do you possess that will help you during your internship and later as a specialist?

eager to learn, team player, committed, open to many different units, flexible, good listener, not afraid to ask for help. Excellent communication skills. Able to take direction from supervisor. Listen to true needs of pt and family. Adaptive and flexible. Leadership potential. self aware.

How would you explain a [procedure] to a school-aged child?

explain the rooms, procedures and machines the child will encounter in a way they will understand. tell the truth in simple terms and answer all of the child's questions. Having the child explain back what is going to happen in the hospital. Encouraging the child to teach their stuffed animals, pet or other family members about the hospital. Giving the child as many choices as possible.

Stressors for a school aged child

fear of pain/injury, fear of permanence of condition, school disruption, modesty, changes in appearance/body image, fear of being different

stressors for school age (6-12)

loss of control of his body, loss of independence, loss of ability to feel like he can master a skill

stressors for adolescents (12-19)

loss of independence, concern about body image, lack of trust, threat to future competence

Common reactions of a school aged child

may try to postpone intervention/procedure, use procrastination as a coping tool, passively accept pain as "being brave", groan and whines,

Albert Bandura

observational learning. Behaviors can be learned through observation and modeling. *CCLS application* Importance of modeling positive coping techniques (parents, nurses, and CCLS), using medical play/procedural prep to teach children new skills and information. Using modeling and their observation skills to further develop their knowledge and skills.

Describe the role of a CLS to a pt, doctor, and parent..

pt: depends on where they are in hospital, inpatient vs E.D. vs Surgery Doctor: help with the psychosocial aspect of hospitalization for patients and families in order tor promote positive coping, normalization, and better health outcomes Parent: We are here as an extra layer of support for you all. We are here to answer any questions you may have and make this the best experience possible, even though it is difficult.

How would you prep a pt for a procedure?

research the procedure and what it entails (equipment used, special conditions, purpose). Assess the pt's knowledge, prior level of experience. Provide visuals (pictures of exam room, medical equipment) Use descriptive language to describe sounds and smells they might experience. Go through the procedure step by step. Use authentic medical equipment if possible to promote familiarization and normalization. Use questions and feedback to assess knowledge following the intervention. ER prep: coping focused (breathing, comfort positioning, step by step narration) In patient: usually more in depth.

types of attachment

secure (these infants showed distress upon separation but sought comfort and were easily comforted when the parent(s) returned), avoidant (experienced greater levels of distress and, upon reuniting with the parent(s), seemed to both seek comfort and attempt to "punish" the parent(s) for leaving) ambivalent, disorganized

What are Bowlby's stages of distress because of attachment?

stages of distress: Protest: The child cries, screams and protests angrily when the parent leaves. They will try to cling on to the parent to stop them leaving. Despair: The child's protesting begins to stop, and they appear to be calmer although still upset. The child refuses others' attempts for comfort and often seems withdrawn and uninterested in anything. Detachment: If separation continues the child will start to engage with other people again. They will reject the caregiver on their return and show strong signs of anger.