Choosing Children’s for your fellowship, residency or internship enables you to collaborate with some of the best medical research and academic centers in the country, while gaining experience at one of the nation’s largest pediatric healthcare systems.
The Social Work Department of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta strongly supports the education of future social work professionals. The program is offered through the Social Work Department, a division of Family Services, and is open to 2nd year and advanced-standing MSW students. The program provides students the opportunity to learn medical social work from highly-skilled clinicians. During an internship, students will build on previous coursework through “hands-on” experiences in medical social work. Applying a “See One, Do One, Teach One” model, our goal is to prepare students to be independent practitioners following graduation.
The Social Work Student Program is under the clinical oversight of two Social Work Educators.
Field placement is available for 2nd year and advanced-standing MSW students only. We do not have placements for undergraduate or 1st year MSW students.
This is a competitive placement. We are interested in students who can demonstrate initiative, a strong work ethic, and excellent writing skills.
Interns are valued members of the social work department and are placed with a field instructor assigned to a specific medical service.
All field instructors are licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) in the state of Georgia.
Interns are also given the opportunity to shadow social workers in other service areas at Children’s.
Students are expected to actively participate in their own education by completing weekly supervision and attending monthly educational seminars.
Eligible applicants must attend an MSW program accredited by CSWE that utilizes a field placement coordinator.In addition, a representative from the MSW program must be able to conduct site visits (either in person or by phone) at least once per semester.
Not everyone who applies or interviews for an internship will be accepted.
There is no stipend available for social work internships.
Students accepted and who intend to work during the course of their internship must have their employment evaluated by Children’s for potential conflicts of interest.
Internships are available during the traditional academic calendar (fall and spring semesters).
Internships are available Wednesday through Friday during normal business hours.
Block placements (40 hours/week over one semester) may be considered.
Students are expected to complete their placement agreement regardless of their school’s required number of field hours.
Students are expected to report to their internship on time every day. Specific start and end times of the internship day are determined in conjunction with the field supervisor to accommodate the clinical area.
Some universities require students to contact their field placement office to express interest in being placed at Children’s. Speak with your placement office/advisor before contacting Children’s. Local Georgia universities that have this requirement are Kennesaw State, Clark Atlanta, and the University of Georgia.
The dress code is business casual; this is a conservative work environment. The dress code prohibits sleeveless tops, denim of any kind, open-toed shoes, capri or cropped pants.
Finger nails may not be longer than ¼” from the tip of the finger to ensure a health-conscious and safe workplace.Artificial nails are not permitted.
Jewelry and other accessories worn must be appropriate to the business setting.
Visible body piercings, other than in earlobes, are not permitted.
Visible body art, such as tattoos, are not appropriate in our work setting and should be covered at all times.
Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited at all Children’s locations. Tobacco smoke odor must not be detectable at any time.
Register with the symplr® system, which facilitates computer-based orientation training and uploading of all necessary documents and requirements. There is a registration fee of $49.The cost of the required criminal background check is included in this fee.
Show proof of immunizations and current immunity (titers) for influenza, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, MMR, and varicella. Students must also provide proof of a negative tuberculosis skin test.
Complete a 10-panel urine drug screen.
Show proof of professional liability insurance (may be provided by the school/university).
Complete required Children’s orientation, including electronic medical record training, and an on-site tour with assigned field instructor. These orientation activities are often scheduled prior to the beginning of the academic semester.
I have completed my phone interview and submitted my application.I am scheduled to complete an in-person interview.Does this mean I am guaranteed a placement?
No, we often interview more students than we have internships.
I was not offered an interview. Can I be waitlisted?
No, there is no waitlist.
I am able to fulfill my school’s requirement for hours by March of the spring semester. Can I leave my placement early?
No, students must remain in placement until the end of the academic semester, regardless of when the requirement for hours is met.
I am not an MSW student yet. Are there any opportunities to shadow?
No, there are no opportunities to shadow.
I am a BSW student.Can I apply for an internship?
No. We only accept graduate-level MSW students who are 2nd year or advanced-standing.
I am interested in doing counseling/psychology. Do you have any positions within behavioral health?
No. There is no inpatient psychiatry unit at Children’s. Only medical social work positions are available within Social Work/Family Services at this time.