Music Therapy Internship Program
The Music Therapy Internship Program at Children's Mercy is committed to providing a quality learning experience that will enable the student to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to be an effective professional music therapist in a pediatric health care environment.
Program highlights
Interns will gain clinical experience with a wide variety of pediatric ages and diagnoses. They will observe, co-lead, and facilitate individual sessions, and have the opportunity to co-treat with other disciplines such as child life, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Areas of service will include, but not be limited to:
Contact Us
Kim Robertson, MBA, MT-BC
Manager, Creative Arts Therapies and Education
(816) 234-3776
krobertson@cmh.edu
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hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant
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rehabilitation
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dialysis
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intensive care nursery
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pediatric intensive care unit
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respiratory patients (cystic fibrosis)
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post surgery cardiac patients
Individual sessions are generally delivered at bedside and incorporate a variety of treatment modalities based on the needs of the patient. Assessments are completed on all referred patients, and documentation is done following each session. The intern is expected to progressively move toward functioning as a full member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, which also includes physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, child life specialists, social workers, and chaplains.
Requirements
Music therapy interns must be knowledgeable about music therapy theory and practice, child development, family dynamics, and basic pediatric medical diagnoses. In addition, they must be proficient musicians in voice, keyboard, and guitar, and have general functional knowledge of music theory. A basic repertoire of age-appropriate songs for children of all ages is also required.
Internship assignments
There will be three required assignments, as well as assigned reading during clinical rotations. Interns will be encouraged to attend AMTA national and regional conferences, as well as some continuing education offerings at the hospital.
Application process
Internships begin in January and June, with application deadlines of June 1 (for January start) and November 1 (for June start). All application materials must be sent in one packet and arrive at the hospital by the deadline date. No late applications will be considered. Interviews will be scheduled after a review of applications, and will include an audition to assess musical skills.
Additional information
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Interns must comply with the hospital’s health requirements including documentation of COVID-19 vaccination and flu vaccination. This must be supplied upon acceptance into the program and is the responsibility of the intern.
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Both professional and general comprehensive public liability insurance is required for the internship and is the responsibility of the intern.
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A legal affiliation agreement must be signed by the intern's university and the hospital prior to the intern's starting date. While not the intern's responsibility, he/she will be kept informed of the status of this agreement prior to the starting date, as the intern cannot begin the internship without this completed agreement.
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Housing and transportation are not provided and no stipend is available. Free parking is provided offsite in hospital parking lots with a complimentary shuttle bus service to the Adele Hall campus.