Patient Operations Internship

The Patient Operations Internship is an opportunity for students to strengthen their skills while making a meaningful difference in the lives of hospitalized children. As an intern, you'll help support CFHK's distributions of cards to Children's Hospitals nationwide in all 50 states (monthly and on holidays) as well as our care package program, and special programs, for individual kids referred to us who are undergoing cancer treatment, long-term hospitalization or serious health issues. 

Housed within Cards for Hospitalized Kids’ Operations Intern Team, this specialized internship focuses on supporting the programs and relationships that allow CFHK to reach children and families across the country. Interns help maintain relationships with hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, support the organization’s referral program, and assist with the coordination of personalized care packages for children facing serious illnesses and extended hospital stays.

Through their work, interns help ensure that CFHK’s programs run smoothly and that children, families, and hospital staff receive the support and encouragement they need. Responsibilities may include conducting quarterly check-ins with hospital and Ronald McDonald House partners, reaching out to new hospitals, following up with Child Life staff regarding CFHK’s referral program, and helping maintain accurate referral records.

Patient Operations Internship

Potential Task Responsibilities

Hospital & Ronald McDonald House Outreach

• Conduct quarterly check-ins with existing hospital and Ronald McDonald House partners across the country to identify any new requests, updates, changes, etc.
• Follow up with hospital and Child Life staff regarding card distributions and program participation.
• Research and reach out to new hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses to introduce CFHK’s programs.
• Help maintain an up-to-date Address List for the monthly mailings to hospitals nationwide. This includes executing any changes to the list and ensuring our HQ in Chicago has the list on time each month.
• Maintain updated contact lists for hospital and Ronald McDonald House partners.

Patient Referral Program

• Follow up with Child Life staff regarding CFHK’s patient referral program
• Help identify opportunities to increase referrals from existing hospital partners.
• Maintain and organize referral program records and related resources.

Patient / Family Follow-Up

• Follow up with families as needed after mailings as needed.
• Outreach to families or referring provider to clarify details on referral as needed. 
• Communicate with our “regular receiving kids” periodically to see it there are any new favorite characters, interests, etc that we need to factor in. 

Care Package Program Intern Team-- Support 

• Assist the Care Package Team Intern with entering new patient referrals into CFHK’s system as needed
• Assist with ensuring up-to-date trackers for patent mailings / packages across all categories including entering in information as needed, re-setting the charts monthly, etc.
• Assist with communicating with families regarding referrals and care package details.

Care Package & Toy Wish Lists

• Maintain and update CFHK’s general care package and toy wish lists on both Amazon and Target.
• Assist with keeping the lists up-to-date including removing out-of-stock items, adding new ones, adding descriptions and more. 
• Communicating with the Intern Team and Leadership to add more items as needed based on patient need

Program Coordination & Operations

• Help create cover letters and any supportive files for patient mailings / packages as needed including holiday variations, types, etc.
• Help update and/or create new package attachments for care packages via Canva as needed.
• Coordinate with the remote and/or Care Package Intern team to identify needs for these areas.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong written communication: Ability to communicate professionally and compassionately with hospital staff, families, and other contacts.
• Organization and attention to detail: Ability to maintain accurate referral records, wish lists, and program information.
• Research skills: Ability to identify new hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses, and potential program partners.
• Professionalism and discretion: Ability to handle patient and family information responsibly and follow CFHK’s privacy procedures.
• Compassion and empathy: Interest in supporting children and families experiencing serious illnesses and hospitalizations.
• Initiative and accountability: Ability to take ownership of tasks, meet deadlines, and follow through on responsibilities.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Willingness to work with the Operations Team, Lead Intern, and CFHK leadership.
• Adaptability and receptiveness to feedback: Ability to learn new systems, follow established procedures, and incorporate guidance.