Pediatric Diabetes Clinical Immersion Intern (Nursing & Healthcare Students)

The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc.

Summer Internship Program – Pediatric Diabetes Clinical Immersion Intern

Position Type

Seasonal Residential Internship

Duration

5-week residential experience: July 5 – August 10

• 1 week of pre-camp training and preparation
• 4 weeks of residential camp programming

Some interns may have the opportunity to extend their experience through August 16 to support Barton’s Vermont Overnight Camp.

Location

North Oxford, Massachusetts

Housing and meals are provided during the internship.

About The Barton Center for Diabetes Education

The Barton Center for Diabetes Education is a nationally recognized organization working at the intersection of healthcare, education, and youth development. For more than 90 years, Barton has supported children, families, and young adults living with Type 1 diabetes through residential camps, educational programs, and leadership development opportunities.

Our programs combine medical safety, skill-building, and joyful community experiences to help young people build confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships.

Working at Barton is more than a summer job—it is a hands-on, career-connected learning experience where students and professionals gain real-world experience in healthcare support, youth development, and program leadership.

Program Overview & Role Focus

The Barton Summer Internship Program is a residential, healthcare-focused internship experience that combines hands-on clinical exposure, patient education, and leadership development within a dynamic camp setting.

Pediatric Diabetes Clinical Immersion Interns support the delivery of safe, high-quality diabetes care while helping create a joyful, empowering environment for children living with Type 1 diabetes.

Interns live in cabins and participate fully in camp life, serving as both healthcare support staff and consistent mentors to campers.

Under the supervision of licensed medical staff—including registered nurses, physicians, and diabetes specialists—interns support daily diabetes care, monitor blood glucose trends, assist with insulin dosing, and help campers build confidence and independence in managing their condition.

During the residential program, interns:

• Support campers with Type 1 diabetes in daily care routines and activities as part of the healthcare and cabin team
• Provide real-time diabetes management support throughout meals, activities, and overnight care (based on assigned shift)
• Contribute to a safe, structured, and supportive environment that promotes both medical safety and camper independence

This immersive model provides direct exposure to pediatric diabetes management, interdisciplinary care, and the psychosocial dimensions of chronic disease in a real-world, youth-centered environment.

Internship responsibilities can be structured to meet academic credit or clinical experience requirements where applicable, and Barton is happy to collaborate with universities to support credit-bearing or clinically relevant internship arrangements.

Experience with Type 1 diabetes is welcome but not required.

Scheduling & Shifts

To support 24-hour diabetes care across camp, interns will opt into either a primary day shift or night shift schedule for the duration of the program.

• Day shift interns support diabetes management during meals, activities, and daytime programming
• Night shift interns support overnight monitoring, glucose management, and continuity of care

All interns remain integrated into the broader camp experience while gaining exposure to different rhythms of diabetes care.

Key Responsibilities

Pediatric Diabetes Care

Interns will support campers with Type 1 diabetes in their daily care routines, including:

• Assisting with blood glucose monitoring and CGM interpretation
• Supporting carbohydrate counting and insulin dosing decisions under nurse supervision
• Helping campers administer insulin via pump therapy or injections
• Assisting with insulin pump and CGM sensor/site changes
• Monitoring and responding to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
• Supporting diabetes management during physical activity, heat, and daily camp routines
• Observing patterns in glucose data and communicating concerns to supervising medical staff

Interns gain exposure to diabetes technologies including:

• Continuous Glucose Monitors (Dexcom, Libre, etc.)
• Insulin pumps (Omnipod, Tandem, Medtronic)
• Insulin dosing and carbohydrate ratio management
• Ketone monitoring and sick-day protocols

Camper Health Education & Support

Interns help campers develop the skills and confidence to manage their diabetes independently by:

• Teaching age-appropriate diabetes self-management skills
• Supporting campers as they practice carb counting, insulin administration, and device management
• Encouraging independence and problem-solving in diabetes care
• Providing emotional support to campers navigating diabetes away from home

Cabin Leadership & Camp Life

In addition to healthcare responsibilities, interns serve as part of the cabin leadership team.

Responsibilities include:

• Living in a cabin with campers and supporting daily routines
• Supporting campers during meals, activities, and evening programs
• Ensuring campers have necessary diabetes supplies during activities
• Helping create a safe, inclusive, and empowering camp environment
• Serving as a role model and mentor

Communication & Documentation

Interns work closely with the healthcare team to ensure safe and effective care.

Responsibilities include:

• Logging blood glucose levels, insulin administration, and treatments according to camp protocols
• Communicating concerns or unusual glucose patterns to supervising nurses or medical staff
• Participating in daily healthcare team meetings and camper check-ins
• Collaborating with counselors and program staff to coordinate care

Clinical Training & Mentorship

Interns receive training during pre-camp week, including:

• Type 1 diabetes physiology and management
• Insulin dosing principles
• CGM and insulin pump technology
• Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia treatment protocols
• Diabetes care in active youth environments
• Emergency response procedures
• Pediatric patient communication and support

Interns work alongside licensed nurses, physicians, and diabetes care professionals throughout the program.

Compensation & Funding

These internships are unpaid by The Barton Center. However, many colleges and universities offer stipends, grants, or experiential learning funding to support students participating in unpaid internships with nonprofit organizations.

Barton is committed to working with selected candidates to help them secure funding through their institution’s internship, public service, or experiential learning programs where available. In the event that university funding is unavailable, Barton may be able to offer a limited stipend to help offset participation costs.

In addition to potential funding, interns receive:

• Housing and meals during the residential program
• Mentorship from experienced professionals across healthcare, education, and nonprofit leadership
• Hands-on experience and portfolio-building work in a mission-driven organization

Preferred Backgrounds / Fields of Study

• Nursing (BSN programs)
• Pre-Med / Pre-Health
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Public Health
• Health Sciences
• Exercise Physiology
• Diabetes Education

Students who have completed coursework in anatomy, physiology, or health sciences may find this role particularly valuable.

Experience with Type 1 diabetes is helpful but not required.

Skills & Qualities We Look For

• Interest in pediatric healthcare or chronic disease management
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfort working with children and families
• Ability to stay calm and focused in dynamic environments
• Curiosity and eagerness to learn
• Responsibility and attention to detail

Why This Internship Is Unique

This internship provides hands-on exposure to real-time pediatric diabetes care outside of a traditional clinical setting.

Interns develop experience in:

• Diabetes technology and management
• Patient education and health coaching
• Pediatric care and communication
• Leadership and teamwork in healthcare settings

This experience may support clinical hours or experiential learning requirements depending on university guidelines.