How to become a clown doctor

Mastery of improvisation and entertainment techniques is the basis for eligibility to be a clown doctor. Among the essential qualities for this work are an ability to listen, sensitivity, emotional stability, dedication and professionalism. The candidates will already have many artistic skills such as magic, acting, story-telling, mime, balloon sculpture, and juggling, and through our training programme will learn to develop these skills and adapt them to each child’s need in widely differing situations.

When the Trust is ready to recruit clown doctor candidates, they will contact all those who have been in touch with them about the role, and also may advertise in local papers. Submitted application forms will be read by a panel and a shortlist is then created. Each candidate will be interviewed, will be asked to perform an improvisation and will be observed attending an experienced clown doctor's ward-round in hospital.

There is no guarantee that once accepted onto the training programme the candidate will become a clown doctor. The process is one of continual assessment, by the candidate and the Trust.