Child Life Facility Dog Handler - Behavioral Health & Wellness Center

About the role

This position provides a comprehensive animal assisted therapy facility dog program that supports the emotional, developmental, and social needs of children in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of functions related to the facility dog and Child Life.
• Captures and cares for one facility dog and oversees all animals working within the animal assisted therapy program.
• Conducts child life assessments and normalizes the hospital environment for patients and families.
• Provides developmentally appropriate interventions for patients and families.
• Plans and implements animal assisted therapy utilizing developmentally appropriate interventions according to the therapeutic plan, targeting specific patient care goals.
• Communicates the benefits of animal assisted therapy to the health care team, as evidenced by participation in interdisciplinary rounds, unit based projects, and/or daily report.
• Maintains Child Life certification by tracking professional development hours per appraisal year.
• Collaborates in an intradepartmental effort to support the mission and vision of the Child Life Department.
• Performs skills of a Child Life Specialist in conjunction with handler role.

Requirements

• Education Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or related field required.
• Experience Qualifications: Successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists required. Clinical internship is a minimum of 600 hours under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist required. Minimum of one year experience as a Child Life Specialist is required. Experience with care of animals is preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires experience with children generally acquired through field experience and a Child Life internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Possesses interpersonal skills which enable the individual to establish professional rapport with patients and families, and possesses assertive skills necessary to advocate effectively for patients and families.

Skills

• Requires experience with children generally acquired through field experience and a Child Life internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Possesses interpersonal skills which enable the individual to establish professional rapport with patients and families, and possesses assertive skills necessary to advocate effectively for patients and families.

Benefits

• $2,000 Hiring Bonus + Relocation offered

Pay

• $50.00 - $55.00/hour

Schedule

• Full-time