Clinical Facility Dog Handler - Child Life

About the role

As a Facility Dog Handler, you will utilize goal-directed Animal-Assisted Therapy interventions to support patients, their families and Cleveland Clinic caregivers with various healthcare needs. With compassion and empathy, you will provide emotional, behavioral, receptive/expressive, cognitive and physical support, using the Facility Dog to facilitate a fun way to engage patients in their treatment throughout Northeast Ohio. This role offers an excellent opportunity to not only enhance the continuum of care but also grow your skills in behavioral health, animal handling and direct patient interactions.

Responsibilities

• Utilize the facility dog to provide therapeutic interventions in a variety of clinical settings, including the inpatient units and outpatient areas.
• Function as a key member of the healthcare team, communicating all relevant developmental and psychosocial information to other team members via charting, participation in team meetings, etc.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of special events and programming that involve the facility dog.
• Develop and assist with projects addressing the needs of patients and families in line with the goals of the facility dog program and are identified by the Child Life, Therapy Services, and/or other teams.
• Develop and implement educational seminars that address psychosocial needs and challenges of hospitalization and the clinical benefits of utilizing a facility dog.
• Maintain all requirements for dog handling set out by the placement facility dog organization regarding weight management, vet care, home environment, grooming, recurrent teaching and reporting.
• Assess the needs of the dog throughout the work shift to provide adequate rest and down time.
• Maintain program statistics to assess and evaluate the quality of programming and to make necessary adjustments.
• Facilitate animal care and activities in a manner that ensures cleanliness and prevention of infection.
• Document interactions and program validity accurately in medical and other records as needed.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to create opportunities for the facility dog to be included in applicable research.
• Attend approved events with the facility dog.
• Assess the developmental, social and physical needs of assigned population and provide appropriate interventions, such as preparations and therapeutic play integrating the facility dog.
• Provide supervision to volunteers, students and interns.
• Participate in individual and clinical group supervision.
• Facilitate patient and parent adjustment to the healthcare environment utilizing the facility dog as appropriate.
• Assume responsibility and accountability for assigned administrative tasks.
• Contribute to planning and control processes of the budget by participating in the development and maintenance of inventory.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life, Recreational Therapy, Child Development or a related field
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) certification within 90 days of hire
• Completion of required training with certification from the Facility Dog Training Placement Organization
• Comfort working with children and animals

Qualifications

• Five years of experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist or Recreational Therapist in a pediatric healthcare setting

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of pediatric healthcare and therapy techniques

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Retirement savings plans
• Paid time off
• Caregiver discounts
• Adoption assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Hardship Fund
• Paid maternity and parental leave

Pay

Minimum Annual Salary: $43,200.00 Maximum Annual Salary: $65,880.00