What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Dog Handler position at Children's Minnesota?
About Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children’s Minnesota is one system serving kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary care clinics, multiple specialty clinics and seven rehabilitation sites. As The Kids Experts™ in our region, Children’s Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital. Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.
Children’s Minnesota is proud to be recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 2023’s Top Diversity Leaders. The national honor recognizes the top diverse healthcare executives and organizations influencing public policy, care delivery, and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations and the industry.
Department Overview
Position Summary
The Medical Dog Handler position serves as a handler for an assigned dog, providing clinical interventions that meet the diverse psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and their families. This role supports medical staff across various settings, focusing on reducing distress, enhancing developmental integrity, and promoting adaptive coping through therapeutic interventions. During times when the dog is not with patients, the Medical Dog Handler will fulfill the same duties as a Child Life Specialist, Music Therapist, etc., consistent with their training and experience.
Children’s Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children’s Minnesota is one system serving kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary care clinics, multiple specialty clinics and seven rehabilitation sites. As The Kids Experts™ in our region, Children’s Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital. Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.
Children’s Minnesota is proud to be recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 2023’s Top Diversity Leaders. The national honor recognizes the top diverse healthcare executives and organizations influencing public policy, care delivery, and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations and the industry.
Department Overview
The Child Life group promotes the continuous development of children to optimize their responses to medical care, to minimize psychological stress and trauma, and to increase understanding and coping with illness and health care experiences. Child Life provides children with opportunities for gaining a sense of mastery, for play, for learning, for self-expression, for family involvement and for peer interaction. As members of the health care team, child life staff advocate for children and families in ambulatory and inpatient settings. They serve as resources to all staff and to the community on issues related to child development and child health experiences.
Position Summary
The Medical Dog Handler position serves as a handler for an assigned dog, providing clinical interventions that meet the diverse psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and their families. This role supports medical staff across various settings, focusing on reducing distress, enhancing developmental integrity, and promoting adaptive coping through therapeutic interventions. During times when the dog is not with patients, the Medical Dog Handler will fulfill the same duties as a Child Life Specialist, Music Therapist, etc., consistent with their training and experience.
Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
The posted salary represents a market competitive range based on salary survey benchmark data for similar roles in the local or national market. When determining individual pay rates, we carefully consider a wide range of factors including but not limited to market indicators for the specific role, the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate, internal equity and organizational needs.
In addition to your salary, this position may be eligible for medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other fringe benefits. Positions that require night, weekend or on-call work may be eligible for shift differentials or premium pay.
All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of an occupational health assessment, drug screen, background investigation, and compliance with the U.S. Government Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
Children’s Minnesota is proud to be an equal opportunity employer whose staff is representative of its community and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
- Certification as a Child Life Specialist by the Child Life Certification Commission or certification/licensure in related field or certified in their related field (music therapy, rec therapy, art therapy)
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
Education:
- Bachelor's degree required, in Child Life, Child Development, Recreational Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy or related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years' experience working in a clinical pediatric setting as a Certified Child Life Specialist or related field.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Strong understanding of child development and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to create a safe and supportive environment for patients and families.
- Experience in handling or working with dogs preferred.
The posted salary represents a market competitive range based on salary survey benchmark data for similar roles in the local or national market. When determining individual pay rates, we carefully consider a wide range of factors including but not limited to market indicators for the specific role, the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate, internal equity and organizational needs.
In addition to your salary, this position may be eligible for medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other fringe benefits. Positions that require night, weekend or on-call work may be eligible for shift differentials or premium pay.
All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of an occupational health assessment, drug screen, background investigation, and compliance with the U.S. Government Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
Children’s Minnesota is proud to be an equal opportunity employer whose staff is representative of its community and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
