What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Child Life Specialist-Primary Facility Dog Handler position at Fairview Health Services?
The Certified Child Life Specialist Primary Facility Dog Handler, in partnership with a facility dog, provides the following: services to pediatric patients and their families to support coping and adaptation to the health care environment, utilizing play as a therapeutic modality. Provides clinical psychosocial services throughout the hospital system based on the competencies of a certified child life specialist (CCLS). The Child Family Life Specialist will function as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, applying a knowledge of child development and family systems to their practice. A primary facility dog handler will demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaborate with other disciplines as well as members of their own department. They will show initiative in creative interventions using facility dog to reach unmet patient treatment goals. This position requires a mastery of child life skills and knowledge to allow for focused growth on animal assisted interventions. Flexibility with daily work and schedule is necessary. Minimum of a BA/BS in child life, therapeutic recreation, family or child development, counseling, child psychology, education, social work, nursing or related fields. Completion of a child life internship with a minimum of 480 hours. CCLS certification through the ACLP required. 3-5 years of child life specialist job experience required.
Responsibilities Job Description
Ability to assess patient and family psychosocial needs and implement therapeutic coping plans, Ability to provide developmentally appropriate preparation, teaching, and education regarding patients’ diagnosis, plan of care, and independent coping skills, Ability to facilitate positive coping experiences and provide developmentally appropriate procedural support during stressful, painful, and traumatic healthcare experiences, Ability to provide opportunities for play for infants, children, youth, and families, Ability to provide opportunities for play for infants, children, youth, and families, Ability to practice within the scope of professional and personal knowledge and skill base including the supervision of students and Utilize and supervise volunteers for child life programming or patient care needs.
Organization Expectations, as applicable:
Demonstrates ability to provide care or service adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level and cultural differences of population served
Partners with patient care giver in care/decision making.
Communicates in a respective manner.
Ensures a safe, secure environment.
Individualizes plan of care to meet patient needs.
Modifies clinical interventions based on population served.
Provides patient education based on as assessment of learning needs of patient/care giver.
Fulfills all organizational requirements
Completes all required learning relevant to the role
Complies with and maintains knowledge of all relevant laws, regulation, policies, procedures and standards.
Fosters a culture of improvement, efficiency and innovative thinking.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- B.S./B.A. with completion of child life internship
- 3 years experience with increasing responsibility and demonstrated leadership
- This position requires the facility dog to live with the child life specialist/primary handler.
- This position will be responsible for transporting the facility dog to medical appointments, grooming appointments, and to/from work each day.
- The individual must commit to educating family on appropriate care of dog and follow expectations and education of breeder specific to facility dog.
- In addition to daily patient care needs, this individual is responsible for providing facility dog with daily care breaks and appropriate assessment and communication of needs.
- CCLS certification
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced Degree
- 5 years experience as a certified child life specialist
- Experience in program development and/or participation in rolling-out new programs or incentives
EEO Statement
EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled: All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to any lawfully protected status
Benefit Overview
Fairview offers a generous benefit package including but not limited to medical, dental, vision plans, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, PTO and Sick and Safe Time, tuition reimbursement, retirement, early access to earned wages, and more! Please follow this link for additional information: https://www.fairview.org/careers/benefits/noncontract
Compensation Disclaimer
The posted pay range is for a 40-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). The actual rate of pay offered within this range may depend on several factors, such as FTE, skills, knowledge, relevant education, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, our organization values pay equity and considers the internal equity of our team when making any offer. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.
