Child Life Spec - Dog Handler

Child Life Spec - Dog Handler

Position Details

Position Summary

This position plans and provides therapeutic intervention and appropriate psychosocial developmental care utilizing a hospital facility dog with pediatric patients and their families, assisting them in coping with the stress and anxiety of healthcare experiences, and maximizing the growth and development of infants, children and adolescent patients. Serves as the primary handler of a facility dog in every day work.

Position Duties

• Primary handler of a Child Life facility dog.
  
  • Utilizes the facility dog to enhance clinical practice and meet patient goals within the child life specialist professional scope of practice. Assesses the development of patient and other situational factors in order to individualize facility dog interventions to meet patient goals.
  
  • Actively participants in interdisciplinary rounds and evaluations as a member of the treatment team. Collaborates and co-treats with interdisciplinary staff to provide therapeutic animal-assisted interactions that will assist the patient and family with coping related to hospitalization and/or illness. Provides teaching and psychological preparation for potentially stressful experiences with infants, children, adolescents, and families.
  
  • Collaborates with staff and volunteers in the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) program, accepting/coordinating referrals from the AAT Coordinator and referring requests to the AAT program.
  
  • Assesses both the animal and patient for stress signals and any discomfort during facility dog interventions. Maintains safety of the facility dog and others at all times in challenging and stimulating environments.
  
  • Prioritizes high workload effectively and adapts to frequently changing priorities. Engages in marketing and media activities for the AAT program while adhering to all hospital policies.
  
  • Takes possession of the facility dog under the supervision of the service dog organization field trainer. Maintains the safety, health, grooming, and behavior of the facility dog according to hospital policy and guidelines.
• Documents patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the medical record.
  
• Provides a safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for infants, children, adolescents, and families.
  
  • Participates in the training, supervision, and evaluation of Child Life Assistants, Child Life student interns, and volunteers.
  
  • Escorts and facilitates social/ positive interactions between patients and special visitors, guests, or entertainers.
• Represents and communicates family centered philosophy on departmental and hospital-wide committees.
  
• Participates in continuing education programs and remains abreast of advances in Child Life and programs for hospitalized children. Provides interdisciplinary in-service education on growth and development, child life, animal-assisted interventions, and the impact of illness, injury, and healthcare on patients and their families.
  
• Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.
  

Phoenix Children's Mission, Vision, & Values

To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families

Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.

We realize this vision by:

• Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
• Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
• Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
• Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families

• We place children and families at the center of all we do
• We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
• We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
• We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
• We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable