Child Life Facility Dog Handler - Behavioral Health & Wellness Center

Child Life Specialist requires successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists required prior to hire. Learn how to become certified:  https://www.childlife.org/certification/become-certified

The Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska is a world-class facility providing the full spectrum of pediatric behavioral and mental health services for children and their families. Located on our main hospital campus to provide a convenient continuum of care, the center will offer a crisis assessment center, behavioral health urgent care, 40 single-occupancy inpatient beds, a partial hospitalization program and outpatient services – all guided by our innovative, trauma-informed model of care.

A Brief Overview

This position provides a comprehensive animal assisted therapy facility dog program that supports the
emotional, developmental, and social needs of children in a health care setting. You'll also provide opportunities
for children to gain a sense of mastery, offering play and learning experiences, and encouraging family and peer
interaction through animal assisted therapy.

Essential Functions

Performs a variety of functions related to the facility dog and Child Life.

• Coordinates and executes safe, therapeutic animal assisted therapy
• Provides supervision and care for one facility dog and oversight of all animals working within the animal assisted therapy program
• Provides child life assessments and normalizes the hospital environment for patients and families
• Conducts formal and informal developmental assessments of psychosocial needs of patients and families, as evidenced by observation or documentation in the medical record
• Promotes and 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, as evidenced by unit peer feedback and documentation in medical record
• Represents and communicates psychosocial issues of pediatric health care and the benefits of animal assisted therapy to professionals outside of child life
• 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 as evidenced by unit leadership team observation and unit peer feedback
• Participates in professional development of self and other child life professionals
• 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
• Effectively promotes high quality animal assisted therapy services by providing timely and honest feedback as evidenced by department peer feedback and/ or observation

Performs skills of a Child Life Specialist in conjunction with handler role.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or related field required
• Successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists required 

Experience Qualifications

• 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

Skills and Abilities

• 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.

Licenses and Certifications

• CCLS - Certified Child Life Specialist within two years of hire date required 
• BCLS - Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association required

Children’s is an equal opportunity employer, embracing and valuing the unique strengths and differences of people. We cultivate an inclusive environment of respect and trust where we all belong. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. 

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