Child Life Specialist – Facility Dog Handler

Tenet Healthcare • Detroit, MI

7d • Onsite

About The Position

DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan is committed to providing exceptional patient care in a supportive and collaborative environment. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work with advanced technology and be part of a healthcare community dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our patients.
Job Summary:
Under general supervision, provides child life services for ambulatory and inpatient children and their families. Administers programs and provides services that reduce distress, increase adaptive coping and protect and enhance developmental integrity by offering opportunities to play, learn and interact with others in an emotionally and physically safe environment.
Partners with a trained Facility dog to provide comprehensive child life services and therapeutic interventions in a variety of clinical settings.
Mains all requirements for the Facility Dogs as set by Canine Companions for Independence/Canine Assistants regarding dog’s certification, hours worked, weight management, veterinary care, home environment, grooming, training and reporting.
Continually assesses and prioritizes health and safety of the Facility Dog, ensuring it receives adequate rest, play and toileting breaks throughout the work shift.
Plans and implements a therapeutic play program to help hospitalized and ambulatory patients to adjust to the health care experience. Utilizes therapeutic play techniques, assessments and observations as diagnostic and treatment tools. Documents treatment plans, goals and observations.
Assists in preparing and orienting children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures using developmentally appropriate methods. Provides support and helps facilitate coping through stress reduction techniques.
Provides information, education and support to patients and families on issues pertaining to hospitalization, illness, medical experiences and growth and development. Supports family bonds and utilizes family and cultural strengths to provide consistent and quality care for children.
Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team through program planning and team meetings in order to provide services in a holistic manner. Consults with other team members regarding the developmental status and individual needs of children to promote adaptation to treatment.
Presents educational programs to health care professionals and to the community regarding child health and development, the impact of illness, injury and hospitalization on children and families and parent education.
Collaborates with other professionals regarding the psychosocial, emotional and environmental needs of the child to promote adaptation to hospitalization and treatment. Offers counsel specific to the impact of health care experiences.
Provides guidance and training to child life students and volunteers. Maintains oversight of the Pet Therapy program.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Growth and Development, Recreational Therapy or related field.
• Eligible for certification as a Child Life Specialist by the Child Life Certification Commission.
• 600 hour internship experience including six weeks training in pediatrics preferred.
• Requires minimum of 3 years’ experience working as a Certified Child Life Specialist in a clinical setting.
• Requires application acceptance, facility dog placement and official team training by Canine Companions for Independence/Canine Assistants.
• Analytical ability to assess patient needs and develop and provide appropriate services.
• Interpersonal skills to work productively with patients, families, health care professionals and other members of the community.
• Technical knowledge related to the provision of Child Life services.

Responsibilities

• Provides child life services for ambulatory and inpatient children and their families.
• Administers programs and provides services that reduce distress, increase adaptive coping and protect and enhance developmental integrity by offering opportunities to play, learn and interact with others in an emotionally and physically safe environment.
• Partners with a trained Facility dog to provide comprehensive child life services and therapeutic interventions in a variety of clinical settings.
• Maintains all requirements for the Facility Dogs as set by Canine Companions for Independence/Canine Assistants regarding dog’s certification, hours worked, weight management, veterinary care, home environment, grooming, training and reporting.
• Continually assesses and prioritizes health and safety of the Facility Dog, ensuring it receives adequate rest, play and toileting breaks throughout the work shift.
• Plans and implements a therapeutic play program to help hospitalized and ambulatory patients to adjust to the health care experience.
• Utilizes therapeutic play techniques, assessments and observations as diagnostic and treatment tools.
• Documents treatment plans, goals and observations.
• Assists in preparing and orienting children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures using developmentally appropriate methods.
• Provides support and helps facilitate coping through stress reduction techniques.
• Provides information, education and support to patients and families on issues pertaining to hospitalization, illness, medical experiences and growth and development.
• Supports family bonds and utilizes family and cultural strengths to provide consistent and quality care for children.
• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team through program planning and team meetings in order to provide services in a holistic manner.
• Consults with other team members regarding the developmental status and individual needs of children to promote adaptation to treatment.
• Presents educational programs to health care professionals and to the community regarding child health and development, the impact of illness, injury and hospitalization on children and families and parent education.
• Collaborates with other professionals regarding the psychosocial, emotional and environmental needs of the child to promote adaptation to hospitalization and treatment.
• Offers counsel specific to the impact of health care experiences.
• Provides guidance and training to child life students and volunteers.
• Maintains oversight of the Pet Therapy program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Career development and continuing education opportunities
• Health savings accounts, healthcare & dependent flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
• Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder & childcare, auto & home insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees