Responsibilities:

• Utilizes the facility dog to provide therapeutic interventions in a variety of clinical settings including the inpatient units and outpatient areas.
• Functions as a key member of the healthcare team, communicating all relevant developmental and psychosocial information to other team members via charting, participation in team meetings, etc.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of special events and programming that involve the facility dog.
• Develops and assists with projects addressing the needs of patients and families in line with the goals of the facility dog program and are identified by the child life staff.
• Develops and implements educational seminars that address psychosocial needs and challenges of hospitalization and the clinical benefits of utilizing a therapy dog.
• Maintains all requirements for dog handling set out by Canine Assistants regarding weight management, vet care, home environment, grooming, recurrent teaching, and reporting.
• Assesses the needs of the dog throughout the work shift to provide adequate rest and down time.
• Maintains program statistics to assess and evaluate quality of programming and to make necessary adjustments.
• Facilitates animal care and activities in a manner that ensures cleanliness and prevention of infection.
• Documents interactions and program validity accurately in medical and other records as needed.
• Collaborates with clinical staff to create opportunities for the facility dog to be included in applicable research.
• Attends approved events with the facility dog in accordance with applicable Cleveland Clinic, Canine Assistants and/or Joy in Childhood Foundation Dogs for Joy Program requirements.
• Assesses the developmental, social and physical needs of assigned population and provides appropriate interventions, such as preparations and therapeutic play integrating the facility dog.
• Facilitates patient and parent adjustment to the healthcare environment utilizing the facility dog as appropriate.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for assigned administrative tasks.
• Maintains professional development and competency.
• Contributes to planning and control processes of the budget by participating in the development and maintenance of inventory.

Education:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in child life or child development related field.

Certifications:

• Must have completed an approved Child Life Internship, minimum of 480 hours, under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Child life specialists must have or earn professional certification (CCLS) through the Association of Child Life Professionals within a year of appointment, and maintain the certification throughout their employment.
• Must sit for exam at least annually until certification obtained.
• Proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) certification must be obtained within one year of hire.
• Must have completed required training and received certification from Canine Assistants.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of two years and 4,000 hours of professional Child Life clinical experience working as a Certified Child Life Specialist in a pediatric healthcare setting preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires full range of body motion including but not limited to handling and lifting patients, handling a facility dog, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• Requires working under stressful conditions and irregular hours. Exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids.
• Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required for procedures.