Child Life Specialist Facility Dog Handler

Temple, TX

$5000 Sign on Bonus!

Relocation Assistance

JOB SUMMARY

The Child Life Specialist Facility Dog Handler will integrate goal directed animal assisted therapy using a specially trained facility dog from Canine Companions or another approved training program. The handler will utilize the facility dog to provide emotional, social and developmental support, and add to the quality of care throughout the challenges of illness, or injury, including end of life and bereavement. 

• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE
• Works to give psychosocial care and as an advocate for pediatric patients to ensure they are receiving medical care under the most optimal and positive circumstances.
• Provides therapeutic medical play and preparation sessions with patients and families that effectively facilitate a solid knowledge of medical procedures and appropriate coping strategies.
• Provides therapeutic opportunities and encounters that facilitate a patient's expression and knowledge of feelings associated with medical experiences, illness and/or handicaps.
• Provides emotional support to families and patients through a variety of interventions that promote acceptance of, and coping with, illness and medical encounters. Participates in planning safe, appropriate developmentally supportive environments for patients and families in a professional way.
• Provides age and developmentally appropriate activities that effectively promote the cognitive and emotional growth of patients.
• Functions as an effective and contributing member of multidisciplinary teams to further improve the medical experience of patients and families. Communicates any relevant observations on patients to other members of the health care team in formal written (charting) and verbal formats. Provides orientation and teaching of appropriate concepts of the field of Child Life to volunteers, medical and nursing students as the opportunities arise.
• Coordinates and plans special events for patients (i.e., birthday parties, celebrity visitors, etc.), as needed.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

• Possesses expansive knowledge of child development, child life theory and evidence-based practice, and childhood trauma and grief and therapeutic interventions.
• Demonstrates exceptional verbal and non-verbal communication skills including; developmentally-appropriate verbiage, facial expressions, effective listening, emotional regulation, empathy, social awareness, relationship management, self-awareness, affective matching and presentation skills.
• Displays cultural expertise and is respectful of patients, families and medical staff with diverse spiritual, ethnic, language, educational and socio-economic differences.
• Possesses effective time-management and prioritization skills for all child life tasks and responsibilities as well as comfort and confidence working with minimal supervision.
• Proactively seeks out opportunities to give education to medical staff about child life services.
• Advocates for psychosocial well-being of children. Manages the intense emotional stress inherent when working with children and families experiencing serious illness or injury, end-of-life, death and bereavement.
• Possesses excellent documentation skills with appropriate verbiage, punctuation, spelling and professional tone.
• Cert Child Life Specialist (CCLS) OR obtain certification within 3 months of hire.

BENEFITS

Our competitive benefits package includes the following

• Immediate eligibility for health and welfare benefits
• 401(k) savings plan with dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%
• Tuition Reimbursement
• PTO accrual beginning Day 1

Note: Benefits may vary based on position type and/or level

QUALIFICATIONS

• EDUCATION - Bachelor's
• EXPERIENCE - Less than 1 Year of Experience
• CERTIFICATION/LICENSE/REGISTRATION -  Basic Life Support (BLS): BLS or BLS within 30 days of hire or transfer.
   Cert Child Life Specialist (CCLS): Cert Child Life Specialist (CCLS) OR obtain certification within 1 year of hire.
  
  

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About Baylor Scott & White Health

Baylor Scott & White Health (BSWH) is the largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas and one of the largest in the United States. With a commitment to and a track record of innovation, collaboration, integrity and compassion for the patient, BSWH stands to be one of the nation’s exemplary health care organizations. Our mission is to serve all people by providing personalized health and wellness through exemplary care, education and research as a Christian ministry of healing. Joining our team is not just accepting a job, it’s accepting a calling!

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