Pawprints Facility Dog Handler/Child Life Specialist

Company: Boston Children's Hospital
Location: Boston
Posted on: May 21, 2025

Job Description:

Hybrid (1 day remote, 4 days in-person)
3 years Philanthropy funded role

Pawprints Facility Dog Handler/Certified Child Life Specialist

1. Partners with a trained Facility Dog to provide comprehensive child life services and therapeutic
interventions in a variety of clinical settings.
2. Assesses, plans, designs and evaluates program and interventional strategies to meet broad
range of patients' age specific developmental and behavioral needs based on Child Life
competencies. Facilitates adjustment to healthcare experience. Monitors and evaluates patient
status and program effectiveness, modifying or adapting programs as needed.
3. Develops and maintains supportive relationships with patients and families. Identifies specific
and/or special needs of patients and families and incorporates into patient care as appropriate
based on Child Life competencies. Provides advocacy and initiates referral to services within the
hospital and community as needed. Educates patients, parents and siblings regarding impact of
hospitalization and therapeutic role of daily activities.
4. Maintains all requirements for the Facility Dogs as set by TBD regarding dog's certification,
hours worked, weight management, veterinary care, home environment, grooming, training and
reporting.
5. Continually assesses and prioritizes health and safety of the Facility Dog, ensuring it receives
adequate rest, play and toileting breaks throughout the work shift.
6. Helps to develop the clinical education, learning, and supervision of student interns. Serves as
liaison to academic supervisor, department director and other department staff. Delegates routine
patient care responsibilities to Activity Assistant and/or volunteers as appropriate. Provides
direction, supervision and follow up as needed to ensure duties are performed according to
established standards, guidelines and instruction.
7. Develops and maintains advancing knowledge of current trends, practices and techniques
through participation in professional organizations, attendance at conferences, seminars and
other continuing education programs. Serves as a resource to hospital and department staff in
areas of expertise. Serves as an accessible, effective resource and provides in service programs
for department staff.
8. Serves as a member and leader of the department and interdisciplinary team. Communicates
issues as they arise to the director of Child Life Services and/or nursing leadership. Assists in the
orientation of new staff. Promotes an environment that fosters professional growth

Bachelor's Degree required (Child Life or a closely related field and Child Life Internship)
Requires minimum of 2 years' experience working as a Certified Child Life Specialist in a clinical setting; 1 year at BCH.
Obtain within 6 months: Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist Certification

Eligible for certification as a Child Life Specialist by the Child Life Certification Commission. 2. Requires minimum of 2 years' experience working as a Certified Child Life Specialist in a clinical setting; 1 year at BCH. 3. Requires application acceptance, Facility Dog placement and official team training by dog organization. 4. Analytical ability to assess patient needs and develop and provide appropriate services. 5. Interpersonal skills to work productively with patients, families, health care professionals and other members of the community. 6. Technical knowledge related to the provision of Child Life services.

Boston Children's Hospital offers competitive compensation and unmatched benefits including flexible schedules, affordable health, vision and dental insurance, child care and student loan subsidies, generous levels of time off, 403(b) Retirement Savings plan, Pension, Tuition and certain License and Certification Reimbursement, cell phone plan discounts and discounted rates on T-passes. Experience the benefits of passion and teamwork.

Keywords: Boston Children's Hospital, Pawtucket , Pawprints Facility Dog Handler/Child Life Specialist, Professions , Boston, Rhode Island