Primary Location College Hill Campus
Department Child Life & Integrative Care
Shift Day (United States of America)
Schedule Full time
Weekly Hours 40
FTE 1
Employee Status Regular
- Expected Starting Pay Range $18.16 - $22.25
- Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.
Clinical Assistant/Facility Dog Handler for Pediatric Behavioral Health
Location: College Hill Campus, 5642 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati OH 45224
Status : Full-Time, 40 hours/week
Position Summary
The Facility Dog Handler is responsible for integrating a professionally trained facility dog into the pediatric behavioral health setting to support patient therapeutic goals and staff wellbeing. This role delivers structured, trauma-informed interventions while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, safety, and clinical alignment. Initially housed within the Child Life Program, the role will transition to Spiritual Care, requiring flexibility in approach while maintaining interdisciplinary collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical & Therapeutic Support
Facilitate goal-directed patient interactions that support:
Emotional regulation
Anxiety reduction
Engagement in care and therapy
Partner with behavioral health clinicians to integrate the dog into care plans where appropriate
Apply trauma-informed practices in all patient interactions
Staff Support & Wellbeing
Conduct structured staff support rounds
Provide stress-reduction interventions and brief restorative interactions
Collaborate with leadership on staff wellbeing initiatives
Program Operations
Manage daily scheduling of visits (patient and staff)
Triage and prioritize referrals based on need and appropriateness
Track encounters and outcomes per program metrics
Maintain documentation aligned with hospital standards
Animal Welfare & Safety
Ensure the facility dog’s physical and emotional wellbeing
Adhere to all infection prevention, safety, and risk management policies
Monitor dog workload (visits/day, rest periods, stress signals)
Maintain certification and ongoing training for both handler and dog
Education & Program Development
Educate staff on safe and effective interactions with the facility dog
Support program growth, evaluation, and reporting
Participate in interdisciplinary committees as needed
Preferred Qualifications and Education
Bachelor’s degree in Divinity, Psychology, Social Work, or related field
Experience in pediatric behavioral health or trauma-informed care
Strong interpersonal and de-escalation skills
Experience with animal-assisted interventions or facility dog programs
Experience supporting staff wellbeing initiatives
About Us
At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.
Cincinnati Children's is:
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding
Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025) , America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
Consistently certified as great place to work
A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability
Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
We Embrace Innovation—Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.
Comprehensive job description provided upon request.
Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability
