Hospital Dog Coordinator- University of Oklahoma Medical Center

Position Title:

Hospital Dog Coordinator- University of Oklahoma Medical Center

Department:

Child Life and Therapeutic Programs - Adult

Job Description:

General Description:

Under minimal supervision, determines, develops and implements hospital dog program to support patients, families and staff through animal assisted therapy, acting as primary dog handler/caregiver during both working and non-working hours.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position.  Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position. 

• Represents an innovative hospital therapy/comfort/service dog program at OU Health to the hospital and the community.
• Develops and implements programming for facilitating dog support to patients, families and staff. 
• Supports dog program in clinical settings, urgent needs, long-term patients, chronic diagnoses and other high-need populations, as well as play and events that impact patient's socio-emotional needs.
• Creates opportunities for public relations interest, outreach events, fundraisers and educational presentations about both the hospital dog program and volunteer-based pet therapy dog program.
• Collaborates on grants for sustainability of the program. 
• Maintains and initiates partnerships in the community.
• Coordinates hospital dog support for health care team. 
• Works collaboratively on team and across hospital departments, including collaboration with volunteer-based pet therapy team.
• Serves as primary dog handler/caregiver, responsible for all food, shelter, grooming, veterinary, transportation and daily care needs of the hospital dog both during work and non-work hours (in and out of the facility), in collaboration with a secondary handler. 
• Fulfills contract obligations and remains in good standing with Canine Assistants and/or similar oversight organizations.

General Responsibilities:

Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life, Psychology, Child Development, Social Work, Public Health, Communication, Public Relations or related field

Experience: At least three (3) years of experience working in hospital setting and/or working with patient's and families

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required:  None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Excellent verbal and writing skills to include excellent interpersonal communication skills. Excellent public speaking and instruction skills. 
• Awareness of sensory experiences of the hospital environment. 
• Knowledge of animal assisted therapy and/or service dog evidence-based practices, research and theory. 
• Working knowledge of patient and family needs and ability to perform basic patient and family assessments.  
• Working knowledge of trends and opportunities in outreach, fundraising, health education programming and public relations. 
• Good technology skills. 
• Ability to care for a dog.

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OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.