Facility Dog Program Coordinator

SHIFT: Day (United States of America) Seeking Breakthrough Makers Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation. At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care—and your career. CHOP’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children. We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. A Brief Overview Responsible for development, coordination, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive Animal‑Assisted Therapy Program to support the emotional, developmental, and social needs of children in the healthcare setting. This includes collaboration with service dog organizations, assessment and delegation of animal‑assisted therapy needs across the enterprise, identification and professional development of facility dog handlers, and oversight of day‑to‑day operations. The facility dog program coordinator will continuously develop strategies and ongoing improvement processes to provide a robust, safe, therapeutic, and expanded facility dog program to patients and families. The facility dog program coordinator will provide opportunities for children to gain a sense of mastery, offering play and learning experiences and encouraging peer interaction through involvement in animal‑assisted therapy. What you will do Program Development: Assesses ongoing animal‑assisted therapy needs across the organization, including possible expansion of Facility Dog services to offsite locations. Keeps abreast of changing legal climate as it relates to service animals, emotional support animals, therapy animals, and acts as a resource across the enterprise on those topics. Works closely with local and/or national pet therapy organizations to keep informed regarding trends, research and best practices. Collaborates with Infection Prevention and Control, Risk Management, manager and others to review, revise and develop clinical policies and procedures to reflect hospital and professional practice standards. Assess, develop, and/or deliver educational trainings for healthcare professionals across the enterprise for matters including but not limited to evidence‑based practices related to animal‑assisted therapies, developmental care, language and preparation, coping facilitation and pain management techniques. Works with manager and child life leadership to develop and implement recognition opportunities and/or events, as well as professional development opportunities, as an effort to acknowledge and support the contributions of facility dog handlers. Works with manager in understanding business needs for the program to proactively plan for future program growth. Serves on hospital‑wide committees upon request. Program Management: Develops and adheres to protocols for animal‑assisted therapy referrals. Assists with fulfilling patient/family or staff requests, and coordination of schedules for facility dog visits and/or provides handoff of referrals/requests to Volunteer Animal Assisted Activities Program Coordinator, as appropriate. Consults with Infection Prevention and Control and other disciplines, to coordinate and oversee facility dog visit requests for extenuating circumstances and to ensure compliance with CHOP animal visitation policies. Collaborates with manager, Marketing, Public Relations and Development departments, as necessary. Collaborates with manager and Development department staff to provide necessary information for grant and donor proposals, upon request. Collaborates with Volunteer Animal Assisted Activities Coordinator to evaluate overall pet therapy program needs across the enterprise, ensuring available resources are assigned appropriately. Serves as a clinical mentor for child life staff and facility dog handlers in basic and advanced areas of clinical decision‑making. Orients, supervises, and provides feedback to child life students. Canine Management and Care: Responsible for overall management and communication with service dog organization, related to any facility dog’s behavioral issues or training opportunities. Collaborates with the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to facilitate initial and ongoing medical and behavioral assessments and serves as point person for maintenance of canine records and invoice remittance to Office Coordinator for payment. Provides initial and ongoing feedback and coaching to facility dog handlers as an effort to provide optimal therapeutic interventions to patients. Periodically shadows facility dog teams to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures. Provides supervision and care for one facility dog as well as oversight of all animals working within the animal‑assisted therapy program. Ensures compliance with grooming and veterinary needs for own dog as set forth by CHOP’s Facility Dog Primary Handler Agreement and the service dog organization. Established and maintains a dog‑friendly environment throughout the enterprise, and while at home for own dog, in accordance with facility dog program guidelines. Clinical Excellence: Provides expert child life services to patients and family members, including developmentally appropriate therapeutic activities, education, procedural preparation, coping facilitation, and support as it relates to their illness and medical treatment with facility dog, as appropriate. Assesses coping styles of patient and family to develop therapeutic plan of care, utilizing animal‑assisted therapy that establishes short‑term and long‑term goals. Utilizes the facility dog to assist patients and families in coping with the stress of hospitalization, illness, death and/or loss. Documents all patient interventions in the medical record. Facilitates staff support sessions with the facility dog. Available to work with own facility dog, co‑treating with Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, or other clinical services as needed. Participates in off‑shift (nights, weekends, and holidays) coverage, as assigned. Quality/Process Improvement: Documents own facility dog visits into the medical record daily. Conducts chart audits to ensure all facility dog handlers are complaint in documenting all clinical interactions and deferrals. Addresses any deficiencies to appropriate leader. Tracks and utilizes facility dog metrics (including but not limited to: number of patient visits, percentage of therapeutic goals identified & met) to achieve expected results. Promotes evidence‑based practice and provides education to key stakeholders. Participates in research project(s). Promotes ideas for research in conjunction with partners at Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Education Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree Child Life, Child Development or Related Required Master’s Degree Child Life, Child Development or Related Preferred Experience Qualifications At least five (5) years Experience working with children and adolescents. Required At least two (2) years Program development and policy management. Preferred At least two (2) years Experience managing teams. Preferred Skills and Abilities Minimum 5 years of experience with high proficiency in human relation skills. (Required proficiency) Strong animal behavior assessment skills. (Required proficiency) Strong animal handling skills. (Required proficiency) Animal‑Assisted Therapy/Pet Therapy programming skills. (Required proficiency) Familiarity with therapy dog programs and its benefits. (Required proficiency) Experience as a pet therapy volunteer or facility dog handler. (Required proficiency) Strong knowledge of infant, child, and adolescent growth and development. (Required proficiency) Ability to think and work independently, strategically, and analytically. (Required proficiency) Excellent communication in all forms, and platform/presentation skills. (Required proficiency) Ability to lead projects and create an inclusive environment relating to persons of all diverse backgrounds. (Required proficiency) Possess high level of organizational skills and ability to work in a complex environment. (Required proficiency) Experience working with all levels of staff up to senior management. (Required proficiency) Works collaboratively and in a positive manner with others. (Required proficiency)Ability to set goals and judge results in accordance with the highest standards. (Required proficiency) Advance care through development of new ideas and technology. (Required proficiency) Promote teamwork to achieve CHOP’s mission. (Required proficiency) Understand and exceed customer expectations. (Required proficiency) Licenses and Certifications Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) - Association of Child Life Professionals - upon hire - Required To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive an annual influenza vaccine. Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed. EEO / VEVRAA Federal Contractor | Tobacco Statement #J-18808-Ljbffr Dormont Manufacturing Co