Pet Therapy Program Coordinator

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A Brief Overview
Responsible for the coordination of the Gerald B. Shreiber Pet Therapy Program. This includes coordination of the day-to-day activities, maintenance of records, and scheduling, coordination, and mentoring of pet therapy volunteers. The pet therapy coordinator will assist in developing new strategies and ongoing improvement processes to provide a robust, safe and therapeutic service to patients, families, and staff.

What you will do

• Program Coordination:
• Assists with marketing program to patients, community and local/national pet therapy organizations through networking and use of organizational resources.
• Assists with developing and implementing recognition opportunities and/or events as an effort to recruit and retain competent pet therapy volunteers.
• Partners with other CHOP departments to further the goals of the Gerald B. Shreiber Pet Therapy Program
• Serves as a contact for identified departments and/or programs to assure appropriate volunteer support.
• Assists with fulfilling patient/family or staff requests, and coordination of schedules for pet therapy visits and/or appearances.
• Assists with entering volunteers' visits into patients' medical records.
• Collaborates with Development, Marketing, and Public Relations departments, as necessary.
• Volunteer Coordination:
• Recruitment of competent pet therapy volunteers.
• Reviews all pet therapy applications and completes applicant interviews.
• Liaises with Compliance coordinator to ensure applicants' requirements are met
• Maintains records to ensure initial and annual volunteer requirements are met.
• Performs shadowing/training visits under the guidance of the Pet Therapy Manager with active pet therapy volunteers.
• Assists in training of new pet therapy volunteers
• Assists in coordination of dogs' photoshoots for marketing materials
• Provides ongoing support, coaching, and supervision to all pet therapy volunteers.
• Canine Coordination:
• Assists manager in assessing animal's behavior prior to acceptance into the program and during future pet therapy visits.
• Collaborates with the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to facilitate initial and ongoing medical and behavioral assessments of all canine volunteers.
• Periodically shadows pet therapy volunteer teams to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Maintains records for canine to ensure initial and annual requirements are met.
• Verifies insurance coverage of volunteer team and ensures certification requirements are maintained.
• Promotes the program at therapy dog evaluations, when dogs are at the initial testing phase
• Quality/Process Improvement:
• Monitors and maintains daily pet therapy log for Infection Control tracking purposes.
• Tracks and utilizes volunteer metrics (including but not limited to: number of patient visits, percentage of therapeutic goals identified & met, volunteer satisfaction and attrition scores) to achieve expected results.

Education Qualifications

• Associate's Degree Psychology, animal behavior, health, or behavior related field - Required
• Bachelor's Degree Psychology, animal behavior, health, or behavior related field - Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least two (2) years High proficiency in volunteer management or human relations skills - Required and
• Familiarity with therapy dog programs and its benefits - Required and
• Strong animal handling skills - Required
• Animal-Assisted programming skills - Preferred
• Strong animal behavior assessment skills - Preferred
• Experience as a pet therapy volunteer - Preferred
• Child Development knowledge and experience working with children of all ages - Preferred
• Experience volunteering or working in a pediatric healthcare environment - Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of infant, child, and adolescent growth and development. (Required proficiency)
• Strong knowledge of therapeutic play and coping facilitation techniques. (Required proficiency)
• Experience working with children and adolescents strongly preferred. (Required proficiency)
• Applicant must possess the ability to think and work independently, strategically, and analytically. (Required proficiency)
• Must have excellent communication in all forms, and platform/presentation skills. (Required proficiency)
• Possess high level of organizational skills and ability to work in a complex environment.. (Required proficiency)
• Works collaboratively and in a positive manner with others. (Required proficiency)
• Ability to train and supervise volunteers. (Required proficiency)
• Performs work according to CHOP policies and procedures, professional standards of care, and applicable laws. (Required proficiency)
• Ability to set goals and judge results in accordance with the highest standards. (Required proficiency)
• Provide care with sensitivity and respect. (Required proficiency)
• Promote teamwork to achieve CHOP's mission. (Required proficiency)
• Understand and exceed customer expectations. (Required proficiency)

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, professionals working onsite - at any CHOP location, for any portion of time - must be vaccinated for COVID-19. Learn more.

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SALARY RANGE:

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.