What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Coordinator - Facility Dog Handler position at Duke?
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About Duke University Hospital
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
General Description of the Job Class
Plan, coordinate and administer activities within assigned program areas; develop, coordinate and evaluate recreational programs. Provide patient interventions to promote coping skills, emotional health and overall wellbeing within the hospital setting.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
- Perform the duties described within the Child & Adolescent Life Spec (5018) job description.
- Serves as the sole dog handler in this position, ensuring safety, therapeutic, and developmentally appropriate integration of the dog into clinical practice.
- Provides comprehensive Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and child life services across pediatric settings in DCT and CHC supporting emotional safety, coping, and developmental needs of patients and families.
- Coordinates the referral process for the facility dog and coordinates planning and implementation of special events and programming involving the dog.
- Develop and deliver educational seminars for staff, learners, and community partners highlighting the clinical benefits and best practices of using a facility dog in pediatric healthcare.
- Maintains full compliance with all requirements regarding weight management, vet care, home environment, grooming and reporting.
- Assess the needs of the dog throughout the work shift to provide adequate rest and down time.
- Maintains accurate program data and statistics to support evaluation, quality improvements, and program development.
- Ensures all required patient consent forms, documentation, and media approvals are completed, tracked and stored according to policy.
- Enforces and comply with regulatory, safety and compliance standards including HIPAA, The Joint Commission, infection prevention protocols, and institutional policies related to animal-assisted interventions.
- Conduct individual and group activities designed to improve patient functioning, enhance coping, and increase overall patient satisfaction.
- Apply principles of group dynamics to support patients in achieving their therapeutic or developmental goals.
- Facilitate activities that may take place during evenings, weekends, or outside the hospital setting, as appropriate.
- Supervise and provide training to students, ensuring appropriate guidance, support, and learning opportunities.
- The dog will reside full time with the handler.
- Adhere to all guidelines outlined in the Facility Dog Handbook, including grooming, veterinary care, transporting the dog, etc.
- Perform additional administrative or related duties as required to support departmental operations and patient care.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program. Certified Child Life Specialist.
Experience
Minimum of three years of experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist working with pediatric patients in a hospital setting.
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Proven ability to plan and deliver effective training sessions.
- Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
- Flexibility and adaptability in a wide range of situations.
- Excellent customer service and family‑centered service skills.
- Strong organizational and time‑management abilities.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and professionalism in independent work.
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications
CCLS
Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
- Ability to work interdependently within a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong team‑oriented mindset and collaborative approach.
- Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing needs and environments.
- Builds strong rapport and works effectively with patients, families, and staff.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.