Children's National Hospital
Animal Visitation %26 Therapy Program Associate - PRN
Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
This is a PRN position covering evenings and weekends.
Children's National is seeking an innovative, dynamic, and highly organized individual to assist in expanding, developing, and maintaining the Animal Visitation & Therapy programs within the Child Life and Integrative Care department. The Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist will collaborate with the Program Coordinator to implement and manage Animal Assisted Intervention services, focusing on performance standards aligned with departmental goals. Responsibilities include coordinating volunteer animal visitations, supporting facility dog initiatives, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and enhancing the program's safety and therapeutic impact.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Behavioral Science and Health, Child Life, Social Work, or related field (Required). Masters Degree preferred.
Minimum Work Experience
At least 1 year of related experience working with children and adolescents, preferably in healthcare settings.
Required Skills/Knowledge
Excellent communication, training, and organizational skills.
Ability to work comfortably with diverse populations.
Empathy, motivation, and follow-through skills.
Ability to collaborate within complex teams.
Flexibility to work weekends and off-hours.
Experience with children, adolescents, and young adults.
Ownership of a trained facility dog or willingness to acquire one within the first year.
Required Licenses and Certifications
Professional license in relevant field (Preferred).
Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS) - 1 year required.
Functional Responsibilities
Animal Visitation Programs
Coordinate daily volunteer visitation activities.
Train new volunteers and manage schedules.
Ensure compliance with policies and safety protocols.
Maintain visitation logs and monitor program quality.
Facility Dog Management
Support care and safety of facility dogs.
Ensure grooming and veterinary care adherence.
Reinforce training and behavior standards.
Program Improvement
Identify and implement program enhancements.
Collect and evaluate program metrics.
Organizational Commitments
Provide excellent customer service and teamwork.
Contribute to a positive, safe, and efficient work environment.
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