Job vacancies at Medical Detection Dogs

THE JOB

The welfare of our dogs is very important to us. We have a no kennel policy and all our dogs live in the homes of volunteer puppy socialisers for about the first 20 months. We are committed to providing quality training and support for all our dogs, and the volunteers who look after them.

We are looking for someone with the skills, experience and passion to join our team of trainers responsible for organising and monitoring the progress of our puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training, thereby maximising their chances of becoming a Medical Detection Dog.

Reports to: Socialising Training Coordinator

Responsibilities  

Training and Development of Puppies

• Take responsibility for a cohort of puppies allocated to socialisers living in your geographical area.
• Provide training that meets the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets.
• To deliver effective training by holding puppy classes, 121’s and home visits with socialisers in your geographical area.
• To prepare the puppy to be a Medical Alert Assistance Dog.
• Regularly monitor progress of the puppies in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to the senior team within Dog Supply and training.
• Support and assist with the potential matches for a particular assistance dog partnership and in consultation with the Socialising Trainer Coordinator, provide any client specific training needed prior to the match.

Socialiser Support 

• Be the first point of contact for the socialisers in your area, which will include guidance and instruction to socialisers on handling, behaviour and training of the dogs under your supervision.
• Provide general health care advice within your core working hours.
• To support when required on dog emergencies that arise out of your core hours.

Socialiser Recruitment 

• Assist in the recruitment of new volunteer socialisers.
• Carry out home checks to assess prospective new socialisers.

Other 

• Update the Harlequin CRM database in a timely fashion to ensure accurate and up to date training, veterinary and health records.
• Support the charity’s fundraising, communications and volunteering teams as required, specifically in relation to your area.
• From time to time you may be required to have a dog live with you for additional training for a set period.
• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity

Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager required to ensure the successful running of the charity.

  PERSON SPECIFICATION

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Ability to demonstrate high quality judgement and a proven track record in relation to the following:
• Dog training matters including the analysis of temperaments, appropriate training methods and requirements necessary to maintain public confidence in assistance dogs.
• Solutions to training and behavioural problems.
• Socialiser training including the ability to assess each person’s preferred learning style and adapt as appropriate your training approach, the specific programmes to be followed,
• Welfare and safety and appropriate time for referral to others.
• Appropriate support to apprentices
• Dealings with other staff, clients and members of the public
• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills.
• Ability to plan work, be organised and ensure that time is utilised effectively for yourself, colleagues and socialisers.
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of people internally and externally. This will include clients and their families, fosterers, other professional service providers, members of the public, the media, managers and other colleagues.
• High level of IT literacy and report writing skills including experience of using Microsoft based programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet Explorer and Power Point.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Practical knowledge in the following areas:
• AD(UK) and ADI regulations
• Basic theory of practical dog training.
• Law in relation to dogs.
• Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age.
• Dog and human psychology.
• Health and safety implications of dog and socialiser handling.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself.   

You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.

Values & Behaviours

There are a few key values that we believe are important in the workplace:

• Respect
• Cooperation
• Honesty
• Fairness

Based on the values listed above, we encourage the behaviours below in the charity:

• Respectful communication
• Cooperating with others
• Honesty in all interactions
• Fairness in decision making

And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors.

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

– Hold a full UK Driving Licence

– Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK.

– Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

– Work some evenings and weekends