Job vacancies at Medical Detection Dogs

Job vacancies

at Medical Detection Dogs

Working for Medical Detection Dogs is an exciting and rewarding experience. We are at the cutting edge of British innovation and collaborate with institutions and healthcare organisations around the world. You can help us achieve our goals and whatever the role you will contribute towards our life-saving work training dogs to save lives using their incredible sense of smell. Our current vacancies are listed below:

Assistance Dog Training Manager

The Job

This role requires someone with previous experience in managing and or leading a Dog Training team within an Assistance Dog Organisation, to take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Assistance Dog training team. The successful candidate will ensure that the team of Assistance Dog Trainers develop our puppies and dogs in advanced to training to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and training, thereby maximising their chances of becoming a Medical Alert Assistance Dog. They will also play a role in the training and development of less experienced members of the team.

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 volunteers until they are about 20 months old. We are committed to providing quality training and support for all our dogs and the volunteers who look after them.

The role involves working collaboratively across teams and managing stakeholders to streamline the process of training and placing Assistance Dogs.

Specific Responsibilities

Puppies:

To liaise with the Dog Supply Advisor on puppy intake
To support and guide the Puppy Assistance Dog Trainers, with all aspects related to socialising and training of puppies from 8 weeks of age to approximately 16 months of age. This will include observing and supporting in:

– Puppy classes

– 1-2-1 training sessions

– Home visits

– Writing up Behaviour Modification Plans

– Any other ad hoc training support

To ensure training records are up to date
To work alongside the Head of Department on the Advanced Trainer pick up schedule, ensuring dogs are put into advanced training at an appropriate standard
To oversee and carry out MDD internal puppy assessment programme – Behaviour Check List (BCL)
To ensure all puppies in the socialising scheme follow MDD Health and Welfare policies and procedures
If and when required, to stay away from home, supporting Puppy Assistance Dog Trainers with their puppies and volunteers who are based in our regional areas
To offer support to dogs and/or volunteers when needed in the absence of the allocated trainer

Advanced Dogs:

To support and guide the Advanced Assistance Dog Trainers and when needed, to support with the training of their advanced group of dogs. This will include:

– Observing dogs in all areas of development

– Giving practical advice and support

– Assisting in writing up training plans

– Any ad hoc training support

To carry out the final assessments of dogs in advanced training
To oversee the preparation of and to deliver in accordance with the instructor pick-up schedule for the MAAD programme dogs within advanced training
Support the Advanced Assistance Dog Trainers with potential matches for a particular client and dog, and to report this progress regularly to the relevant senior staff
To offer support to dogs and/or volunteers when needed in the absence of the allocated trainer

Staff Development:

To work alongside our Assistance Dog Programme Training and Development Coordinator with the training and development of Trainee Assistance Dog Trainers and support in upskilling less experienced Trainers

Puppy Socialiser Recruitment

To monitor and when necessary, highlight to the Head of Canine Supply, Training and Welfare, a shortage of Puppy Socialisers and Temporary Fosterers
When required, assist in the recruitment of new volunteer Puppy Socialisers

Other

To liaise with the Health and Welfare Coordinator on any health issues regarding puppies and dogs within the Assistance Dog Training Scheme
To liaise with the Instructor Manager on any dogs that are entering or currently in the Medical Alert Assistance Dog (MAAD) programme.
From time to time, you may be required to have a dog living with you for additional training for a set period
Highlight to the Head of Canine Supply, Training and Welfare in a timely manner, if you feel a dog is not reaching the appropriate standard or may be more suitable for another role. Detailed, evidenced reasons why, must be supplied
To oversee the rehoming of withdrawn puppies and dogs from the Socialising Scheme
To support the Head of Canine Supply, Training and Welfare with the quarterly Trustee reports
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
Share best practice with colleagues across the charity
To be familiar with ADUK and ADI regulations, ensuring that you adhere to these standards with regards to behaviour, obedience, welfare, and branding
To liaise with and provide support for volunteers who may operate as part of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog department or charity as a whole

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 manage and support a highly driven team of dog trainers.
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.
Assistance Dog 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 trainee staff.
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 Puppy 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 and experience in the following areas:

Had management or team leader experience for a minimum of 2 years within an ADUK Dog Training team.
ADUK 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 puppy socialiser handling. Some experience of assisting with the training and development of less experienced colleagues.

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 being 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.

Benefits

Sick Pay
Health Cover
26 days holiday, increasing with service
5% Employer Pension Contribution
Life Assurance
Free On-site parking

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

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this innovative charity that is a world-leader in its specialist field.

JOB TITLE: Assistance Dog Training Manager

LOCATION: Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire (minimum 3 days in office per week)

SALARY: £33,000 – £37,000 based on experience

JOB TYPE: Full-time permanent, with occasional evenings and weekends required

TO APPLY – Please send your current CV with covering letter (no longer than one A4 sheet) stating why you would like the role to hr@medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk

Assistance Dog Trainer (Puppy & Advanced)

The Job

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, when required into advanced training to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and training, thereby maximising their chances of becoming a Medical Detection Dog.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small innovative charity that is a world leader in its specialist field.

Responsibilities

Training and Development of Puppies:

Take responsibility for a group of puppies (approximately 10) allocated to socialisers living in your geographical area
Provide training that adheres to ADUK regulations and MDD quality standards 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
Conduct regular training sessions with assistance dogs in training in various environments to ensure they are confident and responsive in real-world settings
To prepare the puppy to be a Medical Alert Assistance Dog, using positive reinforcement techniques to teach desired behaviours and modify unwanted behaviours
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 when required with the potential matches for a particular assistance dog partnership.
To successfully prepare the puppy to pass the relevant Assistance Dog assessments
Where necessary, highlight to your line manager, any dogs that are not progressing sufficiently through the training programme

Socialiser Support

Be the first point of contact for the socialisers in your area, which will include guidance, support and instruction to socialisers on effective work and training with their assistance dogs
Provide general health care advice within your core working hours

Socialiser Recruitment

When required, assist in the recruitment of new volunteer socialisers
When required, to assess prospective new volunteer socialisers, including home, workplace, pet dog and children assessments

Advanced Assistant Dog Trainer

When required, take dogs home during the advance training period to ensure continuous development and reinforcement of training routines
To arrange the training plan for each dog in advance training that’s under your supervision, including day to day arrangements for training, collection, pick up and holiday cover
To ensure all dogs receive the appropriate training required, to pass their final assessment
To work closely with the Medical Alert Assistance Dog (MAAD) team and to support the final stages of the dogs matching process, including agreeing any client specific queries before carrying out the client and dog meet onsite
To carry out any client specific training on the advanced dogs
When required, to support the dog and client home stay
To work closely with the Health & Welfare team regarding any dogs under their supervision
Complete the appropriate paperwork for training records, assessments and recruitment of volunteers
Report any concerns, communicate feedback and request guidance where appropriate.
To successfully complete the handover of the Assistance dog to the MAAD Instructor, within the timelines agreed
To carry out appropriate feedback to the Dog Supply team on how dogs are progressing under their supervision
To support with the Temporary Fosterer application process and provide support to the Temporary Fosterer’s who may look after advanced dogs in training
Where necessary, highlight to your line manager, any dogs that are not progressing sufficiently through the advanced training programme

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
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

Knowledge & Experience

Experience in training Assistance Dogs
Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in dog training
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
Experience and understanding of ADUK, ADI regulations and MDD’s internal quality standards

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 perception 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
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

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.