Huntsville Hospital Health System·Huntsville, Alabama
Implement quality interactions using a facility dog to support the emotional, developmental, and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients. Assist patients in meeting medical goals and encourage interaction among families and peers through dog-assisted interventions.
Overview To implement and provide quality interactions utilizing a facility dog in order to support the emotional, physical, and psychosocial needs of patients in a health care setting. To provide opportunities for patients and families to engage in positive, therapeutic coping during hospitalization and end of life, to assist patients in meeting medical goals, and to provide family support through facility dog interventions. This position will answer consults to adult palliative and hospice patients as well as other various units at our adult hospital.
EDUCATION: Require Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, counseling, child life, social work or other mental health field. EXPERIENCE: Preferred experience in palliative and or hospice. About Us Highlights of our hospitals Huntsville Hospital was recently named Best Regional Hospital and #2 in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report. With 971 beds, a specialized Orthopedic & Spine Tower, a Level III Regional Neonatal ICU, and the largest Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma Center in the state with our own specialized Red Shirt Trauma Program, there are many opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills. We are a certified Primary Stroke Center and named "One of the Top 100 Hospitals in the Nation with Great Heart Programs." From six cath labs and four EP labs to multiple medical and step-down units, you can continually grow your skillset! We offer a training center on campus for continuing education, Shared Governance Program, Clinical Ladder for professional development, The Daisy Award, and if you are a new grad, a Nurse Residency Program to help you transition from student to professional nurse. We care about you and your well-being by offering an excellent benefits package, childcare, health and wellness programs, an onsite employee pharmacy, a free health clinic, tuition assistance, and much more. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are a partner to the U.S. Army’s Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program. Ask us about incentives and additional opportunities. Huntsville Hospital Benefits: We are committed to providing competitive benefits. Our benefits package for eligible employees includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending; short term and long term disability; several retirement account options with 401K organization match; nurse residency program; tuition assistance; student loan reimbursement; On-site training and education opportunities; Employee Discounts to phone providers, local restaurants, tickets to shows, apartment application and much more! Learn more about Huntsville Hospital Health System: Careers: https://careers.hhsys.org/careers-home
https://careers.hhsys.org/why-hh-health/benefits/benefits-at-huntsville-hospital/ Education & Professional Development: https://www.huntsvillehospital.org/education Life In Huntsville: https://www.huntsvillehospital.org/about-huntsville-al
A Bachelor's degree is required for this position. Candidates must have at least one year of experience providing patient care within a hospital environment.
Market context
In Alabama, facility dog handler openings are typically limited and can draw candidates with both animal-handling and patient-care backgrounds. These roles are competitive because employers often look for a bachelor’s degree, hospital-based patient care experience, and comfort working in clinical settings with patients and staff. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then tailor your application to highlight hospital experience and any therapy-animal or patient-support work.
