Training and Partnership Instructor

Medical Detection Dogs; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Medical Detection Dogs is seeking a Training and Partnership Instructor to deliver partnerships from advanced training through placement and ongoing aftercare across the North East region. The role blends dog training, client instruction and partnership delivery with regular travel and some overnight stays.

The candidate should have experience in assistance dog training, strong dog handling, and the ability to work with external providers, contractors and clients to ensure high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in assistance dog training and/or partnership delivery.
• Strong dog handling and behaviour knowledge.
• Experience delivering one-to-one instruction, teaching or coaching.
• Experience working with external providers or contractors.
• Understanding of ADUK standards and assistance dog best practice.
• IT literacy, including Microsoft 365 and CRM systems.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to pass a DBS check.
• Willingness to travel, work evenings/weekends and have dogs reside in the home for training purposes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee early-stage puppy development with External Contractors, monitoring progress, welfare and training up to ~16 months.
• Deliver advanced training including obedience, public access, scent detection, alerting behaviour and client-specific tasks.
• Assess dogs and applicants and identify or elevate training, behavioural or welfare concerns.
• Support matching, home stays, placements and accreditation.
• Deliver client instruction and ongoing partnership support, including annual reviews and refresher training.
• Monitor alert accuracy and partnership performance, providing remedial training where required.
• Maintain accurate records and evidence-based reports within the Harlequin CRM system.
• Ensure training and partnership activity meets organisational, ADUK and ADI standards.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors and volunteers and act as a professional ambassador for Medical Detection Dogs.
• Travel regularly to meet dog, client and service needs.

Skills

Assistance dog training

Dog handling

One-to-one instruction

Client coaching

Organisational skills

IT literacy

Driving licence

Tools

Microsoft 365

CRM systems

Job description

Training and Partnership Instructor (North East region)

Location: Ideally located in North East England (for example Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire) with travel up to 2.5 hours from your home.

Salary: £24,784.50 - £32,500 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time (Flexible working including evenings, weekends and overnight stays as required)

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease and provide life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health conditions across the UK.

About the Role

We are looking for a Training and Partnership Instructor to deliver safe, effective Medical Alert Assistance Dog partnerships from advanced training through placement, accreditation and ongoing aftercare.

This is a hybrid operational role combining dog training, client instruction and partnership delivery, requiring excellent organisation, empathy and sound professional judgement. The role involves regular travel, occasional overnight stays and flexibility to meet client and service needs, while working with colleagues, contractors and clients to ensure high-quality partnerships and positive outcomes.

Responsibilities of the Role

• Oversee early-stage puppy development with External Contractors, including monitoring progress, welfare and training up to approximately 16 months.
• Deliver advanced training including obedience, public access, scent detection, alerting behaviour and client-specific tasks.
• Assess dogs and applicants and identify or elevate training, behavioural or welfare concerns.
• Support matching, home stays, placements and accreditation.
• Deliver client instruction and ongoing partnership support, including annual reviews and refresher training.
• Monitor alert accuracy and partnership performance, providing remedial training where required.
• Maintain accurate records and evidence-based reports within the Harlequin CRM system.
• Ensure training and partnership activity meets organisational, ADUK and ADI standards.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors and volunteers and act as a professional ambassador for Medical Detection Dogs.
• Travel regularly to meet dog, client and service needs.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Experience in assistance dog training and/or partnership delivery.
• Strong dog handling and behaviour knowledge.
• Experience delivering one-to-one instruction, teaching or coaching.
• Experience working with external providers or contractors.
• Understanding of ADUK standards and assistance dog best practice.
• IT literacy, including Microsoft 365 and CRM systems.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to pass a DBS check.
• Willingness to travel, work evenings/weekends and have dogs reside in the home for training purposes.

Desirable:

• Experience with Medical Alert Assistance Dogs.
• Knowledge of complex or fluctuating medical conditions.
• Experience with accreditation or inspection processes.
• Strong communication, coaching and organisational skills.
• Calm, empathetic and professional approach.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
• Flexible, resilient and adaptable, with commitment to the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs.