Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken UPK Basel
Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK)
Therapist for Animal-Assisted Therapy 80% / Tuesday to Friday
- 11 September 2026
- 80%
- Permanent position
- German (Fluent)
About the job
Are you motivated to contribute your experience and benefit from the university environment?
The University Psychiatric Clinics (UPK) Basel are one of the leading university psychiatric clinics in Switzerland. Our goal is the continuous improvement of the treatment of our patients to achieve their best possible quality of life.The Department of Animal-Assisted Interventions offers various individual and group therapy options to promote the mental and physical well-being of patients. In the dynamic and mindful interaction with the animals, action competencies, self-esteem, and self-efficacy are strengthened. We work with chickens, guinea pigs and rabbits, goats and sheep, as well as dogs. The positive experiences in animal contact lead to increased intrinsic motivation and compliance and strengthen the patients' self-confidence. There is also the possibility to use your own trained social dog in therapy.
Therapist for Animal-Assisted Therapy 80% / Tuesday to Friday
Your Tasks
- Implementation of the existing animal-assisted therapy offerings in small groups and individual therapy
- Planning, execution and evaluation of treatment measures including consideration of developments in other therapies
- Documentation in the electronic patient record (EPA) as well as management of performance recording in the internal clinic system
- Patient-related information exchange with the treating individual therapists and the core team or primary nursing care
- Regular participation in reports
- Support in the care, maintenance and species-appropriate husbandry of the animals
- Collaboration with the interprofessional treatment teams of the four clinics as well as specialist colleagues from the Medical Therapeutic Services
- Active participation in shaping a committed, multiprofessional team with good collegial cooperation
- Implementation of the defined safety standards of the UPK
- Further development of the therapeutic concept and participation in interprofessional projects
Your Competences
- You are an established, motivated personality with a quick grasp, who enjoys new challenges and is used to working independently and in a structured manner
- You have a degree in a therapeutic health profession (preferably occupational or physiotherapy)
- You have completed training in practical instruction for trainees/students or are interested in completing such training
- You have experience with our animal species; ideally you have a certificate of competence for farm and small animals and/or completed further training CAS Animal-Assisted Therapy
- You are an empathetic, proactive and open personality with a positive basic attitude
Your Perspectives with Us
- Attractive and contemporary employment conditions under the GAV (such as: minimum 30 holidays/free days per year, above-average pension fund benefits: 2/3 of the pension fund savings contributions are paid by the employer, non-occupational accident insurance (contributions: employee 2/3, employer 1/3)
- Attractive and diverse further training programme (internal course programme, support for external further training, specialist and leadership development)
- Exclusive fleet discounts with various vehicle manufacturers
- TNW network: U-subscription at a discounted price (job ticket)
- Free sports offerings on and off the UPK campus (such as Pilates, Power Yoga, gym; discounted fitness centre offer)
- Various catering options directly on the UPK campus
- Beautiful park area, quiet working environment
- More information can be found at https://karriere.upk.ch/ihr-vorteil.html
Do you have questions? Contact us
Rahel Johansson, Head of Specialist Therapy Areas TEP (Animals / Nutrition / Physiotherapy), is happy to provide further professional information at +41 61 325 52 92. For general questions, you can also contact Maurizio Chirico, HR Business Partner +41 61 325 53 39.We look forward to receiving your online application.
