"Veterinary Social Worker"

Position Summary

Provides direct support services to clients, employees, students, and community stakeholders. This position will serve on the Veterinary Social Work Services team, which includes other Veterinary Social Workers, our facility dog and interns. Our Veterinary Social Workers are overseen by the Director of Health and Wellbeing. This position works in collaboration with veterinary medical center employees, clinical students and faculty while working in the clinic. The Veterinary Social Worker provides multifaceted emotional support to clients and employees; consultation regarding clients to veterinary support services, short-term interventions; and educational programs for the hospital. This individual will also serve as a field instructor for a masters level social work internship program placement at the VMC. The Veterinary Social Worker will work in concert with VMC staff, faculty, and our leadership to help foster an environment of mindful compassion and support within the hospital. An ideal candidate will also serve as a secondary handler to our facility dog.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Clients:

• Provide short-term support, grief education and community resources to clients
• Provide referrals to community mental health professionals as requested
• Ensures client documentation that is confidential
• Provide individual and group support associated with the loss of companion animals for clients
• Aid clients in the end-of-life planning for their pet and communicate with VMC clinical team
• Provide support to clients by request from VMC clinical team

Faculty, staff and clinical students:

• Helps develop and implement educational wellness programming and materials
• Provide continuing education presentations and support for faculty, staff, students and referring veterinary professionals on topics such as; compassion fatigue, self-care, human and animal bond, the link, grief and loss, and communication
• Help maintain and develop a resource list of therapists in the area who are interested in providing pet loss counseling support for clients and our veterinary medical professionals
• Speak to community groups about veterinary social work services as needed
• Provide debriefing individually and/or in groups
• Provide support in mitigating compassion fatigue

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.
• Current State of Michigan Social Work license (LMSW) in good standing OR a current Limited License (LLMSW) in good standing with capability of being fully licensed within 3 years. Limited license holders must be supervised by a fully licensed Social Work (LMSW) until fully licensed.
• Compliance with Michigan state continuing education requirements to maintain licensure.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work required with state licensure
• State certification as a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) or Limited Licensed Masters Social Worker (LLMSW)
• 3-5 years field experience; veterinary related preferred
• Be familiar with animal laws within the State
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold the NASW Code of Ethics
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to provide services within a high paced and highly emotional setting

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three professional references

Work Hours

Full-time Monday - Friday. Must be able to work evenings.

Summary of Health Risks

Interested candidates will be required to work with our facility dog as a secondary handler.