Veterinary Social Worker
Description
The Veterinary Social Worker will provide support and short-term counseling for clients and consultation to the veterinary healthcare team regarding animal-related grief and bereavement services. In this role, the individual is responsible for acting as a liaison between the client and healthcare team by assisting with communication and ensuring the healthcare team’s information is presented in a manner the client can understand and is empathetic to their circumstance.
The Veterinary Social Worker requires ongoing dedication to improving the Client/Patient/Team Member experience, enthusiasm for teaching and supporting others, and expertise in program/resource development to ensure the work we are doing is having a measurable impact.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Client Support
- Providing crisis intervention during difficult situations
- Offering support during diagnostic testing and treatment
- Facilitate family discussions with children (communicate animal’s illness and possible death to animal owner’s children)
- Offering or providing referral to pet cemeteries and crematoriums, individual or family grief support sessions, pet loss support groups, caregiver support groups for those caring for animals with chronic illness, and animal remembrance/memorial services
- Support during the euthanasia process
- Provide referrals to community mental health professionals as requested
- Extend support to clients and family members during appointments, treatments, intensive care unit visits and emergency situations
- Provide support to clients experiencing long wait times or for clients experiencing high stress and emotion
- Provide pet loss support to clients in person or over the phone and follow up when necessary
- Support clients as they navigate end-of-life decisions for their pet
- Establish and maintain consistent documentation of client communication and formulate an additional record that maintains confidentiality of clients
- Connect clients to community resources
- Facilitate pet loss support groups as appropriate to hospital plan
- Enrich and enhance the hospital environment with regard to “comfort room” and memorialization possibilities
- Develop resource lists to support clients needing Financial assistance for veterinary treatment, Counseling resources in Boise area for longer term needs of clients and other needs
- Attend team meetings and rounds functioning as a member of the healthcare team to improve patient and client care
- Supervise and evaluate social work students placed for veterinary fieldwork at various MedVet hospitals
Team Member Support
- Providing consultation on unclear situations, such as ethical considerations, animal abuse reporting, etc. to employees
- Provide debriefing individually and/or in groups
- Develop or enhance wellness practices within the hospital in collaboration with Human Resources
- Intervene with team members when requested by Human Resources to support, debrief, or provide resources for crisis situations
- Act as a liaison between clients and the veterinary team
- Provide education and resources on Employee Assistance Program and employee wellness benefits
- In collaboration with the HR team, provide continuing education presentations to team members and referring veterinarians on compassion fatigue, self-care, suicide prevention, human and animal bond, grief and loss, and communication
Community Outreach and Support
- Establishes positive working relationships with community resources/programs to address Client needs related to loss and other animal related issues
- Provides continuing education, networking, and outreach regarding the human animal bond, compassion fatigue, and other relevant veterinary social work topics based on community need and interest
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Collaborates with the Regional and/or Hospital Dyad and Vice President Experience to ensure alignment in work and priorities
- Builds collaborative working relationship with colleagues similarly engaged in Wellbeing and Client/Team Member support e.g. Human Resources, Organizational Development, Medical Services, Clinical Services, etc.
- Ensures that Veterinary Social Work learning content and workflow is aligned with broader MedVet strategy and concurrent initiatives
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Must be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state work is performed.
Must renew and maintain licensure annually. Three years’ experience working in a veterinary clinic or a Veterinary Social Work certificate preferred.
- Strong experience working with database management software, such as Microsoft Excel, and the ability to learn new technologies and databases.
- Must be knowledgeable with animal laws within the state.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication skills and community outreach experience
- Must maintain confidentiality and uphold the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Self-initiative and ability to work independently as well as in teams with minimal supervision.
- Previous experience facilitating meetings.
- Demonstrate knowledge of case management/social work practices.
- Knowledge of community resources.
- Ability to relate well with a variety of people.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Come as you are. MedVet is an equal opportunity employer. We are also a drug-free organization; therefore, employment with MedVet is dependent upon the passing of a drug screen and background check.
MedVet does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters.