Veterinary Social Worker

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Position Title:

Veterinary Social Worker## Job Group:

Professional & Scientific## Required

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience##

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree related to Social Work    Experience in grief counseling, mental health support, or crisis intervention.

Experience with veterinary social work, the human-animal bond, and issues related to pet loss.
Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating wellness programs, workshops, and educational materials.
Experience creating and conducting structured training sessions for staff, students, or clients on topics such as communication, empathy, and coping strategies.##

Job Description:

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University is seeking a
** Veterinary Social Worker
** to join our team. This role is integral to promoting emotional well-being for clients, students, and staff within a fast-paced veterinary hospital environment. We’re looking for someone who is empathetic, collaborative, and committed to fostering resilience and wellness.
** What You’ll Do
*** Provide
** direct clinical support
** to clients during difficult situations such as euthanasia or major medical interventions, and facilitate workshops and support groups on coping with pet illness and loss.
* Develop and implement
** wellness programming
** for faculty, staff, and house officers, including crisis intervention, peer support programs, and wellness resources.
* Offer
** instructional support
** for students and interns through counseling, mentorship, and wellness workshops; supervise practicum students and interns.
* Maintain accurate documentation and create educational materials and resources for clients and staff on grief, mental health, and the human-animal bond.
* Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, Human Resources, and hospital leadership to enhance overall well-being and hospital functioning.

You’ll work closely with
** faculty, veterinary staff, house officers, students, and clients**, serving as a vital resource for emotional support and wellness initiatives.
** Position Details**
* ** Term:
** Full-time, on-site at the College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames, Iowa.
* ** Residency:
** Must reside locally or be willing to relocate.
* *
* Schedule:

** Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
** About the College of Veterinary Medicine
** Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is a leader in animal health, education, and research. Our mission is to advance veterinary medicine through excellence in clinical care, teaching, and innovation. We are committed to creating a supportive environment for our clients, students, and staff, recognizing the importance of mental health and wellness in veterinary practice.
** Example of Duties*
* • Offers comprehensive and complex programming to support long-term changes in nutrition and wellness.  
• Conducts needs assessment to identify and implement innovative ways to meet targeted under-served ad under-represented audiences.  
• Functions as an effective educator using innovative and creative approaches.  
• Establishes, organizes and facilitates networks and coalitions at the local and area level to build community capacity.  
• Secures resources to support identified needs at the county and area levels.

** Level Guidelines*
* • Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals  
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude  
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action  
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices  
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff  
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)  
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures…