Job Information
Iowa State University Social Worker - Iowa State Veterinary Medicine in Ames, Iowa
Position Title:Social Worker - Iowa State Veterinary Medicine
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Master’s degree and 3 years of related experience, which may include a master’s internship. Licensed to provide clinical services.
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with bereavement counseling.
Experience in a veterinary or medical setting.
Group counseling experience.
Program development experience.
Job Description:
Are you passionate about animals and looking for a role where you provide meaningful support to those navigating the complexities of client care?
Iowa State University is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Social Worker to join our team. This position is pivotal in supporting clients through crisis situations, such as bereavement and loss of their beloved animals, and in enhancing the well-being of our veterinary staff.
About Us:
The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC) offers specialized care and comprehensive medical and surgical services for companion and large animals throughout Iowa and neighboring states. Our clinicians, residents and interns, technicians, staff, and senior veterinary students work in teams to provide 24-hour, state-of-the-art care to animal patients.
Key Responsibilities:
Direct Clinical Services:
Provide psychological support to clients facing pet loss, illness, or crises.
Consult with veterinary team members to enhance client care.
Develop and implement social work policies and procedures.
Facilitate support groups and workshops for bereavement and emotional challenges.
Create and distribute educational materials on pet loss and mental health.
Wellness Programming:
Evaluate and improve wellness programs based on feedback.
Collaborate with Human Resources to enhance staff wellness.
Provide short-term interventions, including conflict mediation and referrals.
Develop peer support programs for staff.
Offer crisis intervention for acute stress and mental health issues.
Instructional Support:
Support students and house officers in achieving wellness goals.
Supervise and mentor practicum students and interns.
Lead wellness initiatives and conduct workshops on stress management.
Indirect Clinical Services:
Maintain confidential documentation of client and team interventions.
Develop and manage educational resources and website content.
Establish community partnerships to broaden support networks.
Why Join Us?
Make a Difference: Play a crucial role in supporting clients through challenging times and enhance the well-being of our veterinary team.
Innovative Environment: Be part of a pioneering program focused on crisis support and bereavement, helping to set new standards in veterinary social work.
To guarantee full consideration, applications must be received by 9/23/2024.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
Example of Duties
Provides informal debriefing services to team members, individually, or in groups.
In conjunction with Human Resources, provide other short-term interventions such as mediation of conflict, assessment, and referral for outside and/or EAP counseling.
Consult with Human Resources and Hospital Leadership regarding wellness of staff to enhance hospital functioning.
Develop and Present topics of Veterinary Social Work expertise such as compassion fatigue, stress management, work/life balance communication skills, grief, and pet loss.
Develop resources for the team in conjunction with Human Resources—regarding wellness accessibility on website, email, and/or newsletter.
Provide emotional support to clients as needed, or by request from team members.
Provide pet loss counseling to clients by phone and in person.
Establish and maintain consistent documentation of client and team intervention, while maintaining confidentiality.
Facilitate (organize, implement, maintain, and promote) a pet loss support group.
Assist clients in end-of-life decision-making in collaboration with staff and doctors.
Provide consultation to doctors and staff regarding the Veterinary Social Worker’s assessment of clients to facilitate treatment and effective communication.
Develop brochures and resources for clients regarding medical treatment, pet loss, and the grief process, euthanasia, memorialization of pets, veterinary social work services, and the human-animal bond.
Enrich and enhance the hospital environment to provide support to the euthanasia process.
Develop website materials for clients for cancer treatment, pet loss, and other resources such as the Quality of Life Scale, memorialization information, stories, etc.
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 may not exist• Provides guidance to students
College Website:
https://vetmed.iastate.edu/vmc
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS808
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: August 13, 2024
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R15294
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.