Veterinary Social Worker

MSU - Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MSU - Michigan State University seeks a Veterinary Social Worker to provide direct emotional support to clients, employees, students and community partners within the Veterinary Medical Complex. The role includes consultation with veterinary clinicians, short-term interventions, and education on wellness, as well as serving as a field instructor for MSW placements.

The position involves collaboration with VMC staff and leadership to foster mindful compassion in a fast-paced hospital setting;

Qualifications

• MSW from CSWE-accredited program.
• Current Michigan LMSW or LLMSW license in good standing.
• LLMSW licensees must be supervised by LMSW until fully licensed.

Responsibilities

• Provide short-term emotional support and grief education to clients and families.
• Offer referrals to community mental health professionals when needed.
• Maintain confidential client documentation and records.
• Educate and support faculty, staff, and students on wellbeing topics.
• Assist in end-of-life planning discussions with clients and veterinary teams.
• Serve as field instructor for MSW internship program placements.
• Provide education presentations on compassion fatigue, wellbeing, and the human-animal bond.

Skills

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Education

MSW degree

LMSW/LLMSW license

Job description

Working/Functional Title

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 The Office of Health and Wellbeing. The Veterinary Social Worker provides multifaceted emotional support to clients and employees; consultation regarding clients to veterinary medical professionals, short-term interventions; and educational wellness programs for the hospital. This individual will also serve as a field instructor for a master's 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 communication with VMC clinical team

Faculty, staff and clinical students:
Helps develop and implement educational wellness programming and materials
Provide educational presentations and support for faculty, staff, students and referring veterinary professionals on topics such as; compassion fatigue, wellbeing, human and animal bond, the link, grief and loss, communication
Speak to community groups about veterinary social work services as needed
Provide debriefing individually and/or in groups
Provide support in mitigating compassion fatigue

Provide referrals and help individuals navigate university and community resources

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

Experience supporting individuals experiencing grief and loss

Maintain confidentiality and uphold the NASW Code of Ethics
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively on a team
Ability to provide trauma informed, inclusive services within a high paced and highly emotional setting

Strong presentation skills

Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills

Demonstrated reliability and dependability, with a consistent record or following through on responsibility and maintaining accountability.

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.

Work Hours

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

Website

HTTPS://CVM.MSU.EDU

Summary of Health Risks

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

Bidding eligibility ends September 1, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.