Veterinary Social Worker

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University seeks a Veterinary Social Worker to provide direct emotional support to clients, staff, students, and community partners within the Veterinary Medical Center. The role includes short-term interventions, educational wellness programs, and field instruction for MSW students.

The ideal candidate will hold an MSW and a current LMSW/LLMSW license in Michigan, with ability to supervise interns and support compassion fatigue mitigation across the hospital team.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Active Michigan LMSW or LLMSW license in good standing (LLMSW eligible for full licensure within 3 years).
• Compliance with Michigan continuing education requirements to maintain licensure.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct emotional support to clients, employees, students, and community stakeholders.
• Offer short-term interventions and educational wellness programs.
• Serve as field instructor for MSW internship placement at the VMC.
• Assist as secondary handler to the facility dog when applicable.
• Develop and present educational wellness programming for faculty, staff, students, and veterinary professionals.
• Provide grief support and referrals; maintain confidential documentation.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Grief support

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Field instruction

Education

MSW (Master of Social Work)

LMSW or LLMSW licensure

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.

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.