Social Worker, Veterinary Social Work Services: College of Veterinary Medicine - UTIA

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) invites applicants to apply for the position of Social Worker, located within the Veterinary Social Work Services (VSWS) arm of the Office of Outreach and Engagement umbrella. The purpose of the VSWS staff Social Worker is to provide social work care, support, and services to UTCVM students, clients, faculty, and staff, as well community clients. This position’s primary purpose is to help individuals improve their quality of lives through counseling and advocacy and to lead and oversee Animal Loss Programming.

• Provides psycho-educational, clinical care, and support as well as drop-in services for the College of Veterinary Medicine community. Answers the Veterinary Social Work Services Helpline. Leads and oversees UTVMC Animal Loss Programming, which includes: implementing and adhering to scopes of practice; managing clinical issues in an interprofessional host setting and according to interprofessional and social work ethic; leading program development to attend to the animal loss needs of UTVMC and community clients; and contributing to program evaluation by maintaining appropriate records.
• Is cross-trained to care for UTCVM students as a secondary responsibility. Interfaces with the entire UTCVM in supporting and working closely with the other VSWS Clinical Staff Social Workers, who is dedicated to care, support, and services for UTCVM veterinary students and the needs of the UTCVM Academic Dean’s Office.
• Provides educational oversight for social work students being trained in veterinary social work as field students and other educational formats. Provides educational training for veterinary medical students and professionals in crisis management, grief support, and communication.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Must be within 6 months of graduating with an MSW/MSSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and eligibility for Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential.
• Experience: Must have experience working with telehealth and technology tools that support clinical practice within a team. Must have at least 1 year experience working with individuals, families, and groups using social work skills.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge to discern, oversee, and perform social work duties in a hospital host setting
  • Knowledge and skills to complete and maintain documentation for social work care, support and services
  • Ability to conduct psychosocial assessments and provide care according to social work standards of care
  • Skills and ability to develop and implement standards of practice as needed in the UTCVM
  • Skills and ability to assess, evaluate, and adjust social work interventions as needed
  • Ability to organize and oversee program development and project management
  • Knowledge and skill to teach and manage social work and veterinary students in non-technical and veterinary social work skills.
  • Manage escalated clients effectively and according to standards of care
  • Ability and skills to use and learn technology for offering telehealth and conducting work within a dispersed social work team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience:
  • Attained LCSW status.
  • Experience working in a hospital or other host social work setting.
  • An approved life coaching credential with BCC.
  • Training and/or work performing social work in animal related settings.

Work Location:

• Knoxville, Tennessee
• On-Site

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: 07
• Anticipated hiring range: dependent upon qualifications
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College:

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), located in Knoxville, was established by an act of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

UTCVM is one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health, enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.