| Name of Organization: | Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center |
| Job Title: | Veterinary Social Worker |
| Part-time or Full-time: | Full-time |
| Job Location: | 3930 North Buffalo Rd., Orchard Park, New York 14127 |
| Job Description: | The Veterinary Social Worker’s (VSW) primary responsibility is to develop and maintain a social work program for Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center and their clients and staff. It is intended that the social work program become a robust program, providing extensive support services to clients of the hospital (families of the pets), consultation regarding clients to veterinary staff, quality of life and end of life counseling to families of patients, and extensive resources about grief, euthanasia, and memorialization. Support groups will include pet loss groups and a group for caregivers of elderly or terminally ill pets. The VSW will also provide supportive services, short term interventions, psychoeducational programs and trainings for employees of the hospital. The VSW will develop a social work internship and serve as field instructor for the hospital. Once developed, it is expected that the VSW will train interns to fulfill many of the client care responsibilities while under the supervision of the VSW/Field Instructor. The majority of staff care responsibilities, facilitation of support groups for clients, and the direction of the program will be fulfilled by the VSW. This is a full-time position. |
| Required Qualifications: | Master’s Degree in Social Work is required. Licensed in New York as LMSW or LCSW is preferred Necessary Skills: Leadership ability, organizational ability, good speaker/trainer. Must have confident, authentic, flexible and grounded personality. Must be able to prioritize, to multi-task, and endure a fast pace. Should have high tolerance for graphic medical procedures and information. Experience with attachment to pets and pet euthanasia. Able to provide services to clients and staff in an emotionally intense, fast-paced setting. Excellent self-care skills. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Excellent organizational skills. |
| Preferred Qualifications: | 1.Experience in medical social work, child welfare/protection, hospice, or mental health settings preferred. 2.Experience with grief/bereavement and/or trauma is preferred. 3.Experience working successfully with multi-disciplinary teams is preferred. 4.Experience with animal ownership and euthanasia is preferred. |
| How to Apply: | Please send a cover letter and resume to sdralle@opvmc.net. If you have questions please contact sandra@sbrackenridgelcsw.com. If you are wanting more information about veterinary social work in a large specialty and emergency hospital please visit www.sbrackenridgelcsw.com for a video and readings |
| Contact: | Dr. Dralle: sdralle@opvmc.net; Sandra: sandra@sbrackenridgelcsw.com |
| Website: | https://www.opvmc.com/ |
