VMG Psycho-gastroenterology Social Worker (General GI) -
Core
Provides specialized behavioral health assessment, counseling, and evidence-based psychogastroenterology interventions for patients with Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) and functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Role type
Clinical Social Worker (Psycho-gastroenterology)
Builds
Integrated care plans addressing behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and physiologic factors contributing to GI symptoms.
Domain
Healthcare / Gastroenterology / Behavioral Health
Required skills
Gut-directed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GI-CBT), Gut-directed Hypnotherapy, Health psychology principles, Behavioral treatment of chronic illness, Motivational interviewing, Psychogastroenterology, Assessment of symptom hypervigilance, Patient counseling
Preferred skills
Experience treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI), Functional esophageal disorders, Functional dyspepsia, Functional constipation and diarrhea, Rumination syndrome, Gastrointestinal symptom-related anxiety
Technologies
None stated
Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive behavioral and psychosocial assessments of patients with DGBI and related GI conditions; Deliver evidence-based gut-directed cognitive behavioral therapy (GI-CBT) for GI symptom management; Provide gut-directed clinical hypnotherapy for patients with IBS, functional dyspepsia, functional esophageal disorders, and other DGBIs; Assess and address symptom hypervigilance, visceral anxiety, illness-related catastrophizing, avoidance behaviors, and maladaptive coping patterns that contribute to symptom burden; Provide individual counseling focused on coping skills, stress management, resilience building, and adaptation to chronic gastrointestinal symptoms; Develop individualized behavioral treatment plans integrated with patients' medical management plans; Facilitate patient education regarding the brain-gut axis and the role of behavioral interventions in gastrointestinal symptom modulation; Collaborate with gastroenterologists and multidisciplinary team members to identify appropriate candidates for behavioral GI interventions; Monitor patient-reported outcomes and treatment response, adjusting interventions as needed to optimize clinical outcomes; Maintain documentation consistent with VUMC, regulatory, and professional standards; Participate in program development, quality improvement initiatives, and research activities supporting the advancement of psych gastroenterology services; Serve as an educational resource for providers, trainees, and staff regarding behavioral treatments for DGBI.
Seniority
Mid-level, independent clinical practice