VMG Psycho-gastroenterology Social Worker (General GI) -

Vanderbilt University Medical Center • Nashville, TN

7d

About The Position

The Psycho-gastroenterology Social Worker provides specialized behavioral health assessment, counseling, and evidence-based psychogastroenterology interventions for patients with Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI), functional gastrointestinal disorders, chronic GI symptom burden, and symptom hypervigilance. The role delivers gut-directed cognitive behavioral therapy (GI-CBT), gut-directed hypnotherapy, psychoeducation, and counseling to reduce GI symptom severity, improve quality of life, and promote self-management.

The Social Worker collaborates with gastroenterologists, motility specialists, advanced practice providers, dietitians, and nursing staff to develop integrated care plans addressing behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and physiologic contributors to GI symptoms. The role serves as a clinical resource for behavioral management of conditions including IBS, functional dysphagia, rumination syndrome, functional heartburn, esophageal hypersensitivity, functional chest pain, chronic nausea, gastroparesis-related symptom amplification, pelvic floor dysfunction, and other DGBI conditions. The position also contributes to program development, quality improvement, research, and education for providers, trainees, and staff.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited program.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or eligibility for licensure in Tennessee.
• Eligibility for independent clinical practice/licensure.
• Formal training and experience in gut-directed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GI-CBT), gut-directed hypnotherapy, health psychology principles, behavioral treatment of chronic illness, motivational interviewing, and psychogastroenterology.
• Experience treating IBS, DGBI, functional esophageal disorders, functional dyspepsia, functional constipation and diarrhea, rumination syndrome, and gastrointestinal symptom-related anxiety.
• Relevant work experience; the listed experience level is less than 1 year.
• Strong patient counseling, assessment, and therapeutic intervention skills.
• Ability to build rapport and establish therapeutic relationships with patients.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing psychotherapy or counseling services in a healthcare or outpatient setting.
• Knowledge of psychogastroenterology principles and the relationship between behavioral health and gastrointestinal disorders.
• Experience providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Experience working with patients experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, or chronic illness.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive behavioral and psychosocial assessments of patients with Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction 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 psychogastroenterology services.
• Serve as an educational resource for providers, trainees, and staff regarding behavioral treatments for DGBI.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to support well-being and professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level