Medical Social Worker Austin Hope Center

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is one of the nation’s leading pediatric health systems. This position is located at the Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Austin and is scheduled to begin in August 2026.

The role provides direct and indirect social work services to patients and families, supporting them through adjustment to illness, hospitalization, and recovery. Responsibilities include assessment, intervention, linkage to community resources, and coordination of care across the continuum.

• Assist patients and families with adjustment to illness or hospitalization.
• Provide protective services for children and families at risk.
• Help families understand and adhere to treatment plans.
• Link patients and families to community agencies and services.
• Coordinate service delivery with families and team members across the continuum.
• Make referrals to other team members and community resources.
• Collaborate with families to utilize community service linkages.
• Meet daily with inpatient floor case managers to review census and identify discharge barriers.
• Identify, assess, and respond to child/family needs, including developmental, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual aspects.
• Focus on the social and emotional needs that impact patient care and outcomes.
• Provide timely crisis intervention for families in emergency situations such as bereavement, protective services issues, or domestic violence.
• Document services in a thorough and timely manner according to professional standards.
• Communicate with the health care team to provide optimal care of patients and families.
• Assist case managers in discharge planning and community linkages for families with complex social and emotional needs.
• Maintain professional boundaries within social work and health care teams.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, group problem‑solving, and program planning.
• Collaborate on programs targeting high‑risk families and preventive health care.
• Educate the interdisciplinary team about the impact of social, emotional, and spiritual issues on coping and treatment response.
• Lead or support family service professionals in establishing team goals.
• Perform administrative, project management, and intake/on‑call duties as required.
• Precept social work students and maintain records and statistics.

• Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited university.
• Current Illinois State Social Work licensure (LSW) required; LCSW preferred.
• Work or internship experience in a health care, child welfare, or mental health setting preferred.
• Experience working with children and families.
• Proactive, creative, and initiative‑driven approach.
• Excellent communication, critical‑thinking, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively on multiple teams.
• Spanish language abilities strongly preferred.
• Stamina and energy to maintain direct patient contact and fulfill on‑call responsibilities.

$65,520.00 – $

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer paid group term life and disability
• Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
• 403(b) with a 5% employer match
• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program and other behavioral health services
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.