Medical Social Worker

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140‑year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do.

Provides direct and indirect services to patients and families. The core functions of social work include:

• Assisting patients and families through their adjustment to illness or hospitalization
• Protective services for children and families at risk
• Helping patients and families understand and adhere to treatment plans
• Linkage to community agencies and services

• Coordinate service delivery with families and appropriate team members across the continuum.
• Make necessary referrals to other team members and/or community resources.
• Collaborate with families to assist them in utilizing community service linkages.
• Meet daily with the inpatient floor case manager to review inpatient census and proactively identify and address potential barriers to discharge.
• Identify, assess, and respond to child/family needs, including developmental, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs.
• Focus on addressing the social and emotional needs of families that impact a patient's medical treatment and outcome.
• Provide timely and effective intervention for families in emergency/crisis situations.
• Document in a thorough and timely manner in accordance with professional standards.
• Communicate with members of 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 and model professional boundaries within social work and health‑care teams.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and team problem‑solving and program planning.
• Collaborate to develop programs that target high‑risk families and maximize opportunities for preventive health care.
• Educate interdisciplinary team regarding how social and emotional issues impact a family's coping with illness and response to treatment.
• Lead family service professionals in establishing family services goals for team care delivery.
• Perform administrative and project management duties as assigned and precept social work students when required.
• Maintain records, statistics and information and referral lists for staff use.
• Participate in the hospital‑wide social work intake and on‑call systems.
• Communicate changes in hospital, community agency, and governmental policies that impact treatment and care.

• Master’s degree in social work from a university approved by the Council for Social Work Education.
• Current Illinois State Social Work licensure (LSW) required; LCSW preferred.
• Work or internship experience in health care, child welfare, or mental health setting preferred.
• Experience working with children and families.
• Ability to think proactively, creatively, and take initiative appropriately.
• Excellent communication, critical‑thinking and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as part of multiple teams.
• Spanish language abilities strongly preferred.
• Stamina and energy to maintain regular direct patient contact with seriously ill persons, coordinate multiple demands, and fulfill on‑call requirements.

Master's Degree:
Social Work (Required). Pay Range: $65,520.00 – $.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance (Employer paid group term life and disability).
• Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave.
• 403(b) with 5% employer match.
• Various voluntary benefits:
  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 specialized behavioral health services and resources.
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities and 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.