Social Worker

Overview

NOW HIRING: SOCIAL WORKER

We exist so families can get better together. Each night, we keep 181 families close to the care and resources they need through six area Ronald McDonald Houses® and four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®. Enabling families to stay close to their hospitalized child supports the health and well-being of the child and saves families more than $10 million in hotel and food costs each year. We also operate the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, providing medical care to children in underserved areas. RMHC-CNI is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

This position is responsible for providing family-centered social work services to guests of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI). In alignment with the organization’s commitment to enhancing Family-Centered Care, the social worker collaboratively engages families, hospital social workers, RMHC-CNI staff, and community partners. The social worker advances the organization’s ability to provide holistic support to families as they navigate their child’s medical crisis.

This position is full-time, onsite. And requires the ability to a flexible schedule that includes some weekly evening hours and at least 2 weekend days/month. This position serves both our Ronald McDonald House near Comer Children's Hospital (5444 S. Drexel Ave in Chicago) and our Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital (4410 W. 93rd St in Oak Lawn).

Essential Job Functions

• Conduct regular, direct, compassionate outreach to family members who are guests of RMHC-CNI to facilitate identification of needs and emotional support
• Coordinate resources and supportive services between RMHC-CNI, hospital social workers, and community providers based on individual family need
• Proactively monitor patient/family care and discharge plans and assist families with preparing for transition to home communities
• Collaborate with family services staff to address unique or challenging family concerns or needs; aid in crisis assessment and response
• Identify and cultivate partnerships to enhance array of supportive services offered within RMHC-CNI programs (focused on wellness, recreation, sibling/child support, financial, psychosocial needs)
• Develop and lead individual and group activities for adults and children focused on enhancing well-being and providing emotional support
• Provide program operational support to family services staff when needed
• Maintain thorough, timely, and professional client records and data utilizing RMHC-CNI database systems and processes
• Design and use methods of integrating family voice into evaluation and enhancement of programming and services
• Advance staff/volunteer knowledge and training related to Family-Centered Care, in collaboration with the Director, Family-Centered Care.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW) or equivalent highly preferred. Bachelor’s degree in social work required without master’s degree.
• At least three years experience providing direct family-centered services in a not-for-profit or healthcare setting
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of the complex circumstances and challenges facing families with critically-ill children
• Passionate about serving families from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to advancement of equity and inclusion for marginalized or underserved families
• Experience thinking critically and holistically about family experience and needs to identify gaps in coordination of supportive services; demonstrated ability to develop actionable processes to meet needs
• Ability to apply knowledge of family-centered practice, child development, family systems theory, social determinants of health, and trauma-informed practice to engagement and response strategies
• Compassionate, resourceful, creative, and flexible in approach to family engagement and service
• Ability to provide clinically-informed support to adults and children in individual and group settings
• Ability to self-define priorities and work tasks within an adaptable system of support, service coordination, and program development; interest and experience in continued innovation and refinement within a family-facing program
• Training in crisis assessment and intervention; ability to respond calmly, professionally, and empathetically when others are in distress
• Knowledgeable about principles and methods of case management and family-centered practice, including familiarity with client documentation systems
• Consistent, clear, and detailed communicator across varying levels of literacy and communication preferences
• Desire to be an advocate for families with internal and external stakeholders
• Attentive to collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data for program evaluation, improvement, and growth
• Demonstrated commitment to social work ethics and behaviors, including but not limited to principles of self-determination, cultural competence, and confidentiality
• Advanced competency in a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., as well as an ability to quickly learn and operate organization databases applications and spreadsheets within first 90-days of employment.

Work Environment

• Exposed to moderate noise levels
• Frequent interruptions, ability to multitask is key to success in this role
• Regular and predictable attendance is required
• Must be available to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends with proper notice

Physical Abilities

• Basic office work with the physical ability to move throughout the program location during the shift
• Must be willing and able to move between program locations; advanced notice will be provided

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and we welcome and will consider applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, individuals with disabilities, pregnancy, marital status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact workwithus@rmhccni.org. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

We exist so families can get better together. Each night, we keep 181 families close to the care and resources they need through six area Ronald McDonald Houses® and four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®. Enabling families to stay close to their hospitalized child supports the health and well-being of the child and saves families more than $10 million in hotel and food costs each year. We also operate the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, providing medical care to children in underserved areas. RMHC-CNI is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.