Oncology Child & Family Specialist

Description

A Meaningful Mission

Wellness House envisions a community where all people affected by cancer thrive. Offered at no cost, and as a complement to medical treatment, our programs educate, support, and empower participants in order to help them improve their physical and emotional well-being. 

Summary of Position

Department: Programs

Supervised by: Support and Counseling Manager

Supervises: Interns and volunteers

Status: Part-time, hourly, non-exempt

Hours: 20 hours, After-school hours required

Location: On-site at main location in Hinsdale (90%) and partner locations 10%)

The Oncology Child and Family Specialist (OCFS) is an ambassador of the vision, mission, and guiding principles of Wellness House (WH) through participant engagement and delivery of innovative child and family support and education programs at the main location in Hinsdale, online, and at partner sites throughout Chicagoland. The OCFS facilitates support groups, provides individual consultation and counseling, and leads workshops and classes for children, parents, families, and healthcare professionals. This position maintains required licensure and certifications, and practices safety guidelines related to participant paperwork/registration, facility/equipment maintenance, and emergency protocols. Additionally, the OCFS participates in program development and evaluation to support the continuous quality improvement of the WH programs across all locations and online. This role leads Child & Family Events and and assists with outreach, including establishing and maintaining relationships with outside providers and participating in community presentations about the psychosocial effects of cancer within the family system.  

RESPONSIBILITIES (100% program responsibilities)

Direct Work with Participants (85%)

Child & Family Programs (Groups 25%, Individual 55%, Events/Workshops 20%)

• Ongoing assessment of child, parent, and family needs to inform program design to meet those needs. Facilitate support and bereavement groups for children, teens, and parents who are affected by cancer.
• Order, maintain, and organize materials for group needs.
• Work with manager to coordinate quarterly Child & Family program schedule based on program and participant needs.
• Train and supervise appropriate volunteers for groups.
• Collaborate with contractual Child & Family group facilitators. 
• Plan and deliver psycho-education workshops and classes for participants relevant to the Specialist’s expertise and participant needs.
• Serve as primary staff to receive referrals of children, teens, and parents. With the Support and Counseling team, identify, assess, and respond to child, parent, and family clinical needs.
• Create care plans to address child, parent, and family clinical needs
• Conduct short-term counseling for children, parents, and families in crisis who need additional support for cancer-related transitions or are inappropriate for a group setting.
• Conduct individual participant consults as part of the Participant Engagement Process to identify suitable WH programs and provide support for cancer-related transitions.  
• Identify outside referral sources when needed and make the appropriate referral.
• Provide continuity of care among other involved professionals 
• Plan, coordinate, and assist with the execution of annual Kids Kamp.
• Lead the planning and facilitation of child and family special events with the support of managers and events team (including, but not limited to, Kids Kamp, Spooking Spectacular, Polar Express, and Happy Hearts).
•  Lead the planning and promotion of child and family wellness programs with support from managers and events team (including but not limited to Back-to-School Cooking Club, Teen Chef Challenge, and Stress-Free Saturdays for Kids)

Participant Engagement

• Facilitate participant entry into WH programs through engagement, assessment, support, triage, introduction to programs, and referrals as needed.   
• Follow up with participants at appropriate intervals to monitor progress, assess needs, schedule appointments, and provide resources and assistance.  
• Provide service delivery through community program referrals and social service resources, in addition to WH resources. 
• Provide coverage, assistance, and support at the front desk, as needed 
• Assist with outreach and recruitment of new participants. 
• Promptly complete appropriate documentation, attendance, and participant efforts in the participant database, Mindbody Online (MBO). 

Program Support and Community Outreach (approximately 10%)

• As needed, recruit, interview, and recommend new volunteers, interns, and contractual staff. 
• Work with the program team to develop group policies and procedures, including the purpose of group, eligibility criteria, and method for participant goal setting and program evaluation.
• Assist manager with the supervision of daily work, training, and scheduling of department volunteers and interns, as requested.  
• Participate in program development and the evaluation of programs as requested.
• Work with team to develop, support, implement, and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to provide quality programs to diverse communities. 
• Prepare and deliver presentations to community professionals.
• Respond to individual requests for information from individuals and organizations.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with other service providers to increase referrals to Child and Family programs.
• Identify and explore strategic opportunities for innovative programming and expansion. 

Other (5%)

• Protect the organization's value by keeping information confidential.  
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.  
• Perform general tasks and other duties as assigned. 

Performance Measures:

To be filled in each year during annual evaluation, by employee and supervisor

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field required; Master’s degree (or equivalent work experience) preferred. Child Life Specialist certification required. 

Job Experience: Minimum of an equivalent of two years of applicable, full-time professional experience post-internship in community health-related work. Nonprofit experience is a plus. 

Special Knowledge & Skills: Experience facilitating support groups required; knowledge about child development and family systems; knowledge and aptitude working with Microsoft Office.

Demonstrated Competencies:  

• Bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred
• Solid organization and planning skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written
• Ability to collaborate with peers and provide constructive feedback to others
• Results orientation
• Ability to take initiative and work independently while handling multiple priorities
• Innovative thinker
• Highly ethical
• Ability to work within a team and motivate others
• Comfort with traveling to community partner locations in the South and West sides of Chicago as needed.
• Commitment to cancer health equity and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)
• Commitment to the mission of Wellness House

Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Wellness House is an EOE.

Join Our Team!

At Wellness House, we are always looking for smart, dedicated experts who believe in a psychosocial approach to complement cancer care. A career with WH provides an opportunity to use your unique skills and talents to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.

We provide opportunities for staff growth, leadership development, and team building throughout the year. We value direct communication, a mindful approach, and work/life balance. Our staff culture is intentional in our efforts to acknowledge and make space for diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging in our work with each other and in our program delivery. From snack-and-greets to staff retreats, we make sure to give our staff a chance to connect.

Benefits:

Employer paid Medical, Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, and AD&D insurance premiums 

Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, Vision, and Pet Insurance benefits available 

403(b) with employer match 

Gym on-site 

Generous sick and vacation time 

Estimated hiring range: $28.00 to $32.00 per hour

Final offers are based upon qualifications, years of experience, and internal equity considerations and may or may not fall within the estimated hiring range. 

Salary : $28 - $32