About

• Description
• Department: Programs
• Supervised by: Support and Counseling Manager
• Status: Full-time, salaried, exempt
• Hours: 40 hours per week; after-school hours required, one Saturday half-day monthly
• Location: On-site at main location in Hinsdale (90%) and partner locations (10%)

Summary Job Description

• The Oncology Child and Family Counselor (OCFC) is an ambassador of the vision, mission, and guiding principles of Wellness House (WH) through participant engagement and delivery of innovative programs at the main location in Hinsdale, online, and partner sites throughout Chicagoland. The OCFC facilitates support groups, provides individual consultation and counseling, and leads workshops and classes for children, parents, young adults, families, and healthcare professionals. This position maintains required licensure and certifications and adheres to safety guidelines related to participant paperwork/registration, facility/equipment maintenance, and emergency protocols. Additionally, the OCFC participates in program development and evaluation to support the continuous quality improvement of WH programs across all locations and online. This role leads Child & Family Events 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

• Direct Work with Participants (Approximately 80%)
• 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, young adults, and parents who are affected by cancer.
• Work with manager to coordinate quarterly Child & Family program schedule based on program and participant needs. Order, maintain, and organize required materials.
• Train and supervise appropriate volunteers and interns for groups and programs.
• 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, young adults and parents. In collaboration with the Support and Counseling team, identify, assess, and respond to the clinical needs of children, parents, young adults, and families. Create care plans.
• Conduct short-term counseling for children, parents, young adults, and families in crisis who need additional support for cancer-related transitions or are inappropriate for a group setting.
• 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 team (including, but not limited to, Kids Kamp, Spooky Spectacular, Polar Express, and Happy Hearts).
• Collaborate with managers to identify and support planning of education, nutrition, exercise, and stress management programs for children, teens, and families.

• 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 (15%)
• As needed, recruit, interview, and recommend volunteers, interns, and contractual staff.
• Work with the program team to develop group policies and procedures, including the group purpose, eligibility, goal setting and 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.
• 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%)
• Promptly report to the Office Manager and supervisor any observations of malfunction or inadequacy of the WH facility that would compromise the safety of staff and participants or negatively impact the delivery of WH programs.
• 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: Master's degree or higher in psychology, social work, or related field; must be eligible for clinical license as LCSW, LCPC, or Psy.D.

• Job Experience: Minimum of two years of applicable, full-time professional experience post-internships working with pediatrics, children, young adults, and families.

Special Knowledge & Skills

• Experience facilitating support groups required
• Knowledge about child development and family systems
• Knowledge and aptitude working with Microsoft Office (especially Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).

Demonstrated Competencies

• 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 handle multiple priorities; innovative thinker
• Initiative
• Highly ethical
• Ability to work within a team and motivate others
• Commitment to cancer health equity
• 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 Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Pet Insurance benefits available
• 403(b) with employer match
• Annual incentive bonus
• Gym on-site
• Generous sick and vacation time

• Estimated hiring range: $66,000 - $73,600 annual salary
• Final offers are based upon qualifications, years of experience, and internal equity considerations and may or may not fall within the estimated hiring range.