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. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Responsible for implementing Recreation Therapy (RT) within the Department, including weekends on the Inpatient Unit (an area with 24/7 operations).  Designs and implements specialized diagnostic and therapeutic recreational activities for individual children and families on all program areas, including parent education, support services and community referrals when indicated or requested. Understands and integrates into the delivery of patient care the needs of pediatric and adolescent patients in regard to their growth and development process.

Clinician:

• Develops and implements a Recreation Therapy (RT) program including parent education and support programs.

• Designs, implements and leads specialized diagnostic and daily therapeutic recreation activities for individual children and adolescents.

• Updates policies and procedures pertinent to RT programming as needed.

• Documents patient status and progress in the Electronic Medical Record as per program guidelines.

• Actively involved in rounds, diagnostic and treatment staffing, providing clinical observations from recreational activities.

• Participates in discharge planning for all children in the RT program.

Teacher:

• Participates in development and implementation of orientation of new staff and trainees.

• Collaborates with RT colleagues to update and maintain RT internship manual, orientation schedule, etc.

• Provides clinical supervision of RT interns, maintaining contact with University Faculty representatives.

• Develops and updates the community resource network information for the RT program, arranging for

• referrals to community resources as part of discharge planning as needed.

Team Membership:

• Provides group leadership and gives specific directions to interns, milieu therapists, nurses, social workers

• and volunteers during recreational therapy activities (on/off unit, horticulture garden, etc.).

• Collaborates with Director of Volunteer Services, Manager Inpatient Psychiatry, Manager Patient Care

• Operations and/or Director Patient Care Operations to orient, train and supervise RT volunteers.

• Collaborates with Child Life and Family Services staff, as well as RT colleagues to ensure adequate supplies

• are available for RT activities, special programs and holidays. This includes coordinating and submitting supply requisition orders to the appropriate area and accessing Hospital donations when available.

Leadership:

• Leads the family activity groups, pet therapy sessions and special occasion events.

• Participates in continuous quality improvement endeavors.

• Collaborates with RT colleagues in review of contractual/facility agreements.

• Professional Development:

• Appropriately seeks out supervision to function in all professional roles.

• Assumes responsibility for professional development through participation in in-services.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelors degree required in the field of Recreation Therapy, Master’s degree preferred.

• Experience working with children in a psychiatric setting preferred.

• CTRS from National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certificate (NCTRC) required.

• Basic Life Support Certification (Heart Saver, AED): Required

Education

Bachelor's Degree (Required)

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

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

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 for employees and family members

• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Lurie Children’s we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  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.

Support email: [email protected]