Location & Practice Overview

This role sits within the Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in the Biological Sciences Division and Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Clinical work occurs across two outpatient sites on the South Side of Chicago.

Primary Sites Woodlawn Social Services Center and Comer Children’s Hospital
Practice Type Outpatient developmental and behavioral pediatrics
Department Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Care Model Interdisciplinary team-based outpatient services
City / State Chicago, Illinois

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate multidisciplinary Early Intervention Medical Diagnostic Assessment Team visits at Woodlawn, including intake, documentation flow, report compilation, and communication with Child and Family Connections service coordinators.
  • Complete social work assessments and provide psychosocial support and family counseling when consulted by Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians at Comer Children’s Hospital.
  • Lead individual care coordination clinic visits (telemedicine and in-person) focused on service access, adjustment to diagnosis, transition planning, and specific behavioral challenges.
  • Identify and facilitate referrals for therapies, educational supports (including IEP processes), Social Security benefits, housing, financial assistance, and community resources.
  • Handle Early Intervention billing through the Qclaims system and maintain accurate documentation of assessments, interventions, and progress.
  • Provide crisis intervention as needed and fulfill mandated reporting responsibilities regarding possible child abuse or neglect.

The position also includes developing and maintaining resource lists and serving as a liaison among families, schools, community agencies, and the developmental pediatrics team.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum requirements center on related professional experience and foundational education. Preferred credentials strengthen readiness for Illinois Early Intervention coordination and pediatric family support work.

Minimum Experience
5–7 years in a related professional discipline
Education
College or university degree in a related field (advanced Social Work degree preferred)
Preferred Licensure
Illinois LSW or LCSW
Preferred Experience
Work with children and families; Illinois Early Intervention program experience and certification
Preferred Skills
Bilingual English/Spanish; family engagement and multi-system coordination abilities

Compensation & Benefits

The position offers a salary-based compensation arrangement within the stated range. Eligible employees receive access to University benefits programs.

  • Annual salary: $75,000–$100,000
  • Benefits-eligible position
  • Health and welfare benefits
  • Retirement programs
  • Paid time off

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Status Full-time, exempt
Hours 40 hours per week
Work Setting Outpatient clinical and social services environments
Visit Formats In-person and telemedicine parent consultations
Patient Contact Direct patient and family contact

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The social worker supports children with developmental, behavioral, neurological, learning, and complex healthcare needs, along with their parents and caregivers. Families often navigate multiple systems simultaneously, including healthcare, education, public assistance, and community organizations.

Age Focus Children (including Early Intervention referrals, typically birth to age 3, and broader pediatric developmental patients)
Common Presentations Autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, communication and motor delays, learning disorders, genetic conditions, and childhood trauma
Clinical Context Outpatient developmental diagnostic and ongoing support settings
Family Needs Multi-system navigation and long-term service coordination

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The role centers on psychosocial assessment, care coordination, and resource navigation that support developmental and behavioral pediatric care rather than direct medical diagnosis or treatment.

Early Intervention Coordination Medical diagnostic assessment team support for Illinois Early Intervention referrals
Psychosocial Assessment Social, emotional, financial, and practical needs evaluation for children and families
Care Coordination Clinic Individual parent consultations addressing service access, diagnosis adjustment, adult-care transitions, and behavioral challenges
Educational & Benefit Navigation IEP processes, Social Security benefits, and linkage to habilitative therapies and community supports

Role Highlights

This position combines specialized pediatric social work with a distinctive dual-site outpatient model, connecting developmental assessment services, hospital-based pediatric care, and individualized family support. Its scope brings together clinical, educational, and community-based resources within one developmental and behavioral pediatrics program.

  • Dual-site clinical placement across Woodlawn Social Services Center and UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital.
  • Specialized professional focus within an academic pediatric program dedicated to developmental and behavioral health.
  • Integration with Illinois Early Intervention Medical Diagnostic Assessment services for young children and their families.
  • Dedicated care coordination clinic combining in-person and telemedicine consultations with parents.
  • Cross-system family support involving pediatric healthcare, educational services, public assistance programs, and community organizations.

About University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university founded in 1890. Its Biological Sciences Division and Department of Pediatrics operate UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, a free-standing children’s hospital on Chicago’s South Side that delivers comprehensive pediatric specialty care, education, and research. The Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics functions as a center focused on developmental diagnosis, biomedical management, and family support.

Organization Type Private research university with academic medical center
Pediatric Facility UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital
Founded 1890
Primary Location Hyde Park / South Side Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Illinois LSW or LCSW licensure required to apply?
Licensure is listed as preferred rather than a minimum requirement. Candidates with an advanced Social Work degree and relevant experience are encouraged to apply; Illinois LSW or LCSW is strongly preferred.
Does the role require prior Illinois Early Intervention experience?
Early Intervention program experience and certification are preferred qualifications. The position includes coordination of the Early Intervention Medical Diagnostic Assessment Team, so familiarity with the Illinois system is advantageous but not stated as mandatory.
Will I work at both Woodlawn and Comer Children’s Hospital?
Yes. The social worker supports services at both the Woodlawn Social Services Center (Early Intervention assessment coordination) and Comer Children’s Hospital (consultations and care coordination for developmental and behavioral patients).
Are care coordination visits offered virtually?
The individual care coordination clinic includes both telemedicine and in-person consultations with parents.
What documentation and billing systems are used for Early Intervention patients?
The role includes handling billing for Early Intervention program patients through the Qclaims system and compiling assessment reports within established deadlines.

Licensed Social Worker in Chicago, IL

The Licensed Social Worker position at the University of Chicago offers a specialized opportunity in pediatric developmental and behavioral healthcare in Chicago, Illinois. Located within an academic medical center, the role connects outpatient developmental pediatrics with hospital-based children's services across the South Side. Its clinical environment addresses the broader needs of children experiencing developmental delays, neurodevelopmental conditions, behavioral concerns, and complex health-related challenges. The program brings together early childhood intervention, pediatric specialty services, and family-centered social support, creating a practice setting at the intersection of healthcare, education, and community resources. This position is particularly distinctive for its integration of developmental pediatrics and coordinated family services across two established clinical locations.

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