Pediatric Palliative Care Specialist, Family Support (MSW or M.Div), Full-time

Job Description

Job Description

Pediatric Palliative Care Specialist - Family Support

Transitions Kids | Full-Time | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekend & Holiday PRN Coverage Required Community-Based Field Position

Walk Alongside Children and Families During Life's Most Meaningful Journeys

Some careers allow you to make a difference.

This role allows you to help transform the experience of children and families facing serious illness, complex medical journeys, grief, and loss.

Transitions Kids exists to compassionately care for children, families, and communities significantly impacted by illness or loss on their sacred journey of love, triumph, exasperation, and grief through education, advocacy, and adventure.

Guided by our values of Integrative & Holistic Care, Creativity & Innovation, Accountability & Advancement, Engagement & Collaboration, and Wonder & Whimsy , our team provides extraordinary support that honors the unique needs of every child and family.

We're seeking a compassionate and skilled Pediatric Palliative Care Specialist - Family Support to join our interdisciplinary team serving children and families throughout our community.

This role is ideal for a social worker, chaplain, or family support professional who combines clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, and a passion for helping families navigate life's most challenging moments.

This Is a Community-Based Field Position

This is not an office-based counseling role.

Our Pediatric Palliative Care Specialists spend much of their time meeting children and families where they are most comfortable, including:

• Private homes
• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Community settings
• Residential care facilities

This position requires regular travel throughout the service area, building relationships with families in their own environments and providing support where it is needed most.

If you thrive in relationship-based work, enjoy meeting families where they are, and appreciate the flexibility and autonomy of community-based care, you'll find this role incredibly rewarding.

Why Join Transitions Kids?

When you join Transitions Kids, you become part of a highly collaborative team committed to helping children experience the best possible quality of life while supporting families through every stage of their journey.

What You'll DoSupport Children and Families Across the Care Journey

• Assess emotional, social, cultural, spiritual, environmental, and financial needs of patients and families
• Provide ongoing emotional support during periods of crisis, uncertainty, and transition
• Develop meaningful relationships built on trust, compassion, and respect
• Support families after, during, and after significant illness and loss

Deliver Family-Centered Care

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to create individualized plans of care
• Help families identify goals, priorities, strengths, and support systems
• Provide culturally responsive and spiritually sensitive care
• Connect families with community resources and support services

Lead Bereavement and Grief Support Efforts

• Participate in the planning and delivery of grief and bereavement services
• Support children, parents, siblings, and caregivers coping with anticipatory grief and loss
• Provide education and resources related to grief, coping, and resilience

Collaborate with an Exceptional Interdisciplinary Team

• Partner with physicians, nurses, child life specialists, chaplains, therapists, and community providers
• Participate in Transitions Kids team meetings and care planning discussions
• Contribute to quality improvement and program development initiatives
• Support orientation and mentoring of new team members and students

Provide After-Hours Support

• Participate in assigned after-hours coverage
• Respond to urgent family support needs
• Conduct home visits when needed to provide support during crises or at the time of a child's death

Who Thrives in This Role

Our strongest team members are:

• Compassionate listeners
• Creative problem-solvers
• Skilled relationship builders
• Strong advocates for children and families
• Emotionally resilient professionals
• Collaborative team players
• Comfortable working independently in the community
• Curious, adaptable, and committed to lifelong learning

Most importantly, they believe every family deserves to feel supported, understood, and cared for throughout their journey.

Required Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited university or
• Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Pastoral Care, or Master of Theological Studies from an accredited institution
• For Social Work candidates: LCSW required or obtained within two years of hire
• Minimum one year of experience in a healthcare or health-related setting
• Strong communication, counseling, and family support skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary team
• Strong technology and documentation skills
• Valid North Carolina driver's license
• Reliable transportation and automobile insurance
• Ability to travel throughout the service area to patient homes and care settings
• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Pediatric healthcare experience
• Hospice or palliative care experience
• Pediatric bereavement experience
• Experience supporting families facing serious illness, grief, or loss
• Knowledge of Medicare regulations, accreditation standards, and healthcare reimbursement systems

Why This Role Matters

Every family's journey looks different.

Some need help navigating difficult decisions. Some need emotional support. Some need spiritual guidance. Some simply need someone willing to sit beside them during an unimaginable moment.

As a Pediatric Palliative Care Specialist - Family Support, you'll help children and families feel seen, heard, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.

Your compassion can help families find strength in uncertainty, comfort in difficult moments, and hope when they need it most.

Join a Team Unlike Any Other

If you're passionate about pediatric care, family support, grief and bereavement services, and helping children and families navigate life's most meaningful experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help Transitions Kids bring compassion, connection, and support to children and families when they need it most.