Family Support Specialist - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Temporary part time 2025-11690

Summary of Duties:

The Family Support Specialist leads strategies that improve the experience of our NICU patients and families. This role promotes a culture of Patient & Family Centered Care throughout the unit and serves as a professional family leader to build and foster relationships with NICU families, providers, staff, hospital leaders, local community, the Vermont Oxford Network (VON), Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) and the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation. The Family Support Specialist works to ensure that parents are active members of the health care team. This position will coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of family centered, educational and social activities designed to support parents and families of NICU babies and NICU staff within the NICU setting. In order to fulfill this role the Family Support Specialist must be the parent of a graduate from the NICU at Sunnybrook.  This role reports to the Patient Care Manager of the NICU.  

Key Responsibilities includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Provides support to current NICU families
• Act as a trusted liaison between families, NICU staff, and leadership to enhance collaboration and shared decision-making.
• Develops and coordinates support activities for families in the NICU
• Is the co-chair of the Sunnybrook NICU Family Advisory Council.
• Provides support and oversight of NICU volunteers (cuddlers/parent support partners) including orientation, scheduling, and liaising with Volunteer Services to recruit and support parent partner volunteers
• Provides information to families about community resources that are available and updates this information as needed.
• Participates in the design, implementation and evaluation of services, programs or systems that enhance services to infants and families.
• Engaged in improving NICU performance through quality improvement activities
• Provides education for families and staff based on input from families using strategies that facilitate learning and open communication
• Provides education to all new staff, students and trainees on principles of Patient & Family Centred Care
• Participates in NICU committees (Unit Coordinating Team, Neonatal Intensive Care Quality Improvement Project (NICQ), others as the PCM determines to be relevant)
• Engage in public relations and community outreach activities to increase program visibility and support (ie Preemie Picnic)

Qualifications/Skills:

• Applicant must be a caregiver/guardian who has delivered a baby preferably in the Sunnybrook NICU, born at < 32-week gestation or any caregiver/guardian who had a baby preferably in the Sunnybrook NICU for > 1 month and who’s graduate child is now older than 1 year
• Strong understanding of NICU family dynamics, including emotional and medical challenges.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Must have completed Secondary School education
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Demonstrated computer skills in MS Office and Outlook

Additional Attributes:

• Highly organized, dynamic, and energetic.
• Compassionate and empathetic, with a focus on supporting families in stressful and intensive care settings.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.