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Milieu Therapist

Lurie Children's Hospital · Chicago, IL · $22.25–$36.38 an hour · Full time

Posted Jun 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you helped a young person through a crisis. What worked?

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience recognizing and intervening in patient crises, as the posting requires.

How do you take care of yourself after a hard shift on an inpatient psychiatric unit?

What they are checking: Whether they have real coping habits that let them stay steady in an emotionally heavy job.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker about how to handle a patient's behavior.

What they are checking: Whether they keep the team consistent for patients, since mixed messages undo the milieu.

What would you do

An adolescent on the unit starts escalating and yelling at another patient during group. What do you do first?

What they are checking: Whether they can de-escalate early and protect the rest of the milieu before things get physical.

How would you run a social skills group for patients ages 8 to 17 at the same time?

What they are checking: Whether they understand growth and development and can adapt one activity to many ages.

A parent calls and wants a detailed update on their child's day. What do you share and how?

What they are checking: Whether they give clear, honest progress reports within their role and know what to pass to the team.

A patient tells you something in private and asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they know safety concerns must be shared with the team and say so honestly.

This is an evening shift. How would you plan the hours before bedtime to keep the unit calm?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how routine and structure prevent problems on a pediatric psych unit.

About the work

How do you use behavior modification in a way that still feels fair and caring to a teen?

What they are checking: Whether they can apply structure consistently without becoming punitive or cold.

What do you document after an incident on the unit, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they write factual, timely notes that the treatment team can rely on.

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The full job description

As published by Lurie Children's Hospital.

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. Evening (United States of America) Location Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Job Description Under the direction of the Charge Nurse, Clinical Managers/Manager of Clinical Services or Unit Director, functions as a leader of milieu activities and supporter of clinical operations within the treatment team. Knowledgeable and competent in identifying and intervening in patient crises. Provides consistent reports of patient progress to parent(s)/guardian and treatment team. Understands and integrates into the delivery of patient care the needs of pediatric and adolescent patients in regard to their growth and development process. The position actively supports the Hospital's and the Department's quality goals and service excellence principles. 1. Clinician - Provides direct patient care in a therapeutic environment focusing on areas of behavior modification, improved social skills, more effective coping skills, etc. - Completes duties assigned by Charge Nurse, Clinical Managers/ Manager of Clinical Services and/or Unit Director. - Leads and co-leads milieu activities per program. - Actively sets and communicates age/developmentally appropriate individual goals, expectations and behavioral limits within the parameters of the program. - Implements plans of care and individual behavior programs initiated by team. - Assists in group therapy, recreational therapy, classroom and other activities as assigned. - Maintains safety in the milieu, utilizing prevention and de-escalation CCM techniques. - Independently performs unit specific procedures, protocols and precautions. - Intervenes in anticipated emergency situations and knows emergency protocols. - Communicates changes in health or behavior to appropriate staff (nurse, primary therapist, physician, etc.). - Documents patient status and progress in patient's Medical Record as per program guidelines. 2. Team Membership - Supports clinical operations and decisions related to treatment plans. - Responds to environmental concerns (maintenance/cleanliness) of the area. - Participates in staff meetings as scheduled. - Adheres to scheduling requirements. 3. Professional Development. - Maintains mandatory yearly reviews. - Appropriately seeks out supervision to function in professional role. - Assumes responsibility for professional development through participation in continuing educational events, conferences, group supervision and in-services, etc. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1. Bachelor’s degree required in psychology, nursing, social services or other related fields. Minimum of one year of direct experience in a mental health setting, paid or unpaid, preferred. 2. Must have strong knowledge of basic child care and development, mental disorders affecting children, signs of physical abuse/neglect, appropriate adult conduct towards normal and disturbed children, etc. 3. Special physical requirements: sits and stands throughout the day. Physical management of patients in crisis situation may be necessary. Education Bachelor's Degree (Required) Pay Range $22.25-$36.38 Hourly At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits. 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 Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “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. For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org AI Notice Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals. It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes. For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org

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