Advanced Practice Provider (APP) – LCSW or LPC
NICU & PICU | UVA Health Children’s | Charlottesville, Virginia
Support families when it matters most.
At UVA Health Children’s, pediatric critical care is not just about advanced medicine. It is about meeting families at their most vulnerable moments with compassion, clinical expertise, and unwavering partnership. We are seeking an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) to join our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in an Advanced Practice Provider role designed for clinicians who want meaningful autonomy, interdisciplinary respect, and the opportunity to shape how behavioral health is delivered in a high acuity pediatric environment.
This role is ideal for clinicians who value autonomy in clinical judgment, thrive in medically complex settings, and are energized by building and evolving care models within an academic children’s hospital.
The Role
This APP behavioral health position is embedded directly within UVA Health Children’s NICU and PICU, supporting families of infants and children facing critical illness, trauma, and prolonged hospitalization. You will function as an autonomous clinician while working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with pediatric intensivists, neonatologists, nurses, and subspecialists.
In this role, you will:
Maintain clinical autonomy to assess, diagnose, and deliver psychotherapy in a fast paced pediatric critical care setting
Provide individual, couples, and family therapy, helping caregivers cope with grief, trauma, uncertainty, and complex medical decision-making
Serve as a consistent behavioral health presence for families experiencing extended ICU stays
Collaborate daily with a highly interdisciplinary care team, contributing psychosocial insight that directly informs care planning
Help develop and refine behavioral health workflows within the NICU and PICU as the service continues to evolve
What an average day looks like:
Participating in interdisciplinary rounds where psychosocial dynamics are integrated into treatment planning
Providing real-time therapy and crisis support in response to acute family needs
Partnering with physicians and nursing leaders around communication strategies, ethical stressors, and family support
Balancing scheduled sessions with responsive, bedside care
The pace is dynamic, the work is emotionally meaningful, and the impact is tangible every day.
Advanced Practice Provider Scope of Practice:
Clinical
Provides expert evidence-based, top-of-scope care in their clinical practice
Acts as part of a specialty team, collaborating with other clinicians as appropriate
Provides health education to patients
Maintains accurate, timely, and thorough documentation
Ensures compliance with institutional and regulatory standards
Leadership
Supports development of best practices and protocols in specialty
Serves on committees and workgroups to enhance patient care
Provides education to learners in the clinical space
Mentors new team members
Administration
Contributes to clinical quality improvement work
Participates in professional governance through the APP Council
Attends team development meetings at local and departmental levels
Professional
Adheres to ASPIRE values in all professional interactions
Maintains appropriate licenses, certifications, and specialty training competencies
Participates in local, state, and national professional organizations
Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. All safety-sensitive positions with direct patient interaction also require a drug screen.
Why UVA Health
UVA Health Children’s is part of a nationally recognized academic health system anchored by a Level I Trauma Center, a Level IV NICU, and one of the most advanced pediatric critical care programs in the region. UVA Health Children’s is consistently recognized as the #1 children’s hospital in Virginia, supported by Magnet recognized nursing excellence and a deeply collaborative culture. Pediatric Critical Care at UVA Health Children’s offers:
Comprehensive care for critically ill children from birth through young adulthood, including acute, chronic, and medically complex conditions
Dedicated medical and cardiac PICU teams with access to advanced therapies such as extracorporeal support, congenital heart surgery, heart failure care, and transplant services
A deeply interdisciplinary model where behavioral health, medical teams, and family centered care are fully integrated
Strong academic infrastructure with opportunities to contribute to program development, quality improvement, and innovation within pediatric critical care
Why this role matters:
Behavioral health is a strategic and valued component of pediatric critical care at UVA
You will have a voice in shaping how families are supported across the NICU and PICU continuum
The environment supports professional judgment, collaboration, and clinical growth within academic medicine
Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
Why People Love Living in Charlottesville
Charlottesville offers a rare combination of intellectual energy, natural beauty, and balance that resonates strongly with healthcare professionals. Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area provides easy access to hiking, cycling, wineries, and outdoor recreation, alongside a vibrant food scene, arts community, and strong public schools. The pace of life allows clinicians to recharge outside of work while remaining part of a close‑knit, purpose driven community.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited social work program required
Experience: 3 years’ experience post master’s required.
Licensure: Licensed to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Virginia (LCSW) or applicants with an active license from another state must obtain Virginia LCSW within 18 months of hire date.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Job requires sitting for prolonged periods, standing/traveling or use of assistive and climbing (stairs, steps). Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail, hear, speak, see, distinguish colors, read, ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull less than 20lbs. May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.
The pay range for this role is $61,443.20 - $98,300.80 annually. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.
Benefits
Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off, Long-term and Short-term Disability, Retirement Savings
Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
Certification and education support
Generous Paid Time Off
UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
