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University of Illinois Chicago

Medical Social Consultant - Continuum of Care

University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290

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Medical Social Consultant - Continuum of Care

Hiring Department : Continuum of Care

Location : Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID : 1036700

FTE : 1

Work Schedule : Tuesday through Saturday

Shift : Days

# of Positions : 1

Workplace Type : On-Site

Posting Close Date : September 18, 2025

Salary Range (commensurate with experience):

$67,329.60 - 88,000.00 / Annual Salary

About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. Learn more: https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health

Benefits

eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

Job Purpose : Report to the Director of Health Social Work and take direction from leadership under the Department of Health Social Work. The Social Worker provides counseling, comprehensive psychosocial assessment and related functions for patients identified as needing Behavioral Health Social Work support or intervention. Serves as collaborative partner with the members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate an appropriate transitional care plan. A progression of responsibility is evident in this series and ranges from simple, routine, and repetitive duties performed to duties that are complex and highly diversified requiring the exercise of discretion and independent judgment performed under administrative direction.

Duties & Responsibilities

Meets directly with patient/family to perform a comprehensive psychosocial assessment including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental and financial circumstances in conjunction with an interdisciplinary assessment of the patient. Recommends a plan of intervention based on mutually established goals.

Conducts and documents initial psychosocial assessment, appropriate interventions, and expected transition in a comprehensive, clear, timely and legible manner, addressing:

Reactions to illness and different abilities, especially the chronically and terminally ill.

Adjustment to the medical setting and compliance with the treatment plan

Adjustment/coping with post-hospital/clinic care needs and linkage to community resources

Facilitates health care surrogacy and/or guardianship process, for patients deemed non-decisional by medical team, in accordance with Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act and hierarchy. Leads efforts to find family and/or surrogate decision maker for patients. Collaborates with complex service line and the legal department to file for Illinois state guardian when necessary

Coordinates groups for supportive interventions or educational opportunities

Addresses financial issues related to insurance coverage and payment, refers to Financial Case Management Unit

Conflict resolution, management of complex family dynamics impacting plan of care and discharge planning, coordination of complex clinical case conferences

Investigation, management and reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of minor children and vulnerable adults. Facilitates involvement of IDCFS and other agencies as required

Assesses for depression and suicidal ideation using validated tools. Addresses psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders

Provides supportive care for patients considered for hospice/palliative care and participates in family meetings to discuss goals of care and end of life planning

Address needs for patients who are unhoused

Performs assessments of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems to prevent a crisis and/or hospitalization

Projects include but not limited to Social Work-related tasks:

Quality Improvement committees and other committees where Social Work involvement is warranted

Coverage/Training/Clinical Performance Activities may include:

Provide Cross Coverage to other clinics and inpatient medical units as assigned

Assist with training new staff and student interns

Assists in the collection and reporting of financial indicators including LOS, avoidable days, resource utilization, discharge barriers, cost per case, readmission rates and denials

Uses data to drive decisions and plan/implement performance improvement strategies related to social work for assigned patients/units

Collects data for discharge delays, over-utilization of resources, avoidable days, and other data for performance indicators

Participates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of tools in collaboration with healthcare team

Assumes responsibility for professional development and social work clinical education requirements by participating in workshops, conferences and/or in-services

Based on Program needs, develop and lead Groups or education sessions

Provide any functions that may be considered appropriate to the role or services as a Social Worker

Maintains competency for Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Clinical Licensure (LCSW) and credentialing of program to allow for revenue generation

Psychiatric transfers

Other Duties as assigned

Inpatient and Ambulatory Medical Social Work

Manages discharge planning through placement coordination and resource utilization

Actively participates in the stages of discharge planning and ensures plan of care is coordinated and communicated

Attends daily Multidisciplinary Rounds (MDRs) or Unit/Clinic rounds

Utilizes software to map resources from patient needs to insurance and resources

Coordinates action plans when barriers are present to facilitate resolution

Escalates to supervisor when barriers exist to resolution; proactively resolves delays to discharge

Coordinates discharge planning to ensure timely discharge to appropriate setting

Other Hospitals

Rehabilitative facilities

Extended care facilities

Sub-Acute Care or Group Homes

Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Care

Return to home or other living arrangement

Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and connects patients and families with these resources

Acts as an advocate on behalf of the patient for access to information, resources, or services

Reviews clinically high-risk cases and submits for weekly review

Engages Clinic Providers and Staff through regular contact and meetings

Facilitates transitions of care by engaging the clinical team and referring to ambulatory social work as appropriate

Transplant

Determine recipient suitability and guide through transplant phases

Discuss role to transplant candidates and coordinate with inpatient Social Work

Create compliance contracts and monitor post-transplant patients as needed

Attend transplant-related meetings and pursue credentialing as appropriate

Maternal & Child Health

Assist with adoption/guardianship and provide supportive services for pregnancy-related issues

Perinatal loss support; teen pregnancy/pregnancy support; mental health and substance use assessment antepartum and post-partum

Extensive DCFS involvement; knowledge of related resources

Attend biweekly Child Advocacy Team Meeting

Oncology

Distress assessment for cancer care; medical case management; bone marrow transplant candidacy assessments

Psychotherapy for cancer-related mental health concerns; psychosocial assessment in oncology

Behavioral Health

Administers tools (BPRS, GAD, PHQ-9, C-SSRS); assess psychiatric symptoms for admissions

Provides crisis intervention and codes response; specialized documentation

Bariatrics

Assess psychosocial suitability for bariatric surgery; provide interventions to address barriers

Follow-up with surgical candidates; participate in discharge planning and post-operative care

Collaborate on adherence contracts and discharge goals; participate in multidisciplinary meetings

Maintain knowledge of CMS, JACHO, ACS, ASMBS, MBSAQIP guidelines

Attend bariatric meetings and trainings

On-Call responsibilities

Provide after-hours phone consult, coordinate discharge planning, and document on-call activities

During disasters, assist with triage and communication as needed

Minimum Qualifications Required:

Master's degree from an accredited school or university in social or behavioral science or a related health specialty area.

Current

State of IL Licensure as a Licensed Social Worker or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in an acute care/hospital setting preferred.

To Apply:

For fullest consideration click on the Apply Now button, please fully complete all sections of the online application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections. You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the application.

Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date. Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

To apply, visit

https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/16788?c=uic

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