Extra Help - Medical Social Consultant - Continuum of Care (Maternal/Child)

This Position is temporary and limited to 900 hours.

Hiring Department: Continuum of Care (Maternal/Child)

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1039862

Hours per Week:

# of Positions: 4

Workplace Type: On-Site

Posting Close Date: Monday, April 6, 2026

Salary: The range of pay for this position is 42.50 per hour and 44.00 per hour.

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

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Position Summary

Report to the Director of Health Social Work and take direction from leadership under the Department of Health Social Work. The Extra Help Medical Social Consultant (Social Worker) provides counseling, comprehensive psychosocial assessment and related functions for patients identified as needing 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 And 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
• 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 Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). Facilitates involvement of Illinois Department on Aging. Identifies, reports, provides intervention, offers safety planning, and documents cases of suspected Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence of adults. Facilitates involvement of Chicago Police Department when deemed necessary
• 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
• Assesses for depression and suicidal ideation using validated tools. Addresses psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders
• 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, including financial, clinical, quality, and patient satisfaction data
• Collects data for discharge delays, over-utilization of resources, avoidable days, and other data for specific performance and/or outcome 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
• Psychiatric transfers
• Maintains competency for Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Clinical Licensure (LCSW) and credentialing of program to allow for the ability to generate revenue under billing of services.
• 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 that the plan of care is coordinated, facilitated, and effectively communicated to the Physician, healthcare team, patient/designated caregiver(s)
• Attends daily Multidisciplinary Rounds (MDRs) or Unit/Clinic based rounds
• Utilize appropriate software to cultivate resources mapped directly from the Patient’s medical, social, and cultural needs, insurance coverage, financial status, geographical preference, and physician recommendations
• Coordinates action plans when barriers are present to facilitate resolution
• Escalates to supervisor/director when barriers are present to facilitate resolution. Proactively identifies and resolves delays and obstacles to discharge. Utilizes advanced conflict resolution.
  
  

This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Nothing restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of progressively more responsible full-time experience in social work in a medical/clinical or social service agency setting.
  
  

Note: Allow points for Level I experience if applicant indicates documented volunteer experience and points for Level II experience if applicant indicates part of practicum/preceptorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) preferred
  
  

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

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.