Assistant Director, Utilization Review

UI Health; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 112,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

UI Health, a leading public academic medical center in Chicago, seeks an RN leader for Utilization Management and Discharge Planning. The role focuses on cost-effective, safe, and timely care coordination, embedding processes that align with UI Health goals and improving staff productivity.

You will work with interdisciplinary teams to optimize transitions of care, ensure compliance with CMS, and supervise records while driving quality initiatives across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required.
• Current license as a Professional Registered Nurse in Illinois required.
• Five+ years Utilization Management and Discharge Planning experience required.
• Proficiency in data analysis and training experience.
• Knowledge of payer reimbursement processing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and assess resource utilization to ensure cost-effectiveness, safety, clinical appropriateness and quality of care.
• Supervise and audit medical records per CMS requirements.
• Participate in daily huddles and rounds to support throughput and discharge planning.
• Train, coach and evaluate staff to promote safety and quality.
• Assist Director in staff development and delivery of utilization review services.
• Collect data and generate reports to track departmental goals and assess procedures.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Job description

Posted on: 10/5/2026 - Application Deadline: 10/23/2026

\Pay Range\:The salary range ofemployees currently holding equivalent position is $112,406 - $135,775.

\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 intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

\Description:\

Position Summary

The incumbent will be responsible for leading and assessing appropriate utilization of resources accomplished through efforts that are cost effective, safe, clinically appropriate, and enhance quality of care. Promotes and facilitates appropriate admission status, and facilitates movement through the healthcare continuum by implementing processes that ensure timely and proactive care coordination and discharge planning. Integrates department services with other departments and medical staff initiatives. This will include implementation of procedures consistent with the goals and objectives of the Health System. The duties and responsibilities are established to assure efficient Utilization Management and Discharge Planning and staff productivity processing that directly affects UI Health's financial status. Expert knowledge of internal and external staff productivity modalities and positive communication with medical and house staff & UI Health personnel will assist in assuring success.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze length of stay data. Develop useful reports related to Transitions of care, LOS, denials, initial and concurrent reviews, and initial authorization among other areas
• Supervise and audit initial and ongoing medical records as required by CMS Conditions of Participation
• Attend daily huddles, weekly Clinical High Risk rounds, and support staff and multiple departments and nursing units with throughput and discharge barrier elimination
• Trains, orients, coaches, evaluates effectiveness and competence of staff to promote safety and quality
• Assist the Director with training, supervising, and developing staff to provide quality and efficient utilization review and discharge planning services to UI Health patients
• Collect and analyze data for staff productivity. Develop reports that track departmental goals. Evaluate effectiveness and adequacy of procedures, quality, and recommend and implement modifications (CQI).
• Ensures compliance with recommendations and requirements from external agencies such as accreditation, certification/licensing and other regulatory bodies.
• Assist Director with assigning staff duties and functions as departmental contact in the absence of the Director.
• Function as staff preceptor and resource person. Provide excellent customer service and model leadership
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required
• Current license as a Professional Registered Nurse from the State of Illinois required.
• Minimum of five (5) years Utilization Management and Discharge Planning experience required.
• Proficiency in Data Analysis and training experience.
• Knowledge of Payer Reimbursement Processing

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Preferred candidate has experience working with both providers and payor sources.

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.

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.

\Looking for more University of Illinois positions?\

We invite you to search for positions at each of the University of Illinois locations, the University of Illinois System Office and the University of Illinois Foundation. The University of Illinois System Office supports the primary missions of teaching, research, public service, and economic development for all of the Universities and offers positions in all locations. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University of Illinois and also offers position in all locations.

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, covid sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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.