Case Manager, Behavioral Health (Per Diem)

St. Luke’s University Health Network; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's University Health Network seeks a qualified behavioral health professional to provide comprehensive care for psychiatric inpatients from admission through discharge.

The role involves coordinating with a multidisciplinary team, conducting assessments, and facilitating patient and family sessions. The position requires a Master’s in Social Work or Counseling or related field, PA RN license or equivalent social work licensure, and experience in discharge planning.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling or related field.
• PA RN licensure or MSW/LPC licensure.
• Bachelor’s in Nursing or Licensed Social Worker/MSW/LPC required or pursued within 3 years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assess and coordinate care for psychiatric inpatients from admission to discharge.
• Participate in daily rounds with multidisciplinary team and contribute clinical recommendations.
• Facilitate patient sessions with patient and family and coordinate discharge planning.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Discharge planning

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling or related field

Registered Professional Nurse license (PA)

Bachelor’s in Nursing or Licensed Social Worker/MSW/LPC

Job description

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care. Willing to work at least 2 shifts per month. Willing to work at any location- SLQ, SLL, SLSH, or SLE. To provide comprehensive care of psychiatric patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit from admission through discharge, by maximizing available internal and external resources to reduce length of stay and improve quality of care. It includes assessing, planning, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating health and community related services to meet a patient’s physical, psychosocial, vocational, and health needs in a cost effective, outcomes-oriented and timely manner. As department needs change, the services may be performed at any level within the Network’s continuum of services and/or sites.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.
• Performs admission review on all inpatients.
• Attends daily patient rounds and shares professional knowledge, making appropriate recommendations regarding clinical and programmatic needs of patients as it relates to professional knowledge base and existing treatment criteria.
• Participates in individual patient care meetings with multidisciplinary team members and the patient/family to evaluate progress and to identify and resolve problems that may interfere with a positive patient outcome.
• Facilitate individual sessions with patient, patient & family, and any other significant others according to therapeutic needs and program practices.
• Assesses discharge planning needs to ensure a safe, timely and efficient discharge.
• Identifies variances during the patient’s stay in order to evaluate and improve processes that affect the efficiency and quality of patient care.
• Arranges for community services (including short and long-term placement) prior to discharge to meet patient’s needs with recognition and documentation of patient choice of service providers.
• Demonstrates effective use of these resources within established reimbursement guidelines.
• Provides patient / family education and advocacy, as appropriate.
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of mental health laws regarding patients’ rights and voluntary/involuntary commitment proceedings, coordinating such proceedings with necessary personnel.
• Maintains appropriate, timely, and effective communication with patients, families, community agencies, physicians, nursing staff, department managers, ancillary departments, and the Manager regarding variances, aspects of patient care management.
• Facilitates insurance authorization, pre-certification, and concurrent reviews for assigned patients.
• Maintains clinical records of all patient contact and clinical reviews, according to hospital policy and other regulatory guidelines (i.e., State, JCAHO). Documentation is completed in a professional and timely manner and includes interventions, recommendations, and referrals.
• In time of need, evaluates patients in the Emergency Room and/or in-house transfers for admission and/or referral to appropriate level of care.
• May assist in the utilization management of psychiatric cases in the absence of the utilization management coordinator.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Able to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing).
• Positive interpersonal skills required.
• Sits stands and walks for extended periods of time.
• Requires some light lifting.
• Potential for participation in therapeutic recreational activities.

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling or related field.
• Registered Professional Nurse with a current license to practice in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required (or in pursuit and obtained within 3 years of hire) OR Licensed Social Worker, MSW, or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• At least 2 to 5 years of clinical experience providing care to patients with mental health illness.
• Previous experience in discharge planning and case management models preferred.
• Current Behavioral Health department program for De-Escalation Training within 90 days of hire.

Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke’s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. The Network’s flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke’s was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke’s is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke’s has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke’s was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke’s was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row.

Learn More Here.