Medical Social Associate (Discharge Planner), Correctional Medicine

University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) invites applications for a Medical Social Associate (Discharge Planner) in Correctional Medicine. This on-site role serves inmates with social services coordination, housing, insurance enrollment and post-release planning.

The position is located on the Rockford campus, requires collaboration with medical and psychiatry teams, and offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits. Work pattern is 8 AM–5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social/behavioral science or related health field
• At least 1 year of progressively responsible full-time experience in social services or medical/clinical settings

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on social services to inmates, including assessments, case planning, follow-up and documentation in the EMR.
• Prepare care plans describing services the client may need and how to assess medical or social services needs.
• Advocate to obtain necessary services; provide referrals and follow up within a multidisciplinary team.
• Provide patients with information on university/agency services and assist with support services (e.g., SSI, housing, transportation).
• Assist with health insurance enrollment and certification as needed.
• Maintain statistical information and complete files on resources; participate in local coordinating meetings.

Skills

Social services guidance

Case planning

Documentation in EMR

Education

Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral science

Master's degree in social/behavioral science

Tools

EMR

Job description

Medical Social Associate (Discharge Planner), Correctional Medicine

Hiring Department: Family and Community Medicine, Correctional Medicine

Location: 650 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61102

Requisition ID:1043582

FTE: 1.0

Posting Close Date: 11/19/2026

Work Schedule: 8 AM-5 PM, M-F

Workplace Type: On-Site

Salary Range: The budgeted salary range for the position is $55,000-$59,000 annually. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

This position is located on the Rockford campus 90 miles northwest of Chicago.

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position will serve our inmates in social services including educational information, referrals for assistance and follow up, assessment of SDoH, registration for insurance coverage, assistance with appointment scheduling prior to release, collaboration with the judicial system, and coordination with both medical and psychiatry services prior to discharge. This position will serve the needs of individuals returning to society from the Winnebago County Jail.

• This position is intended to be eligible for benefits.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on social services to inmates, including assessments, case planning, follow-up and documentation in the EMR.
• Prepare care plans describing the services the client may need and use and the method of assessing medical and/or drug treatment and needed social services.
• Advocate on the clients' behalf to obtain necessary and appropriate services; provides referrals and follow up services within a multidisciplinary team of providers.
• Provide patients with information and university/agency services and assist with support services and; such as disabilities (SSI), food pantries, guardianship, Meals on Wheels, homeless shelters/housing, child care assistance programs, homemaker services, home health, services through the Department of Aging, parenting classes, transportation, mental health issues, substance and domestic abuse counseling, etc.
• Assists patients in the health insurance enrollment process requiring certification as a Certified Application Counselor.
• Assembles and maintains necessary statistical information for administration as required i.e. daily work logs
• Maintain complete and accurate files on all community resources.
• Participate in local coordinating committee meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree with a major in the social or behavioral science or related health specialty from an accredited college or university. OR Master's degree in social or behavioral science or related health specialty area from an accredited college or university.
2. One (1) year (12 months) of progressively more responsible full-time experience in the practice of social services / agencies or medical/clinical setting maintaining acceptable standards of social work practices

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.