MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER III

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Pension Plan

Deferred Compensation Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

The Cook County Health & Hospitals System is seeking a Medical Social Worker III for inpatient care in Chicago. This full-time role collaborates with nurse case managers, physicians, and unit staff to align patient needs with plan of care and connect families to community resources.

The position requires IL LSW or LCSW licensure, at least 1 year of hospital social work and experience with culturally diverse populations. Shift is 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, located in Health and Hospital Systems department.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed in Illinois as a LSW or LCSW.
• One (1) year of hospital social work experience is required.
• One (1) year of work experience with culturally diverse populations is required.

Responsibilities

• Screens and evaluates patients on the mandatory list, LOS >7 days, or referred by physicians/staff.
• Helps patients and caregivers understand treatment options and consequences.
• Assists/educates patients/caregivers regarding POA, advance directives, guardianship, community programs.
• Assesses need and makes recommendations regarding mental health or substance abuse treatment; facilitates referrals.
• Contributes to multi-disciplinary rounds with concise psychosocial history and discharge barriers.

Skills

Licensed Social Worker

Hospital social work

Culturally diverse populations

Tools

EMR

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Job Description - MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER III (00139576)

Job Description

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER III

Job Number:

00139576

Job Posting

Sep 22, 2026, 6:42:24 PM

Closing Date: Oct 7, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Full-time Shift Start Time: 8:00 A.M. Shift End Time: 4:00 P.M.

Collective Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 73 Posting Salary: $34.395- $41.539 HOURLY

Organization

Health and Hospital Systems

PLEASE BE ADVISED that this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the SEIU Union.Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, Cook County will exhaust internal eligible applicants prior to considering external applicants. Cook County is assembling a list of qualified candidates for this position that will be considered should the position not be filled with internal eligible applicants.

DEPARMENT: Care Coordination (In-Patient)

SHIFT: 8:00am-4:00pm

PAY RANGE: $34.395- $41.539 HOURLY

Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

The Medical Social Worker Ill (Inpatient) has a scope of responsibility that includes support of the patient and the plan of care. Working collaboratively with a nurse case manager, unit nursing staff, and physicians; the social worker utilizes their skills to align patient needs and patient preferences, assisting families faced with catastrophic illness or injury, identifying goals of care, and assist with unmet needs through linkages to community resources.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Screens and evaluates patients whose conditions are on mandatory list, patients with Length of Stay (LOS) greater than 7 days and those referred by physicians and/or unit staff.
• Helps patients and their caregivers understand treatment options and consequences as well as refusal or non-compliance with treatment.
• Helps patients process impact of illness or injury (short term).
• Assists/educates patients/caregivers regarding Power of Attorney (POA), advance directives, guardianship, community based supportive programs.
• Assesses need and makes recommendation regarding mental health or substance abuse treatment. Facilitates referral based upon payer requirements.
• Positively contributes to multi-disciplinary rounds by providing a concise psychosocial history, assessment results an d identified discharge barriers

Meets with partnered Nurse Case Manager (CM) on a daily basis for 15 minutes to review upcoming discharges and previous day admissions. Develops a plan of care.

Anticipates discharge needs (based on input from care team and nurse CM) and begins necessary paperwork e.g., Determination of Need (DON) screening, equipment etc. so that patients is ready to go when declared medically fit.

Advises patient of community-based resources.

Explains linkages to publicly funded insurance products.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be licensed in the State of Illinois as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (LCSW), or must obtain licensure in the State of Illinois prior to starting employmentis required
• One (1) year of hospital social work experienceis required
• One (1) year of work experience with culturally diverse populationsis required

PREFERREDQUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)is preferred
• Experience working with electronic medical record (EMR)is preferred
• Experience working with managed care insurance plansis preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook

Broad knowledge of community resources

Independently organizes/prioritizes work to accommodate areas of need and time sensitivity

Provides evidence of collaboration with other disciplines to support optimal patient outcomes

Ability to assist patients with understanding requirements for insurance

Ability to resolve conflict

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures:complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls, and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference a Veteranmust:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11).Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of avalid State ID Card or Driver’s Licensewhich identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada, must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

*Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications, and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing, or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.