Utilization Review Clinician - Behavioral Health

Centene Corporation; Kansas; Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Centene Corporation seeks a Behavioral Health Utilization Management reviewer to perform clinical documentation reviews and assess care related to mental health and substance use. It ensures level of care is medically appropriate across BH services.

The role requires a Master’s degree in mental health, counseling, or social work (or nursing), plus active licensure. Experience in BH utilization review, prior authorizations, and collaboration with providers is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mental Health, Counseling, or Social Work, or nursing graduate with 2-4 years of behavioral health experience.
• State licensure to practice independently is required as per applicable state regulations.
• Clinical knowledge to review and assess treatment plans for mental health and substance abuse.
• Knowledge of behavioral health utilization review processes and audits.
• Experience collaborating with Medicaid/government-sponsored programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates member’s treatment for mental health and substance abuse to ensure appropriate level of care.
• Performs prior authorization reviews for mental health and substance abuse services.
• Conducts concurrent review of BH inpatient care and discharge planning.
• Analyzes BH data to improve quality and utilization of services.
• Educates providers, members, and families on BH utilization processes.
• Interacts with BH providers and medical directors to discuss care levels.
• Presents cases in staffing and integrated rounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned and adheres to policies.

Skills

Clinical knowledge

Utilization review

Audit experience

Provider education/collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Mental Health/Counseling/Social Work

Nursing degree (Accredited School Nursing)

Job description

Position Purpose:

Performs clinical documentation reviews and assesses care related to mental health and substance abuse. Monitors and determines if level of care and services related to mental health and substance abuse are medically appropriate.

Key Details:

LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, or RNs with direct Psychiatric IOP, Managed Care Behavioral Health Utilization Mgt/ Utilization Review, or BH Care Management experience will be considered. Candidates with direct experience auditing and reviewing behavioral health intake assessments, BH treatment plans, and BH healthcare services related to mental health and substance abuse.

NOTE: Licensed applicants must have one of the approved, independent clinical licensure(s) listed above, and it must be issued from the state of Texas.

Required Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (CST) and some holidays may also be required.

• Evaluates member’s treatment for mental health and substance abuse before, during, and after services to ensure level of care and services are medically appropriate
• Performs prior authorization reviews related to mental health and substance abuse to determine medical appropriateness in accordance with regulatory guidelines and criteria
• Performs concurrent review of behavioral health (BH) inpatient to determine overall health of member, treatment needs, and discharge planning
• Analyzes BH member data to improve quality and appropriate utilization of services
• Provides education to providers, members, and their families regarding BH utilization processes
• Interacts with BH healthcare providers as appropriate to discuss level of care and/or services
• Engages with medical directors and leadership to improve the quality and efficiency of care
• Formulates and presents cases in staffing and integrated rounds
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Comply with all policies and standards

Education/Experience (Required)

• Requires a Master’s degree related to Mental Health, Counseling, or Social Work, or a graduate of an Accredited School Nursing and 2 - 4 years of related behavioral health/ psychiatric experience.
• License to practice independently and have obtained the state required licensure as outlined by the applicable state is required.
• Clinical knowledge and ability to review and/or assess treatment plans related to mental health and substance abuse preferred.
• Knowledge of mental health and substance abuse utilization review process preferred.
• Experience working with mental health providers and behavioral health healthcare teams.

Experience (Ideal/Preferred)

• 4+ years of auditing medical necessity reviews and assessing various levels of care (LOCs) for adult and children (ages: 0 - 65)
• 2+ years of experience working and collaborating with Medicaid providers or Community Mental Health providers
• Experience working with state and government sponsored programs (e.g. Medicaid, Medicare, or Marketplace Commercial insurance)

License/Certification(s)(must Be Issued By The Applicable State Of TEXAS)

• LCSW- License Clinical Social Worker required or
• LMHC-Licensed Mental Health Counselor required or
• LPC-Licensed Professional Counselor required or
• Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) required or
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required

Pay Range: $27.02 - $48.55 per hour

At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives - and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday.

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act