Utilization Review Clinician - Behavioral Health

Centene Corporation; Louisiana (MO); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K and stock purchase plans

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Centene Corporation seeks a clinical reviewer to assess care for mental health and substance use, ensuring level of care and medical appropriateness across services.

The role requires Louisiana licensure, a nursing or behavioral health credential, and 2–4 years of related experience. Work schedules follow 8:00 AM–5:00 PM CST on Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday.

This position supports provider education, care coordination, and utilization review within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Requires Graduate of an Accredited School Nursing or Bachelor's degree and 2–4 years of related experience.
• License to practice independently and state licensure as outlined by state.
• Master’s degree for behavioral health clinicians required.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Performs concurrent review of behavioral health inpatient to determine overall health and discharge planning.
• Analyzes BH member data to improve quality and appropriate utilization of services.
• Provides education to providers, members, and families regrading BH utilization process.
• Interacts with BH healthcare providers to discuss level of care and/or services.
• Engages with medical directors and leadership to improve quality and efficiency of care.
• Formulates and presents cases in staffing and integrated rounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Clinical review

Utilization review

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education providers/families

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree in behavioral health

Job description

Position Purpose

Performs a clinical review 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

This position requires candidates to reside in Louisiana and hold an active, unrestricted Louisiana license. The schedule is either Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday, working 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST. Candidates must be able to consistently work one of these designated schedules.

• 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 regrading BH utilization process
• 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.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Education/Experience

Requires Graduate of an Accredited School Nursing or Bachelor's degree and 2 – 4 years of related experience.
License to practice independently, and/or have obtained the state required licensure as outlined by the applicable state required.
Master’s degree for behavioral health clinicians 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 providers and healthcare teams to review care services related to mental health and substance abuse preferred.

License/Certification

• 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
• Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) required or
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required

Pay Range

Pay Range: $27.02 - $48.55 per hour

About Centene

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.

Benefits

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Additional Considerations

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