Medical Social Consultant - Continuum of Care

This Position is temporary and limited to 900 hours.

Hiring Department
:
Continuum of Care

Location
:
Chicago, IL USA

Requisition : 1039035

# of Positions
: 8

Workplace Type
:
On‑Site

Posting Close Date
:
Thursday, January 22, 2026

Salary
:
The range for this position is $42.50 to $44.00 per hour.

About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health):
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. It is part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital, outpatient clinics and the Mile Square Health Center network. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity.

Learn more: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

This position is not eligible for benefits.

The Extra Help Medical Social Consultant (Social Worker) provides counseling, comprehensive psychosocial assessment and related functions for patients identified as needing social support or intervention. Serves as a collaborative partner with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate an appropriate transitional care plan. A progression of responsibility is evident in this series, ranging from routine duties to complex, highly diversified responsibilities requiring discretion and independent judgement under administrative direction.

Report to the director of Health Social Work and take direction from leadership under the Department of Health Social Work.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Meet directly with patients/families to perform a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental, and financial circumstances in conjunction with an interdisciplinary assessment of the patient. Recommend a plan of intervention based on mutually established goals.
• Conduct and document initial psychosocial assessment, appropriate interventions and expected transition in a comprehensive, clear, timely and legible manner, addressing reactions to illness, adjustments to the medical setting, compliance with the treatment plan, post‑hospital/clinic care needs and linkage to community resources.
• Facilitate health‑care surrogacy and/or guardianship processes for patients deemed non‑decisional by the medical team, in accordance with the Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act and hierarchy. Lead efforts to find family and/or surrogate decision makers, collaborating with the complex service line and legal department to file for Illinois state guardianship when necessary.
• Coordinate groups for supportive interventions or educational opportunities.
• Address financial issues related to insurance coverage and payment, referring to the Financial Case Management Unit.
• Resolve conflicts and manage complex family dynamics impacting the plan of care and discharge planning, coordinating complex clinical case conferences.
• Investigate, manage and report suspected abuse or neglect of minor children and vulnerable adults. Facilitate involvement of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Illinois Department on Aging and, when necessary, Chicago Police Department. Identify, report and provide intervention for suspected intimate partner violence or domestic violence of adults, and facilitate safety planning.
• Assess for depression and suicidal ideation using validated tools. Address psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders.
• Provide supportive care for patients considered for hospice/palliative care and participate in family meetings to discuss goals of care and end‑of‑life planning.
• Address needs for patients who are unhoused.
• Perform assessments of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems to prevent crises and/or hospitalization.
• Participate in quality improvement committees and other committees where social work involvement is warranted.
• Provide cross‑coverage to other clinics and inpatient medical units as assigned.
• Assist with training new staff and student interns.
• Assist in collecting and reporting financial indicators including length of stay, avoidable…