Bilingual Medical Social Associate (Transition Coordinator) - Continuum of Care

Hiring Department: Continuum of Care

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1031414

FTE: 1

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm

Shift: Flex Days

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Posting Close Date: March 26, 2025

Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $58,676.80 - 71,864.00 / Annual Salary

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. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. Learn more: https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health

Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits .

Position Summary:

The Medical Social Associate acts as the primary contact for patient engagement with access to care, identification and reconnecting with patient Primary Care Physician and specialists, referrals to community-based resources and support, responsible for ongoing relationships with the healthcare community and ambulatory sites of care. The Associate will be responsible for evaluating/improving processes to access health care at UIH and within the community, identifying best practices that can be replicated, training and supervising volunteers of Patient Navigation services. They provide a variety of support services to the technical, professional, administrative or management operations of an organization. Reports to Senior Quality Specialist / Director, Care Management.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Initiate communication with patient to educate and schedule follow up visits as necessary with their Primary Care Physician (PCP).
• Schedule follow up care as indicated by the medical team, in conjunction with the patient/caregiver.
• Assess in-network care locations for patient follow up and educate patients and primary team regarding options.
• Facilitates necessary referrals to outpatient sites of care.
• Guide patients through the health care system and assesses and resolves barriers to patients arriving at scheduled appointments on time and prepared.
• Assist patients in accessing services and programs at UI Health and within the community; assists with setting up transportation if needed.
• Facilitates patient interaction and communication with healthcare staff and providers
• Able to personally speak with constituents to assess their barriers in accessing care, through a state wide referral system.
• Work with patients to create a plan to reduce those barriers.
• Help provide the services and support that the patients and their families may require, including case management.
• Initiating external referrals in an effort to assist our patients
• Responsible for verifying patient demographics, including next of kin and emergency contact with each encounter.
• Comprehensively provides or recommends social service and private financial support to assure patients’ medication is affordable, resulting in greater clinical compliance to treatments and services.
• Attends committee meetings, medical rounds, and other planning/organizational meetings as requested.
• Identify and develop relationships with other referral sources.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and assists in collecting data regarding quality measures
• Identify gaps in resources offered and work within the community to bridge those gaps.
• Conduct follow-up calls to patients, families and caregivers as indicated
• Utilizes evidence/best practices when developing patient education materials
• Advises underinsured patients to take corrective actions to enhance their insurance coverage.
• Performs quality control review of a variety of administrative documents or transactions.
• Transportation requests by Medical staff and from patient or their families for the purpose of discharge from the Medical center, rides to or from clinical appointments or procedures.
• Complete Assessments for various Diagnostic issues, such as Stroke, HIV, Homelessness, RISK for Readmissions, etc.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• A. Bachelor's degree with a major in the social or behavioral science or related health specialty from an accredited college or university.
  
  

OR

B. Master's degree in social or behavioral science or related health specialty area from an accredited college or university.

• 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
• Must be able to communicate effectively (written and verbal) in both English and Spanish
  
  

To Apply: For fullest consideration click on the Apply Now button, please fully complete all sections of the online application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections. You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the application.

Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date. Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.

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