Sutter Health logo
Sutter Health
Berkeley, California

Utilization Review Specialist, Behavioral Health

Case Management / Care CoordinationNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$48.78-$73.17/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization

ABSMC-Alta Bates Herrick Campus

Position Overview

Accumulates, interprets, and documents timely information to justify acute hospital admission, need for continued stay, and proper utilization of physician, nursing, and ancillary services. Responsible for concurrent review on specific patients.

Develops, coordinates and monitors systems for the appeal/denial process, tracks and trends data, and coordinates utilization management activities for the assigned area.

Collaborates with hospital administration, medical staff, patient registration and representatives of review organizations and others to ensure effective utilization of services and appropriate service reimbursement.

Monitors and acts as a liaison between external payers, internal business office, admissions staff, and clerical unit staff to assure that quality care is delivered at the appropriate level of service and that documentation of care meets appropriate standards.

Interfaces with hospital administration and unit medical doctors and provides data related to the current management of resources. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care.

Job Description

  • DEPARTMENT REQUIRED EDUCATION
  • Department, Behavioral Health: Master’s in Social Work or related field

Skills and Knowledge

Working knowledge of medical terminology, including general knowledge of illnesses, current treatments and their physical and psychosocial sequelae

Knowledge of alternate levels of care including criteria required for payment and applications processes

Ability to interpret a variety of data and instructions, furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Possess written and verbal communications skills to communicate with fellow team members, supervisors, patients, and other hospital personnel

Well-developed time management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize assignments and work within standardized policies and procedures to achieve objectives and meet deadlines

Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications, such as Crystal Report writing, Midas Plus, Excel, Sunrise, MS Word, PCIS, and InterQual

Work independently, as well as be part of the team, including accomplishing multiple tasks in an environment with interruptions

Identify, evaluate and resolve standard problems by selecting appropriate solutions from established options

Ensure the privacy of each patient’s protected health information (PHI)

Build collaborates relationships with peers and other staff members to achieve departmental and corporate objectives

Job Shift

Days

Schedule: Full Time

Shift Hours

8

Days of the Week

Monday - Friday

Weekend Requirements

None

Benefits

Yes

Unions

No

Position Status: Non-Exempt

Weekly Hours

40

Employee Status

Regular

  • Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
  • Pay Range is $48.78 to $73.17 / hour

The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location.

Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Responsibilities

The specialist documents and interprets information to justify acute hospital admissions and continued stays while coordinating the appeal and denial process. They also act as a liaison between external payers and internal staff to ensure quality care and appropriate service reimbursement.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field. Proficiency in medical terminology, utilization management criteria, and various computer applications like Midas Plus and InterQual is required.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Utilization reviewData analysisCrystal ReportsCommunicationProblem solvingRegulatory compliance

Case Management & Care Coordination Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$127k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $115k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Case Management & Care Coordination listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 25% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

What does the Case Management & Care Coordination market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · top 25% in case management & care coordination (healthcare admin)ranked against 551 Case Management & Care Coordination (Healthcare Admin) listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$101k–$152kCase Management & Care Coordination median $69k (middle half $59k–$94k)44 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$115k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Case Management & Care Coordination listings in California34 active560 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 48% remote · 25% no call · 68% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS healthcare professional listings: 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $4k) · 6% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Oct 2026
Case Management & Care Coordination pay trend−8.3% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (551 Case Management & Care Coordination (Healthcare Admin) listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Utilization Review Specialist, Behavioral Health at Sutter Health a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Case Management & Care Coordination (Healthcare Admin) — ranked against 551 active Case Management & Care Coordination (Healthcare Admin) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Top Healthcare Admin Jobs

26 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

26 jobs · 20 employers
10
<$100k
7
$100k-125k
6
$125k-150k
3
$150k-175k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

23 jobs · 20 employers
401k / retirement match
96% this job
Sign-on bonus
22%
Loan repayment
4%
CME allowance
4%
PSLF eligible
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Manager Physician Contract Operations - Work at Home

Bon Secours Mercy Health · Remote - Nationwide

$51.42-$82.29/hr
#2

Physician Relations Team Manager

Navista · Remote

$107k-$168k
#3

Physician Relations Team Manager

$107k-$168k
#4

Director of Physician Support Services

$98k-$136k
+ 24 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 6.4
Better work-life than 80% of Case Management & Care Coordination (Healthcare Admin) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 551 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights
Sutter Health logo

About Sutter Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Sacramento, California
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off

Living in Berkeley

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.54M
Typical market rent
$2,853/mo
Residents’ average commute
28 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.