Utilization Review Specialist, Behavioral Health
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.
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
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.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 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–$152k | Case Management & Care Coordination median $69k (middle half $59k–$94k)44 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$115k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Case Management & Care Coordination listings in California | 34 active | 560 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 48% remote · 25% no call · 68% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US 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 |
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.
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