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Utilization Review Clinician - Behavioral Health

Centene · LA · Remote available · $27.02–$48.55 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This role requires an active Louisiana license and a Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday schedule. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to the weekend coverage the team depends on.

Tell me about a tense conversation with a provider about level of care. How did it go?

What they are checking: Whether they stay professional and collaborative when providers push back on a review.

How would you explain the utilization review process to a family member who is confused about why their loved one's stay is under review?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate clearly and kindly about a process that often feels adversarial to families.

What would you do

A facility says a member isn't ready for discharge but the record doesn't show active treatment. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can ask for the missing information and escalate appropriately rather than guess.

You notice the same member keeps getting readmitted within 30 days. What would you do with that information?

What they are checking: Whether they use member data to trigger care management referrals and quality improvement, not just process the next review.

How do you keep up with turnaround deadlines when you have a heavy queue and several urgent requests?

What they are checking: Their ability to prioritize by urgency and regulatory timelines without cutting corners on clinical review.

About the work

Walk me through a concurrent review for a member in inpatient psychiatric care on day five of their stay.

What they are checking: Whether they can judge ongoing medical necessity, treatment progress and discharge readiness from the clinical record.

How do you decide whether a member with substance use disorder needs residential treatment or can step down to intensive outpatient?

What they are checking: Their working knowledge of level of care criteria such as ASAM and how they apply it to a real case.

How do you start discharge planning early in a behavioral health stay?

What they are checking: Whether they see discharge planning as part of review, which reduces readmissions and gaps in follow-up care.

When would you send a case to a medical director rather than approve it yourself?

What they are checking: Their understanding that clinicians approve within criteria and physicians make adverse determinations.

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The full job description

As published by Centene.

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: $27.02 - $48.55 per hour 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. 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. 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. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act

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