At Integrea Community Mental Health System, you’re not just joining a workplace—you’re joining a mission‑driven team that cares deeply about its consumers, its community, and each other. We invest in our employees with comprehensive benefits—including Blue Cross/Blue Shield health and dental, vision and supplemental insurance options, the security of participating in the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) and guaranteed 40‑hour workweeks for full‑time staff. 

Position Summary:

This UR Coordinator is both administrative and clinical in nature and will require organization and tracking of utilization review information for the mental health centers of Alabama designated as belonging to Region 3 (East Central Mental Health Center, Carastar Health, and Integrea Community Mental Health System). This employee will be supervised by the Clinical Director and is an employee of Integrea Community Mental Health System. This employee will also be responsible for reporting and obtaining information for the Executive Directors of the other Region 3 mental health centers and ADMH. This position requires a high level of clinical expertise as well as a thorough understanding of the principles of utilization review as applied to community mental health residential programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinates with the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) on issues related to housing/residential/crisis slots in Region 3 area (counties serviced by East Central Mental Health Center, Carastar Health, and Integrea Community Mental Health System):
  • Responsible for collecting, tracking, and reporting UR data provided by
  • Region 4 CMHCs via the UR tracking protocol spreadsheets/documents specified by ADMH in a timely and accurate manner (i.e. census, readmissions, discharges, etc).
  • Assists ADMH in maintaining a complete and accurate database for all certified housing/residential programs, as well as CRUs and DMHF Hospitals, in the Mental Illness Community Residential Services (MICRS) reporting system.
  • Monitor lengths of stay in residential programs in the Region.
  • Conduct Discharge Planning Conference call at least once per month with all Region 3 providers to staff consumers currently under Civil Commitment or at risk of Civil Commitment who are at Bryce Hospital, DMHF CRU, and/or DMHF Hospital as well as staff consumers in housing/residential who need outplacement and barriers complicate such discharge.
  • Attends/participates in the monthly staffing of Bryce consumers held by ADMH and be prepared to discuss housing/residential vacancies throughout Region 3.
  • Attends training related to UR function as provided and/or coordinated by ADMH.
  • Participates with trainings and meetings to assist ADMH and the Regional Board of Supervisors (BOS).
  • Actively participates in the utilization review and management of continuum and Region 3 resources.
• Acts as residential placement liaison for consumers in Region 3 and their assigned community mental health centers:
  • Develops a working knowledge of all community mental health center operated/contracted housing/residential services in area relative to admission criteria.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of all CMHC residential and housing services in Region 3, state hospitals and designated mental health facilities, and inpatient community resources serving the Region.
  • Makes regular contacts with appropriate staff involved in consumer care coordination, case review, and discharge planning at various facilities and programs.
  • Coordinates discharges into residential services across catchment areas, when necessary or requested by a community mental health center, a state hospital, or ADMH. This coordination is intended to complement, not replace, the essential responsibilities of the CMHC.
  • Assists ADMH and community mental health centers in locating options for consumers who have special needs that cannot be met in their home area.
  • Help facilitate movement out of state facilities, CRUs, and/or housing/residential by assisting with difficult placements.
• Supervision and consultation.
  • Seeks supervision and consultation as needed.
  • Adheres to professional code of ethics.
  • Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
• Courteous and respectful attitude
  • Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion.
  • Respects consumers’ privacy and confidentiality.
  • Is pleasant and cooperative with others, including consumers and families.
  • Personal values do not inhibit ability to relate and care for others.
  • Is sensitive to the consumers’ needs, expectations and individual differences.
• Administrative and other related duties as assigned.
  • Attends all meetings of the UR coordinators as called by ADMH.
  • Travels to various state and local hospitals and community programs as needed.
  • Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
  • Ability to apply programmatic knowledge to the operations of programs for the seriously mentally ill (SMI).
  • Ability to effectively communicate in writing and in person so that the UR Coordinator efforts of the entire Service Area are enhanced and maintained.
  • Ability to compile data and write clear and concise reports.
  • Ability to proficiently operate a personal computer to include Microsoft
  • Office Software, such as Word processing, databases, Power Point, and Excel spreadsheets in a productive manner.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumers’ needs.
  • Maintains current license and requirements for renewals and certifications, if applicable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, or related field. A copy of the graduate course work transcript must be on file with the CMHC. Minimum of three years post master’s appropriate clinical experience. Experience providing clinical services in a residential or inpatient clinical setting is preferred.
• Must possess a valid Alabama driver's license and maintain a driving record acceptable to the organization’s automobile insurance provider. Although this position requires frequent travel, employees will not be expected to transport service recipients. A reliable vehicle is required for work-related travel. Proof of current automobile insurance that meets or exceeds Alabama’s minimum coverage requirements must be provided and maintained.
• Proficiency in using a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite—including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and cloud-based tools such as Microsoft Teams and OneDrive—for efficient word processing, data management, presentations, communication, and file sharing.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to support and enhance the Utilization Review (UR) Coordinator’s efforts across the entire Service Area.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and present data in clear, concise, and well-organized reports. Must be proficient in creating charts, graphs, and data tables that effectively communicate Utilization Review (UR) indicators in a way that is easily understood by the public during brief presentations. Additionally, must be capable of presenting UR data in formats that support direct evaluation of program effectiveness.

• Must possess a valid Alabama driver's license and maintain a driving record acceptable to the organization’s automobile insurance provider. Although this position requires frequent travel, employees will not be expected to transport service recipients. A reliable vehicle is required for work-related travel. Proof of current automobile insurance that meets or exceeds Alabama’s minimum coverage requirements must be provided and maintained.
• Maintain a safe driving record and valid driver’s license with personal liability insurance.
• Follow all agency transportation policies, including seatbelt usage, safe cellphone practices, and vehicle documentation.
• Immediately report any vehicle issues, accidents, or violations to appropriate personnel.

• This is an exempt, full-time position.
• Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM CST, hours may vary based on need.
• This position requires in-person work and is not eligible for remote or hybrid work arrangements.
• Must be able to travel within the service area on a regular basis and maintain a consistent in-person presence to meet consumer and program needs.

• Knowledge, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment:
  • Thorough working knowledge of the principles of utilization review and quality improvement as applied in mental health settings