Career Opportunities

Independent Contractor Job Description: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — ECM Case Plan Reviewer & Clinical Supervisor

Position Overview

Job Title: LCSW Clinical Supervisor – Enhanced Care Management (Independent Contractor)

Classification: Independent Contractor (1099) – non-employee, pending legal review; alternate classification as part-time/PRN W-2 employee if required

Program: Cal-AIM Enhanced Care Management (ECM)

Reports To / Primary Contact: Cal-AIM Program Manager, United Way of Central Eastern California

Location: 4101 Easton Drive, Bakersfield, CA (Kern County); hybrid on-site/remote consistent with member and staff meeting needs

Engagement Type: Part-time, ongoing services agreement; scope and hours vary with active member caseload

Position Summary

United Way of Central Eastern California is seeking a California-licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide independent clinical review, approval, and oversight of individualized care plans developed by ECM Lead Care Managers for enrolled Medi-Cal members in Kern County. The LCSW ensures that each care plan reflects sound clinical judgment, addresses the member’s medical, behavioral health, and social needs, and meets Cal-AIM ECM program and managed care plan (MCP) requirements. This is a clinical oversight and consultation role; it does not involve direct, ongoing case management of members or day-to-day supervision of care manager staffing, schedules, or personnel matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and provide clinical approval or requested revisions for individualized care plans (ICPs) developed by Lead Care Managers for each assigned ECM member, within program-required turnaround timeframes.
• Apply independent clinical judgment to confirm that care plans are person-centered, trauma-informed, medically and behaviorally appropriate, and consistent with the member’s assessed needs and goals.
• Provide clinical consultation to Lead Care Managers on complex cases, including members with co-occurring behavioral health, substance use, or high-acuity medical needs.
• Confirm that care plans and clinical documentation meet DHCS Cal-AIM ECM requirements and applicable MCP contract standards prior to sign-off.
• Identify and escalate quality, safety, or compliance concerns (including suspected abuse, neglect, or imminent risk of harm) to the ECM Program Director in accordance with United Way policy and California mandated-reporting law.
• Participate in scheduled case conferences and clinical case reviews to support quality improvement, using independent professional judgment as to method and approach.
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical review documentation in United Way’s designated care management system in accordance with HIPAA and Medi-Cal recordkeeping requirements.
• Maintain professional licensure, liability insurance, and continuing education required to perform the scope of services under this agreement.

Required Qualifications

• Current, active, and unrestricted license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, in good standing, with no disciplinary actions OR a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
• Minimum three (3) years of post-licensure clinical experience, including experience with care coordination, case management oversight, or utilization/clinical review.
• Working knowledge of Medi-Cal managed care, Cal-AIM, and Enhanced Care Management program requirements (or ability to complete required onboarding training).
• Familiarity with the population(s) of focus served (e.g., individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, or justice system involvement).
• Current, active professional liability (malpractice) insurance covering the scope of services, with United Way named as an additional insured if requested.
• Ability to pass a background check (including Livescan/fingerprinting) and health screening (e.g., TB clearance) as required for Medi-Cal provider participation.
• Reliable technology access sufficient to securely review electronic health records/care plans and attend virtual case conferences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual English/Spanish or proficiency in another language commonly spoken by Kern County ECM members.
• Prior experience specifically with Cal-AIM ECM, Health Homes Program, Whole Person Care, or similar Medi-Cal care coordination initiatives.
• Prior formal clinical supervision experience (e.g., supervising associate clinical social workers or master’s-level interns).
• Established independent practice or professional corporation (supports a compliant independent contractor structure).

Independent Contractor Terms

To support a lawful independent contractor relationship, the following terms are intended to apply (subject to legal review):

• The LCSW determines the clinical method, approach, and order of review used to evaluate and approve care plans; United Way does not direct or control the specific clinical techniques used.
• The LCSW sets their own working hours and location for completing reviews, subject only to reasonable turnaround-time requirements tied to member safety and program deadlines.
• The LCSW is free to provide similar clinical review or supervision services to other organizations concurrently and is not required to work exclusively for United Way.
• The LCSW supplies their own licensure, professional liability insurance, computer/technology, and home office or practice location.
• United Way will not withhold payroll taxes, provide employee benefits, or provide workers’ compensation coverage for this role; the contractor is responsible for their own taxes and insurance.
• Services will be documented under a signed written independent contractor agreement specifying scope of work, deliverables, and payment terms, ideally with the LCSW’s own practice/business entity.
• Either party may terminate the agreement with written notice as specified in the services agreement; this is a contractual relationship, not at-will employment.

Compensation

Based on current California market data for comparable licensed clinical review/supervision work, recommended compensation is a per-case flat fee combined with an hourly consultation rate, rather than a salary:

• Per-case review and approval fee: $65-$85 per completed initial care plan review/approval, and $35-$50 per subsequent re-authorization or revision review, reflecting the complexity and liability of a clinical sign-off.
• Hourly consultation rate: $60-$75 per hour for case conferences, ad hoc clinical consultation, and complex-case discussion time that falls outside standard per-case review (billed in 15-minute increments).

Legal & HR Compliance Requirements

• Equal opportunity: United Way of Central Eastern California does not discriminate in the selection or treatment of contractors on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, California, and local law.
• ADA/accessibility: Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable performance of essential contracted functions, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
• Confidentiality/HIPAA: The contractor must comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 (where applicable), and all Medi-Cal confidentiality requirements; a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) will be executed prior to the start of services.
• Mandated reporting: The LCSW is a mandated reporter under California law (e.g., Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act) and must report suspected abuse or neglect as required regardless of contractor status.
• Licensure compliance: The contractor must maintain licensure in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and immediately notify United Way of any change in license status, complaint, or disciplinary action.
• Insurance and indemnification: The contractor must maintain professional liability insurance at levels specified in the services agreement and agrees to indemnification terms set forth in that agreement.
• Background screening: The contractor must pass required background checks (Livescan/fingerprinting), health screenings, and any exclusion list checks (e.g., OIG/Medi-Cal Suspended and Ineligible Provider List) prior to and periodically during the engagement.
• Recordkeeping: All clinical documentation must be maintained consistent with Medi-Cal, DHCS, and California Board of Behavioral Sciences recordkeeping and retention requirements.
• Worker classification: This description and any resulting agreement will be reviewed periodically to confirm continued compliance with California Labor Code section 2775 (the ABC test) and related wage-and-hour law.