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Utilization Management Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Utilization Management Nurse We are seeking a dedicated Utilization Management Nurse to provide timely and appropriate prior approval services to members and healthcare providers. The role involves ...

Utilization Tech/Nurse M-F 1st shift, 32 biweekly hours 8-4:30 Clinical background preferred About VGH Virginia Gay Hospital, established in Vinton in 1923, is an independent, nonprofit critical ...

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Utilization Management information

See Iowa salary details

$36.6K

$84K

$153.1K

How much do utilization management jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for utilization management in Iowa is $84,048.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,600.00 and $98,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is utilization management?

A Utilization Management (UM) job involves evaluating medical services to ensure they are necessary, cost-effective, and compliant with healthcare guidelines. Professionals in this field review patient care plans, authorize treatments, and collaborate with healthcare providers to optimize resource use. They work for insurance companies, hospitals, or healthcare organizations to balance quality care with cost control. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of medical policies are essential in this role.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a utilization management professional?

As a Utilization Management professional, your day-to-day duties typically include reviewing patient admissions, authorizing ongoing treatment or procedures, assessing medical necessity, and ensuring services comply with insurance policies and industry guidelines. You will frequently collaborate with physicians, nurses, and insurance representatives to facilitate timely and appropriate care decisions while managing cost and quality. Documentation and communication play key roles as you help bridge the gap between clinical teams and payers. This role is often fast-paced, requires decisive action, and provides opportunities to have a direct impact on patient outcomes and organizational efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in utilization management, and why are they important?

To thrive in Utilization Management, you need a strong understanding of healthcare procedures, insurance guidelines, and case review processes, usually backed by a clinical background such as RN, LPN, or allied health certification. Familiarity with medical management software, electronic health records (EHR), and utilization review tools like InterQual or MCG is often required. Excellent analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills greatly enhance performance in this role. These competencies enable accurate assessment of medical necessity, ensure regulatory compliance, and support efficient, collaborative workflows between providers, insurers, and patients.

What degree is needed for utilization management?

Utilization management professionals typically need at least a bachelor's degree in healthcare, nursing, health administration, or a related field. Some roles may require a master's degree or professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or Certified Case Manager (CCM). Experience in healthcare settings and knowledge of medical terminology and insurance processes are also important.

What are the most commonly searched types of Utilization Management jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Utilization Management jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Utilization Management jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Utilization Management job openings:

Infographic showing various Utilization Management job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,048 per year, or $40.4 per hour.

Utilization Management Nurse

Actalent

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$40/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Title: Utilization Management NurseJob Description

We are seeking a dedicated Utilization Management Nurse to provide timely and appropriate prior approval services to members and healthcare providers. The role involves making clinical determinations based on medical policies and criteria, completing post-service reviews, and supporting members throughout their healthcare journey. The position requires collaboration with healthcare staff and other team members to ensure accurate documentation and effective discharge planning.

Responsibilities

  • Provide timely prior approval for services, procedures, and out-of-network referrals by obtaining necessary medical information.

  • Conduct post-service reviews for medical necessity and experimental/investigational services.

  • Offer precertification and continued stay reviews to members in various healthcare settings.

  • Assist in developing and facilitating discharge plans and refer cases to Case Management as needed.

  • Collaborate with healthcare provider staff to gather medical information and facilitate discharge planning.

  • Process utilization management requests by interpreting medical policy, criteria, and benefit information.

  • Engage with Medical Directors and Physician Reviewers for services not meeting medical criteria.

  • Document review processes and decisions accurately and consistently within the review documentation system.

  • Communicate approval and denial decisions to members and providers according to regulatory standards.

  • Meet quality assurance and production metrics established for the utilization management unit.

Essential Skills

  • Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with active and unrestricted license in Iowa or South Dakota.

  • 4+ years of diverse clinical experience, including critical care, acute care, and outpatient settings.

  • Experience in utilization management, utilization review, and case management.

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.

  • Ability to apply analytical and critical thinking skills to make independent decisions.

  • Proficient in diagnosis and procedure coding systems (e.g., ICD-10, HCPCS, CPT).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

  • Completion of an accredited nursing program.

  • Acute Care, Home Health, and Medical Surgery experience preferred.

  • Strong technical acumen and ability to learn new systems quickly, including Microsoft Office and clinical documentation platforms.

  • Demonstrated commitment to service excellence and patient/member advocacy.

Work Environment

This 100% remote role involves working primarily on prior approval reviews. Our team consists of high achievers who are collaborative and self-motivated. The work hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM CST, with a contract length of 6-8 months and a possibility for extension. A compact license is required for individuals residing outside of Iowa or South Dakota. The role includes a 2-3 week training period with a buddy system for support. The team is friendly and team-focused, emphasizing continuous improvement and efficient resource utilization.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of DES MOINES, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.


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About Actalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Actalent connects passion with purpose. Our scalable talent solutions and services capabilities drive value and results and provide the expertise to help our customers achieve more. Every day, our experts around the globe are making an impact. We're supporting critical initiatives in engineering and sciences that advance how companies serve the world. Actalent promotes consultant care and engagement through experiences that enable continuous development. Our people are the difference. Actalent is an operating company of Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions.

Industry

Business management consulting

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hanover, MD, US

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