Behavioral Health Care Advocate - Remote in Washington

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Behavioral Health Care Advocate, you will focus on care coordination for members in all levels of identified as needing behavioral health supports utilizing an integrated care delivery model of care supporting whole person care and helping the member with referrals and linkage to supports promoting their overall health and wellness. You'll have a direct impact on the lives of our members as you facilitate care coordination services and assist in the team's overall performance driving quality, member centric, supportive care integration and tenure in the community through effective identification of barriers in their care needs, referrals and linkage to ongoing supports, and assisting the team to provide clinical interventions and supports for the members.

***You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely as you take on some tough challenges. Licensure and residency in Washington is required.***

Primary Responsibilities:

• Individual contributor (no direct reports) supporting WA Medicaid and Dual eligible Medicare with behavioral health only services as dictated by member's benefit plan
• Understanding complex comorbid behavioral, substance use, and medical comorbidities with demonstrated experience effectively implementing care plans, development of treatment plans, and linkage with needed supports for optimal community tenure
• Ability to work across teams collaboratively to achieve shared member goals and care needs
• Complete documentation, treatment plan development, and monitoring/auditing/clinical for members in community outpatient as well as inpatient hospital and residential settings to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to contractual obligations
• Serve as a resource for staff, sharing clinical expertise, knowledge, and participating in internal and external stake-holder meetings
• Willingness to support team members, such as providing back-up to staff who are out of office, assisting leadership with ad-hoc activities to enhance program performance, or staffing cases with peers to ensure clinical care, coordination, collaboration, and safety planning
• Participate in scheduled and ad-hoc community partner meetings representing member needs and Health Plan leadership identifying gaps in care and network service needs
• Assist with special projects, committee work, team specific activities and other duties as assigned.
  Assist in resolution of escalated cases that may be referred for services
• Collaborate with team members and leadership to ensure effective coordination of cases and proactively identify and resolve issues
• Recommend areas for process improvement and assist with development and implementation of new processes
• Review patient assessments and determine / recommend appropriate levels of care
• Administer benefits and review treatment plans as needed
• Coordinate benefits and transitions of care for members in various areas of care
• Identify ways to add value to treatment plans, care plans, and organizational initiatives
• Oversee the facility-based and community-based care experience for members assigned

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Counseling; OR Registered Nurse w/ 2+ years of experience in behavioral health
• One of the following active, unrestricted, independent licenses to practice in the State of Washington: LICSW, LMFT, LMHC, PSY; OR RN with 2+ years of behavioral health experience
• 2+ years post licensure behavioral health experience, preferably within a managed care organization
• Case management experience
• Clinical experience providing behavioral health services
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, and internet)
• Residence and clinical licensure in the State of Washington required
• Dedicated workspace and access to high-speed internet via cable/DSL/fiber service in your home

Preferred Qualifications:

• Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse either in an outpatient or inpatient setting
• Experience working in an environment that required coordinating benefits and utilizing multiple groups and resources for patients
• Experience working with the Medicaid patient population
• Inpatient behavioral health experience
• Experience providing training, learning, mentoring, or preceptor desirable
• Experience with program development, monitoring, contracting, and service delivery to meet regulatory guidelines
• Familiarity with the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and best practice standards for treatment
• Proven Subject Matter Expertise (SME) on case management care processes and procedures

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $58,800 to $105,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.