Behavioral Health Clinician at Optum

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus for External Candidates

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here‘s your opportunity. We‘re going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

You have high standards. So do we. Here at UnitedHealth Group, this includes offering an innovative new standard for care management. It goes beyond counseling services and verified referrals to programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. That means you‘ll have an opportunity to make an impact on a huge scale - as part of an incredible team culture that‘s defining the future of behavioral health care.

Positions in this function is responsible for facilitating and providing linkage to behavioral health services in system of care to justice involved population. Provides clinical services in the manner of behavioral health screenings, short term case management, coordination, and consultation with behavioral health treatment providers, San Diego Probation and ancillary services. 

***This position will be based primarily on-site from a Community Transition Center in San Diego with minimal travel (no more than 25%) to various probation offices/jails locally within the SD area.  Required schedule is Tuesday - Saturday 9:30am - 6pm or Friday - Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm***

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Conducts comprehensive behavioral health screenings in a dynamic environment to include jail and other settings


• Review available behavioral health history to coordinate services and assure appropriate level of care for clients


• Identification, awareness and establishing contacts of specific community resources for justice involved population and the enrollment process


• Leads coordination of appropriate level of care linkage for Post Release Offenders to community behavioral health and ancillary services


• Guides the provision of short term clinical case management to ensure continuity of behavioral health and medical services


• Available to assist BHST Care Advocates in daily operations and duties


• Navigates and advocates within behavioral health system of care on behalf of clients as needed


• Models and engages clients to participate in screening process and work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to develop case plans, provide linkage to care based on their individual needs, preference and objectives


• Exemplifies the use of motivational interviewing techniques to help clients identify and understand intrinsic goals and engage in behavior change


• Participates in ongoing multi-disciplinary team meetings providing education and consultation with regards to linkage to behavioral health and ancillary services within system of care


• Guides clinical care consultations with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation personnel, San Diego Sheriff’s department, probation officers, and community treatment providers


• Advances the troubleshooting of internal and external problems


• Assess for safety risks/provides crisis intervention and behavioral health screenings for population


• Receives and reviews clinical screenings, linkage and levels of care requests


• Assist in orientation of Behavioral Health System of care to Probation partners


• Provides ongoing education of behavioral health system of care to providers, consumers and other stakeholders


• Makes suggestions for change and improvements in the functioning of the department and coordination of care within the system of care with Probation partners, Behavioral Health Services and Treatment providers


• Maintain timely and appropriate clinical documentation records in San Diego County Probation and Behavioral Health Electronic Health records


• Use of technological systems to support clinical delivery of services


• Requires access to Cerner Electronic Health Record which includes Protected Health Information and Probation Case Management System


• Adheres to pertinent HIPAA rules and regulations


• Other duties and responsibilities as required

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: 

• Independently licensed, Master’s level mental health professional such as LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, etc. and / or Psy.D in the state of California, or an RN with psychiatric nursing experience


• 2+ years of experience providing direct clinical care in a behavioral health treatment setting with emphasis on assessment, case management, and crisis intervention


• Behavioral health experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Inpatient experience


• Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse


• Experience working in an environment that required coordination of benefits and utilization of multiple groups and resources for patients


• Experience with individuals involved in the justice system


• Knowledge of the system of care in San Diego


• Bilingual Skills (fluency in Spanish/English)

California Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $58,300 to $114,300 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.    

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.   

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