Behavioral Health Care Advocate, Field-Based - Southwest VA at UnitedHealth Group

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Behavioral Health Care Advocate will wear many hats and work in a variety of environments. Sometimes, you’ll interact with members leaving the hospital, possibly with new medications or diagnoses. Or perhaps you’ll perform home visits, assisting members with safe, effective transitions from care environments to where they live. You may also act as an intermediary between providers and members, serving in numerous roles, such as educator, evaluator, service coordinator, community resource researcher and more. The result? Fewer hospitalizations, ER visits and costly service gaps, and a less stressed, more effective health care system for us all.

This is a field-based position in Southwest Virginia. The Care Advocate will be based out of a home office and spend approximately 25% of the week in the community meeting with members in their homes, community centers, hospitals, or providers’ offices. Based on business needs, preferred locations include Bristol, Wise, Marion, Abingdon, Wytheville, and surrounding areas. Candidates residing in areas near Roanoke, Salem, and Bedford may be considered if business needs allow.

The schedule is Monday - Friday during standard business hours. This position may include some weekend hours with the ability to flex hours during the work week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Visit Medicaid members in their homes and/or other settings, including community centers, hospitals, or providers’ offices
• Provide a complete continuum of quality care through close communication with members via in-person or on-phone interaction
• Support members with condition education, medication reviews, and connections to resources such as Home Health Aides or Meals on Wheels
• Assist members with the transition from a care facility back to their home

Why consider working for UnitedHealth Group? For starters, competitive base pay, a comprehensive benefit program, performance rewards, and a management team who demonstrates their commitment to your success. Some of our offerings include:

• Paid Time Off which you start to accrue with your first pay period plus 8 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical Plan options along with participation in a Health Spending Account or a Health Saving account
• Dental, Vision, Life & AD&D Insurance along with Short-term Disability and Long-Term Disability coverage
• 401(k) Savings Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Education Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Voluntary Benefits (pet insurance, legal insurance, LTC Insurance, etc.)
• More information can be found at: What We Offer What We Offer (unitedhealthgroup.com) and United Well-being (uhg.com)

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:

• Licensed Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Counseling; or Licensed Ph.D.
• Active, unrestricted, independent license in Virginia: LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or LP
• 1+ years of experience working in behavioral health
• Proficient computer skills and good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Access to reliable transportation that will allow you to travel within an assigned territory in Southwest Virginia
• Access to secure, high-speed internet (Broadband Cable, DSL, or Fiber) and a dedicated, distraction-free workspace at home

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years of experience working with Medicaid population
• 1+ years of Community Mental Health experience
• 1+ years of experience working with local and state community resources in Virginia
• Medical / Behavioral setting experience (i.e., hospital, managed care organization, or joint medical / behavioral outpatient practice)
• 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 working with Medicaid funded programs
• Experience working with youth and adults who have serious behavioral health needs

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: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer 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.

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