Remote Behavioral Health Care Advocate - Full-Time Position

Position Overview As a Remote Behavioral Health Care Advocate at UnitedHealth Group, you will play a crucial role in the assessment and coordination of care for psychiatric patients. This full-time position, based in San Diego but open for remote work nationwide, emphasizes administrative competency without direct patient contact. Your expertise will help shape the trajectory of patient outcomes through meticulous clinical reviews and collaboration with various healthcare providers. About the Organization UnitedHealth Group is a leader in the global health care industry, dedicated to leveraging technology to enhance the health of millions of individuals worldwide. Optum, a vital segment of UnitedHealth Group, focuses on delivering integrated care and behavioral health solutions. Here, we embrace a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and innovative healthcare practices, providing our team members with rich learning environments and comprehensive career development opportunities.

Work Environment

This position is designed for 100% telecommuting, allowing you to work from anywhere in the United States. The role requires regular work hours from Monday to Friday during standard Pacific Time business hours, promoting a healthy work-life balance while engaging in impactful and challenging tasks. You will utilize modern tools and systems designed to enhance productivity and connectivity with fellow team members.

Key Responsibilities

Your primary responsibilities will encompass:

• Evaluating clinical documentation to determine appropriate levels of patient care based on established criteria.
• Collaborating with healthcare providers to acquire essential information for psychiatric and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment requests.
• Assessing and ensuring that documentation adheres to medical necessity requirements for Medicaid and the County of San Diego.
• Managing the entire treatment plan for inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, and crisis/adult residential mental health cases.
• Conducting data entry of clinical documentation into the County’s Electronic Health Record and other designated databases.
• Administering benefits and thoroughly reviewing treatment documentation submitted by facilities.
• Facilitating seamless transitions of care between different levels of mental health and SUD services.
• Identifying opportunities to enhance treatment plans and providing consultative support to facility staff and outpatient care providers.
• Assisting within the Utilization Management team with authorizations for residential substance use and long-term care programs as necessary.
• Supporting the San Diego Access and Crisis Line as required.

Patient Population / Client Focus This role revolves around supporting a diverse client population facing behavioral health challenges, including those diagnosed with mental health and substance use disorders. You will be instrumental in ensuring they receive adequate care through coordinated management of services, thus fostering positive health outcomes within the community.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• A valid and unrestricted California license as a independent clinician (such as a Licensed Practitioner in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage/Family Counseling), a Licensed Ph.D., or an RN with relevant experience in behavioral health.
• A minimum of two years of experience working in a mental health or behavioral health environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams) alongside the ability to navigate electronic health records, particularly SmartCare and Cerner Community Behavioral Health.
• The capacity to obtain and maintain access to the County of San Diego’s electronic health records systems.

Preferred Experience Candidates with the following experiences will be given preference:

• Solid background in a managed care setting.
• Experience with coordinating benefits across various mental health resources.
• History of working in telephonic roles.
• Familiarity with dual diagnosis treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of the Medi-Cal system.
• Demonstrated experience in data entry.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position ranges from USD 58,800 to USD 105,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, you will have access to a robust suite of benefits, including comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans with 401(k) contributions, incentive programs, and equity stock purchase options. These benefits reflect our commitment to the well-being and professional growth of our employees.

Career Growth Opportunities

UnitedHealth Group is committed to the growth and development of its employees. In this role, you will receive ongoing training and performance feedback to help you reach your professional goals. Opportunities for advancement within the organization are plentiful, facilitating career trajectories tailored to your interests and skills. Why Join Our Team Joining UnitedHealth Group means becoming part of a forward-thinking organization dedicated to improving health outcomes on a global scale. You will collaborate with passionate peers who are equally committed to excellence in patient care within a supportive and inclusive environment. Every day presents an opportunity to make a lasting impact in the communities we serve while advancing your own career in the rapidly evolving field of healthcare. Application Information We are excited to invite passionate candidates to apply for this position, which will remain open for a minimum of two business days or until a sufficient pool of candidates has been gathered. The job postings may close earlier depending on application volume. We encourage you to submit your application promptly to secure your opportunity to contribute to our mission.