Optum California MHA Residency Program

Internships at Optum. If you want an intern experience that will dramatically shape your career, consider a company that’s dramatically shaping our entire health care system. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of companies, is a leading health services and innovation company dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. With more than 94,000 people collaborating worldwide, Optum combines people, technology, data and action to improve the delivery, quality and efficiency of health care. Our internship opportunities provide a view of a rapidly evolving, incredibly challenging marketplace of ideas, products and services. Here, you’ll work with some of the smartest people in the business on assignments that matter. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

Optum California MHA Residency Program
Business Geographies: Optum California care delivery organizations (CDOs) located in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange County.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Project examples:
  • Leading functional support work in areas such as Business Development, Network Strategy, Patient Experience, our People Team, etc.
  • Developing analytical tools and dashboards for ambulatory, specialty, inpatient, and financial operations
  • Opportunities to partner in developing innovative solutions to complex healthcare issues, starting from ideation, and following through execution of the program
• During your MHA internship experience, you will:
  • Complete 1000 hours of impactful project management, performance improvement, and/or analytical work
  • Lead high-priority work that supports your respective program track
  • Gain exposure to and knowledge of the healthcare industry (including care delivery), Optum businesses, functions, strategies, and senior leaders
  • Develop relationships and networks
  • Receive hands-on training and support
  • Leverage business acumen and work experience to drive transformation
  • Learn from and present to executive-level leaders
  • Contribute to fun and engaging cohorts
  • Lay the groundwork for a meaningful and impactful career at Optum

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:

• Undergraduate degree
• Currently pursuing an MHA with a target graduation year of 2026
• Eligible to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship, now or in the future, for employment-based work authorization (F-1 students with practical training and candidates requiring H-1Bs, TNs, etc. will not be considered)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding academic achievement
• 1+ years of professional work experience
• Consulting and/or healthcare experience and/or involvement with consulting/healthcare clubs
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and solve complex problems through strategic and analytical creative thinking
• Proven excellent interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills at all levels
• Proven project management strengths and ability to navigate competing priorities
• Proven to be adaptable and comfortable in ambiguity and high-impact situations
• Proven high emotional intelligence and capacity to navigate barriers to execution
• Proven champion of change and customer orientated approach
• Proven learning/growth oriented 
• Proven alignment to UHG’s values of Integrity, Compassion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance

The hourly range for this role is $30.00 to $60.00 per hour based on full-time employment. 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: 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.