Behavioral Healthcare Advocate

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. 

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. 

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
• Responsible for 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
• 3+ years of experience providing direct clinical care in a behavioral health treatment setting with emphasis on assessment, case management, and crisis intervention
• Community behavioral health experience
• Ability to travel up to 25% and work onsite at Community Transition Centers or Probation Offices within the county
• Driver’s License and access to a reliable transportation

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)

The salary range for this role is $59,500 to $116,600 annually 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.

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.