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 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.

The Behavioral Health Advocate will provide care coordination for adults and children in the SMI/SUD population. The BHA will also have experience working within the foster care system and knowledge of services utilized by foster care youth, especially behavioral health services.

This role is based out of the employee's home and includes approximately 35% field work visiting members in their homes, community centers, hospitals, or providers’ offices.

The schedule is Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm and includes a weekend and holiday rotation.

Due to business needs, residency in the Richmond, VA area or Tidewater Virginia is required.

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

• Provide care coordination and serve as single point of contact for children, family, state foster care contractor, and/or the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)

• Work with network providers to ensure timely access to services and coordinate service needs

• Seek consultation and support from other members of core and extended care team as needed such as RN, Medical Director, Provider and Community Liaisons

• Perform care planning and care management

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.)

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:

• 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 in behavioral health

• Proficient computer skills including good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook

• Reside in the Richmond, VA area or Tidewater Virginia

• Access to reliable transportation that will allow you to travel within an assigned territory

• 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

• Experience working with children, youth, and young adults in foster care or the juvenile justice system

• Medical / Behavioral setting experience (i.e., hospital, managed care organization, or joint medical / behavioral outpatient practice)

• Experience working with youth and adults who have serious behavioral health needs

• Experience working with local and state community resources in Virginia

• 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

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.