Job Description

You're looking for something bigger for your career. How about inventing the future of health care? Optum is offering an innovative new standard for care management. We're going beyond counseling services and verified referrals to behavioral health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Our growth is fueling the need for highly qualified professionals to join our elite team. Bring your skills and talents to a role where you'll have the opportunity to make an impact on a huge scale. Join us. Take this opportunity to start doing your life's best work.(sm)

This position is primarily field - based: 80% of the time will be in the field and 20% working from home. Schedule is Monday - Friday during normal business hours. Must be able to go into the field in Nassau County on a daily basis.

*** Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this Field Based Care Advocate role will initially function in a telecommute/work from home fashion. Once conditions are safe and the state restrictions have lifted, the expectation is that duties will be conducted in the field as noted above. At that time all work will be done within the territory listed. ***

The overall purpose of the Field Based Care Advocate is to improve the enrollee's ability to remain stable in the community and out of the hospital. The role is to engage the person in the treatment process and then assist him/her to access the appropriate community services so they can pursue their treatment goals in the community and avoid institutionalization. This position requires field visits at hospitals and clinical facilities, and in the community. You will be in the field most of the time.

The Field Based Care Advocate position is also designed to be a direct clinical liaison between health plan staff and the clinical network. The program fosters a collegial and mutually beneficial relationship between the providers and payers of medical and behavioral health services.

Primary Responsibilities:

* Identifies and provides community service linkage
* Assists enrollees with aftercare appointments
* Provides subsequent member follow-up as determined by individual member needs
* Works with enrollees to identify gaps in care or obstacles to care and problem solves for successful connection to needed services
* Reviews IP Census each day to determine which enrollees on the census are re-admits within the last 12 months
* Goes to facility meetings with treatment team to develop a successful aftercare plan
* Manages the aftercare follow-up of identified high risk enrollees (manages follow-up calls/outreach and documentation)
* Meets with community providers/facilities as company liaison to foster good rapport and relationships and to identify new programs

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:

* Must have one of the following: Master's degree in Behavioral Health related field, Associate's degree or greater in Nursing with ten years of Behavioral Health experience, or a Doctorate-degreed Psychologist
* Must have an independent license that is active and unrestricted in the State of New York:
* Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
* Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
* Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
* Licensed Psychologist (LP)
* Registered Nurse with 10+ years of Behavioral Health experience
* 2+ years' experience in a related mental health environment
* Proficient computer skills and good working knowledge of Excel spreadsheets
* Access to high speed internet (Broadband cable or DSL) and a dedicated workspace at home
* Ability to be in the field daily in Nassau County after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted
* If you need to enter a work site for any reason, you will be required to screen for symptoms using the ProtectWell mobile app, Interactive Voice Response (i.e., entering your symptoms via phone system) or similar UnitedHealth Group-approved symptom screener. When in a UnitedHealth Group building, employees are required to wear a mask in common areas. In addition, employees must comply with any state and local masking orders.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Medical/Behavioral setting experience (i.e. hospital, managed care organization, or joint medical/behavioral outpatient practice)
* Working knowledge of city and state agencies and practices including APS, ACS, AOT, ACT, Health Home, Forensic, and others
* Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse
* Experience working with low-income populations
* Experience working with the aged, blind, or disabled
* Experience working in a community health capacity with adults
* Case Management experience
* Field based experience

Discover a diversified health services and innovation company where data, technology, people and action combine to make great things happen every day ? and where every day is another opportunity to do your life's best work.(sm)

UnitedHealth Group is working to create the health care system of tomorrow.

Already Fortune 6, we are totally focused on innovation and change. We work a little harder. We aim a little higher. We expect more from ourselves and each other. And at the end of the day, we're doing a lot of good.

Through our family of businesses and a lot of inspired individuals, we're building a high-performance health care system that works better for more people in more ways than ever. Now we're looking to reinforce our team with people who are decisive, brilliant - and built for speed.

Come to UnitedHealth Group, and share your ideas and your passion for doing more. We have roles that will fit your skills and knowledge. We have diverse opportunities that will fit your dreams.

*All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

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.

Job Keywords: Case Manager, Care Advocate, Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Social Worker, Therapist, Counselor, Community Health, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, RN, Psychologist, Nassau County, New York, NY