Behavioral Health Care Advocate (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) - Hybrid/WFH

The Optum family of businesses is seeking a Behavioral Health Care Advocate to join our team in Houston, TX. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care team, you'll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

The goal of the Behavioral Health Care Advocate is to help individuals live their lives to the fullest by promoting recovery and resiliency via coordination and collaboration with multiple internal and external partners including members and their families/caregivers, medical, behavioral health, and clinical network teams. Behavioral Health Advocates work with complex and high-risk needs with a goal of engaging the consumer in the treatment process, decreasing their reliance on higher levels of care, helping them to access appropriate community services, and assisting them in improving community tenure.

This position follows a hybrid schedule with three in-office days per week working primarily in Houston, TX and surrounding areas. Residency and licensure in Texas are required.

Approximately half of the workweek involves in-person meetings with members. The remainder of the week is spent doing telephonic work at home. Mileage reimbursement is included. The schedule is Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm CT, no evenings, weekends or holidays.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Utilize advanced clinical skills to engage and motivate Consumers via a recovery, health and wellness-oriented approach
• Assist consumers and their families/caregivers with connections to appropriate psychiatric, medical, and psychosocial referrals and services
• Identify and remove barriers to procurement, delivery, participation in and success of services
• Provide supportive follow-up, monitoring and education as indicated, in-person and telephonically
• Accept referrals via designated processes, collaborate in evaluating available services, and coordinate necessary psychiatric and community referrals, as needed
• Contribute to treatment plan discussions; routinely attend clinical rounds and other meetings with medical partner or external entities, when applicable
• Assist in the development of a relevant and consumer-specific aftercare plan
• Establish a cooperative relationship with Optum Behavioral Network Services and the Provider community to improve access to services and ensure that consumers are served within proper standards of care
• Collaborate with providers to determine acuity of mental health concerns, barriers and progress; coordinate appropriate services

We are committed to your well-being and growth, offering a comprehensive package of perks and benefits with varying eligibility based on role, including:

• Competitive salary & eligibility for quarterly incentive bonuses
• Flexible work models & paid time off when you need it
• Health and well-being benefits like health insurance, 401k matching, and other family support and wellness resources
• Professional development with tuition reimbursement and dedicated learning time to advance your career

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; Licensed Ph.D
• Active, unrestricted, mental health license to practice in the State of Texas (LPC, LCSW or LMFT)
• 2+ years of experience in behavioral health
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, and internet)
• Dedicated home office space and access to install secure high-speed internet in home (Cable Broadband, DSL, or Fiber)
• Current driver's license and access to reliable transportation that will enable you to travel within a designated area

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an inpatient setting
• Case Management experience
• Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse
• Experience in a community mental health setting
• Experience working in an environment that required coordination of benefits and utilization of multiple groups and resources for patients
• Experience in a managed care environment

Explore opportunities at Optum Behavioral Care. We're revolutionizing behavioral health care delivery for individuals, clinicians and the entire health care system. Together, we are bringing high-end medical service, compassionate care and industry leading solutions to our most vulnerable patient populations. Our holistic approach addresses the physical, mental and social needs of our patients wherever they may be - helping patients access and navigate care anytime and anywhere. We're connecting care to create a seamless health journey for patients across care settings. Join our team, it's your chance to improve the lives of millions while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer 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 us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $58,800 to $105,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.

OptumCare 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.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.