Behavioral Health Advocate - South Bend, IN

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. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. The goal of the Behavioral Health 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 consumers and their families/caregivers, medical, behavioral health and clinical network teams. Behavioral Health Advocates work with complex and high‑risk members with diagnoses of Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) to engage the consumer in the treatment process, reduce reliance on higher levels of care, facilitate access to appropriate community services, and help improve community tenure. 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. Meet with consumers in‑person at facilities, provider offices, and in homes as appropriate. Partner with designated external providers, programs, and entities to address the needs, gaps in care, and recovery goals of complex and high‑risk consumers. Identify and address the needs of members who are consistently high utilizers of services through case conferences and informal communications. Participate in standing meetings to review performance, identify areas of opportunity, and oversee course for improvements. Establish and foster positive relationships with the medical team, and participate in medical‑behavioral integration activities and discussions. Identify high‑risk, co‑morbid needs of consumers. 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 partners or external entities, when applicable. Partner with internal Optum Behavioral Health Services Teams to coordinate a seamless transition for consumers from an inpatient setting to community‑based services. Meet all contractual requirements; collaborate early and frequently with other teams in the management of cases stratified as having intensive, complex, and high‑risk needs. Assist in the development of a relevant and consumer‑specific aftercare plan. Comply with all policies, procedures and documentation standards in appropriate systems, tracking mechanisms and databases. Collaborate with providers to determine acuity of mental health concerns, barriers and progress; coordinate appropriate services. Up to 25% of the week is spent in the community, meeting with members in hospitals, facilities, or homes. The remainder of the week is spent working remotely at home. Typical hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Licensure and residency in the State of Indiana are required. Required qualifications : Licensed mental health clinician with a master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling or marriage, family & couples counseling, or a related mental health discipline, OR a registered nurse (RN/BSN or MSN) with 4+ years of dedicated behavioral health experience. Active, unrestricted license to practice independently in the State of Indiana. 2+ years of post‑licensure experience in a related mental health setting. Computer and typing proficiency to enter and retrieve data in electronic clinical records. Experience with email, internet research, use of online calendars, and other software applications. Access to install secure, high‑speed internet and a dedicated, distraction‑free workspace at home. Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel as needed within the designated service delivery area (up to 25%). Live in or near South Bend, IN. Preferred qualifications : Experience working in community or county mental health. Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse. BCBA certification. Experience working with individuals with autism. Experience coordinating benefits and utilizing multiple groups and resources for patients. Experience working with low‑income populations. Experience working with Medicaid or Medicare funded programs. Clinical training experience. All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy. Pay is based on several factors including 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 401(k) contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary for this role will range from $60,200 to $107,400 annually based on full‑time employment. We comply with all applicable minimum wage laws. UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. #J-18808-Ljbffr Istss