Remote Health Care 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 inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMF), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Psychologist for position for the County of San Diego's 24/7 Access and Crisis Line (ACL). The ACL provides free, confidential access to behavioral health services and crisis intervention for the 3.3 million San Diegans.

As the clinical work is done strictly by telephone, text, and chat; this position requires an incredibly unique set of clinical skills more astute than those required for face-to- face interactions as there are no visual cues from which to draw upon to help paint a comprehensive clinical picture. Clinicians need to rely on their graduate education in psychology/sociology or related field, formal clinical training, and experience to exercise discretion and clinical judgment when providing access to appropriate behavior health services and crisis work. Clinicians need to quickly triage calls/chats/texts in the queue to ensure safety and meet contractual performance standards. Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with high precision and intensity like that of an emergency department- everyone has a crucial, time sensitive task to complete which is integral to the success of the entire operation. Behavioral Health Access -Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services within San Diego's system of care. The clinician needs to recognize, properly intervene, and follow up on any risk factors. The clinician will also help provide linkage to the most appropriate type and level of care based on the collective screenings and preferences of the caller/chatter/texter.

Child/Elder Abuse; ACL clinician needs to quickly establish a therapeutic alliance, screen for risk factors, seek to help de-escalate the individual using brief solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing skills and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). Clinicians help ensure safety by using the least invasive intervention on a continuum to the most invasive, which may include initializing active rescue services as a last resort. This service meets 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) standards for risk assessment and engagement of individuals at imminent risk of suicide. These reviews are completed via an online review process. The documentation is completed in the County's Electronic Health Record (EHR); A successful clinician must quickly switch between answering access and crisis calls, texts, and chats and process pre-authorizations.

If you are located in CA, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges.

Shift Options

Thursday through Sunday 7:00 PM to 5:30 AM

Adhere to all applicable laws and ethics (HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), Exceptions to confidentiality, Reporting Abuse, Duty to Warn etc.

Answer calls/texts/chats within standard service levels

Triage calls/chats/texts based on presenting mental health and/or substance use disorder symptoms

Document all interaction in a succinct, clinical manner in the designated database; documentation must adhere to Dept of Health Clinical Service (DHCS) requirements

Utilize our Central Contact Tracking Database and place Medi-Cal clients on the wait list per contractual guidelines

Ability to access and enter accurate relevant clinical information into Medi-Cal beneficiary electronic health record (EHR)

Meeting individualized performance goals

Complete mandatory ongoing continuing education and cultural training

Adapt to changes and maintain flexibility as processes and policies are implemented to ensure compliance and quality standards

Gain experience training crisis line staff to support adherence to established protocols, quality benchmarks, and compliance requirements, while strengthening personal competency on the crisis line

Expectation to participate in virtual meetings with the camera on to foster collaboration, accountability, and effective teamwork

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.

Independent behavioral health license with a Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related behavioral health discipline

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Psychologist and/or LPCC licensed professional cannot be on probation and/or no pending corrective actions

2+ years of post graduate degree providing direct clinical services: psychosocial assessments, individual therapy, substance use drug/alcohol treatment, case consultation with multidisciplinary team; developing treatment plans with short/long-term goals; maintain confidential files; in-service trainings and discharge planning

Personal Computer (PC) proficiency and self-reports the ability to type with minimum proficiency of 45 words per minute

Ability to work Thursday through Sunday 7:00 PM to 5:30 AM

All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

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). The salary for this role will range from $60,200 to $107,400 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. 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. 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. J-18808-Ljbffr Optum