Behavioral Health Advocate - Field based, Brooklyn

Voices for Voices; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a Behavioral Health Advocate to improve enrollee stability and coordinate care in the Brooklyn under-21 Medicaid program. You will meet 80% of the time at facilities or home visits and 20% remotely, with residency in Brooklyn required. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, no weekends.

Responsibilities include linking to services, aftercare planning, and follow-up with enrollees and providers. Requires NY licensure and 2+ years in mental health.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, MFT, or related field
• Active, unrestricted NY license (LMHC/LMFT/LCSW/LP)
• 2+ years of experience in a mental health setting
• 2+ years of experience with Under 21 population
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams
• Dedicated home office with high-speed internet access
• Reliable transportation for daily travel within assigned territory

Responsibilities

• Identify and provide community service linkage
• Assist enrollees with aftercare appointments
• Provide follow-up as determined by member needs
• Identify gaps in care and problem-solve for connections to services
• Review IP Census to identify re-admits within 12 months
• Attend facility meetings to develop aftercare plans
• Manage aftercare follow-up for high-risk enrollees
• Meet with community providers to foster relationships and identify programs

Skills

Mental health experience

Under 21 experience

MS Office proficiency

Transportation access

New York license

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, MFT, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Job description

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.

Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The overall purpose of the Behavioral Health Advocate (BHA) is to improve the enrollee's ability to remain stable in the community and out of the hospital. BHAs engage people in the treatment process and assist them to access the appropriate community services so they can pursue their treatment goals in the community and avoid institutionalization. This 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.

This is primarily a field-based position providing case management and care coordination for Under-21 Medicaid members in Brooklyn.

You will spend 80% of your time meeting with members at hospitals, clinical facilities, community sites, and/or in their homes. The remaining 20% is spent working remotely at home. Due to business needs, permanent residency in Brooklyn is required. The schedule is Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm -- no weekends, evenings, or holidays.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify and provide community service linkage
• Assist enrollees with aftercare appointments
• Provide subsequent member follow-up as determined by individual member needs
• Work with enrollees to identify gaps in care or obstacles to care and problem solve for successful connection to needed services
• Review IP Census each day to determine which enrollees on the census are re-admits within the last 12 months
• Go to facility meetings with treatment team to develop a successful aftercare plan
• Manage the aftercare follow-up of identified high risk enrollees (manage follow-up calls/outreach and documentation)
• Meet with community providers/facilities as company liaison to foster good rapport and relationships and to identify new programs

Benefits:

• Competitive salaries
• Comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, 401(k) matching, and a wide range of life and wellness resources to support your overall well-being
• Paid time off and paid company holidays
• Continuing education support, including CEU and licensure reimbursement
• Reimbursement for work-related travel
• Opportunities to make a meaningful impact by supporting your local community and partnering with area resources

Required Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related field
• Active, unrestricted, independent license the State of New York as an LMHC, LMFT, LCSW, or LP
• 2+ years of experience in a related mental health environment
• 2+ years of experience working with the Under 21 population
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams
• Dedicated, distraction-free home office / workspace with access to install secure, high-speed internet at home
• Access to reliable transportation that will allow daily travel throughout an assigned territory to meet with enrollees

Preferred Qualifications:

• Medical/Behavioral setting experience (i.e., hospital, managed care organization, or joint medical/behavioral outpatient practice)
• Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse
• Community Mental Health experience
• Case Management experience
• Field based experience
• Experience working with low-income populations
• Experience working with the aged, blind, or disabled
• Working knowledge of city and state agencies and practices to include APS, ACS, AOT, ACT, Health Home, Forensics, etc.

*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). 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 $60,200 - $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. 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.

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. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.