Behavioral Health Advocate - Remote in Indiana

About the position The Behavioral Health Advocate role at Optum focuses on promoting recovery and resiliency for individuals with complex and high-risk needs. This position involves coordinating and collaborating with various internal and external partners, including consumers, families, and medical teams, to enhance treatment engagement, reduce reliance on higher levels of care, and improve access to community services. The role aims to stabilize consumers and enhance their life satisfaction through effective advocacy and support. Responsibilities • Utilize advanced clinical skills to engage and motivate consumers via a recovery-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. , • Serve as Optum Behavioral Health liaison and subject matter expert for applicable UnitedHealth Care Medical Partners. , • Establish and foster positive relationships with the medical team and participate in medical-behavioral integration activities. , • Identify high-risk, co-morbid needs of consumers and accept referrals via designated processes. , • Collaborate in evaluating available services and coordinate necessary psychiatric and community referrals. , • Contribute to treatment plan discussions and attend clinical rounds and other meetings with medical partners. , • Partner with internal Optum Behavioral Health Services Teams to coordinate transitions from inpatient to community-based services. , • Coalesce Care Advocate role within established Care Advocacy Operating Model and collaborate with other teams. , • Participate in rounds, discussions, supervision, and staffing. , • Assist in the development of consumer-specific aftercare plans. , • Comply with all policies, procedures, and documentation standards. , • Conduct focused facility-based or outpatient clinical utilization review activities for specific markets. , • Establish a cooperative relationship with Optum Behavioral Network Services to improve access to services. , • Identify new programs, services, and gaps in the market and share information with network teams. , • Maintain knowledge of provider availability and barriers to access and collaborate with providers to determine acuity of mental health concerns. , • Conduct provider networking visits or attend consumer care conferences as needed. , • Participate in committees, educational opportunities, and trainings. Requirements • Independently licensed with a Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work (LCSW), Counseling (LPC), Marriage or Family Counseling (LMFT), or Licensed Ph.D., or an RN with 2+ years of experience in behavioral health. , • Licenses must be active and unrestricted in the state of Indiana. , • 2+ years of experience in a related mental health environment. , • Permanent residence in the state of Indiana. , • A designated space for home office, with access to high-speed internet. Nice-to-haves • 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. , • Experience working in an environment that required coordination of benefits and utilization of multiple groups and resources for patients. , • Experience working with low-income populations. , • Managed care and case management experience. , • Demonstrate initiative in achieving individual, team, and organizational goals and objectives. , • Proven excellent customer service, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. , • Proven solid team player and team building skills. , • Proven solid oral and written communication skills - specifically telephone skills. , • Proven ability to function independently and responsibly with minimal supervision. , • Proven ability to maintain direct and open communication with all levels of the organization. , • Proven ability to handle sensitive issues with peers, members, and providers in a confidential manner. , • Proven ability and flexibility to assume responsibilities and tasks in a constantly changing work environment. Benefits • Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance. , • Career development opportunities and support for professional growth. , • Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options for Indiana residents. Apply Job!