Behavioral Health Care Advocate - UM

Company: Optum
Location: Honolulu
Posted on: July 2, 2025

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. You have high standards. So do we. Here at UnitedHealth Group, this includes offering an innovative new standard for care management. It goes beyond counseling services and verified referrals to programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. That means you’ll have an opportunity to make an impact on a huge scale - as part of an incredible team culture that’s defining the future of behavioral health care. Schedule: 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday Hawaii Standard Time (HST). Licensure: Must already be licensed in the state of Hawaii You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from Hawaii as you take on some tough challenges. Primary Responsibilities: - Manage all facility-based admissions for mental health and substance abuse through the continuum of care - Effectively collaborate with treating providers and facilities to ensure consumers are receiving treatment in line with best practice and level of care guidelines - Effectively communicate with consumers about their benefit coverage and provide appropriate resources and referrals - Make decision about appropriate levels of care based on medical necessity guidelines You’ll find the pace fast and the challenges ongoing. We’ll expect you to achieve and document measurable results. You’ll also need to think and act quickly while working with a diverse member population. 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: - Independently Licensed Clinician, with a Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or Marriage or Family Counseling, or Licensed Ph.D or a Registered Nurse with 2 years of experience in behavioral / mental health. License must be current and unrestricted in the state of Hawaii - 2 years of behavioral health experience - Facility based mental health / substance abuse experience - Experience with Outlook/One Note email, use of online calendars and other proprietary software applications - Proficient Microsoft skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Windows 10) - Proven computer/typing proficiency to enter/retrieve data in electronic clinical records and provide customer service on the phone concurrently - Private work space - Must reside in the state of Hawaii Preferred Qualifications: - Inpatient experience - Case Management and Utilization management within a hospital or managed care organization - Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse and or physical health conditions - Experience working in an environment that required coordinating benefits, managing care across all levels of care to include inpatient and outpatient settings as well as attending care planning meetings with both internal and external stake-holders supporting member care needs - Experience working with the Medicaid and Medicare/DSNP patient population - Solid understanding of Continuum of care with clinical discernment of services provided in various care settings, such as inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, etc. for both behavioral health and substance abuse levels of care - Member centered care management orientation with ability to coordinate care services for behavioral health and physical health needs either through direct service or referral/consultation for care management needs working with both internal and external care team members *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 $58,800 to $105,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants. 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.

Keywords: Optum, Honolulu , Behavioral Health Care Advocate - UM, Healthcare , Honolulu, Hawaii