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The Behavioral Health Advocate (BHA) is responsible for coordinating and managing medical and behavioral health services delivered to youth who are in foster care. The BHA has experience working within the foster care system and knowledge of services utilized by foster care youth, especially behavioral health services. They serve as the primary point of contact for youth; families, caregivers, foster parents, or group home placements; CPS and related agencies which coordinate children or youth in our Virginia program; and network providers. The BHA will meet with CPS, complete assessments, attend internal clinical rounds, make recommendations to the child and family team, and ensure essential medical and behavioral health services are provided to children and youth. The BHA may also provide behavioral health care coordination for Virginia Medicaid members with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD).
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This is a Monday - Friday position with an 8am - 5pm schedule and includes a weekend and holiday rotation.
This role is based out of the employee's home and includes approximately 35% field work visiting members in their homes, community centers, hospitals, or providers' offices.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Providing care coordination and serving as single point of contact for children, family, state foster care contractor, and/or the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
- Conducting assessments of child's needs in collaboration with identified supports
- Developing a plan of care in collaboration with the youth, family, state foster care contractor and foster care placement to address member needs
- Reviewing and revising plan of care as needed based upon the needs of the member
- Providing outreach to network providers to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to meet member needs and the coordination of services among providers
- Working collaboratively with service providers, families, state child welfare contractor and child placing agencies to identify and access resources to meet the needs of members and support foster care placements
- Working with network providers to ensure timely access to services and coordinate service needs
- Providing outreach and coaching to members, families and foster care placement to encourage and promote treatment and service adherence
- Working with the member, family, state foster care contractor and foster care placement to identify and address gaps in services
- Responding promptly to emerging issues that impact services to the youth
- Provide education to members, families and foster care placements regarding relevant medical and behavioral topics
- Seeking consultation and support from other members of core and extended care team as needed such as RN, Medical Director, Provider and Community Liaisons
- Care planning and care management experience
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.
Why consider working for UnitedHealth Group? For starters, competitive base pay, a comprehensive benefit program, performance rewards, and a management team who demonstrates their commitment to your success. Some of our offerings include:
- Paid Time Off which starts to accrue with your first pay period plus 8 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
- Medical Plan options along with participation in a Health Spending Account or Health Saving Account
- Dental, Vision, Life, and AD&D Insurance along with Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability coverage
- 401K Retirement Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Education Reimbursement
- Continuing Education and License Renewal Fee Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Employee Discounts
- Voluntary Benefits (e.g., pet insurance, legal insurance, LTC insurance, etc.)
- More information can be found at What We Offer (unitedhealthgroup.com) and United Well-being (uhg.com)
Required Qualifications:
- Licensed Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Counseling; or Licensed Ph.D.
- Active, unrestricted, independent license in Virginia: LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or LP
- 1+ years of experience in behavioral health
- Experience working with children, youth, and young adults in foster care or the juvenile justice system
- Demonstrated understanding and experience in trauma informed care and working with a system of care
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn in a virtual, web-based environment
- Access to reliable transportation that will allow you to travel within an assigned territory in Northern Virginia
- Access to secure, high-speed internet (Broadband Cable, DSL, or Fiber) and a dedicated, distraction-free workspace at home
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with Medicaid funded programs
- Experience working with youth who have serious behavioral health needs
- Community Mental Health experience
- Experience working with local and state community resources in Virginia
- Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse
- Experience working in a wraparound program
- Medical / Behavioral experience (i.e., hospital, managed care organization, or joint medical / behavioral outpatient practice)
- Experience working in an environment that required coordination of benefits and utilization of multiple groups and resources
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.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.