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  3. Behavioral Health Care Advocate - CA - Remote
UG

Behavioral Health Care Advocate - CA - Remote

UnitedHealth Group·San Diego, California

$60,200 - $107,400/yr·Full Time·Remote Ok·2-5 yrs·Posted 12 days ago
Practice for this role

About the role

Oversee initial inpatient admissions for psychiatric and chemical dependency patients and determine appropriate levels of care. Coordinate transitions between care areas and manage outpatient treatment requests.

  • 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. 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. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely
  • from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. “This position is part of a bargaining unit.” Primary Responsibilities: Oversee initial inpatient admission for psychiatric and chemical dependency patients Make patient assessments and determine appropriate levels of care Administer benefits, review treatment plans, and coordinate transitions between various areas of care Obtain information from providers on outpatient requests for treatment 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

Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or Marriage or Family Counseling; OR Licensed Ph.D.; Current, unrestricted license to practice in the state of California 2+ years of experience in behavioral health

Preferred Qualifications

Inpatient experience Dual diagnosis experience with mental health and substance abuse Experience working in an environment that required coordinating benefits and utilizing multiple groups and resources for patients Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Outlook, Internet) *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. 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.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree or PhD in Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling with a current unrestricted license to practice in California. At least 2 years of experience in behavioral health is required.

  • postgraduate degree
  • Case Management
  • Patient Assessment
  • Treatment Planning
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Care Coordination
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Clinical Documentation
  • Benefits Administration
  • Psychiatric Care
  • Behavioral Health Care

Benefits

  • Recognition Programs
  • Comprehensive Benefits Package
  • Equity Stock Purchase
  • 401k Contribution
  • Incentive Programs

Posting details

Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
Remote Ok
Experience
2-5 yrs
Salary
$60,200 - $107,400/yr
Locations
San Diego, California; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Sacramento, California; Long Beach, California; Modesto, California
Posted
Jul 16, 2026
Application
Employer website
UG

Hiring organization

UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company with a mission to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. We are 340,000 colleagues in two distinct and complementary businesses working to help build a modern,...

Salary listed on 2,364 jobs
IndustryHospitals and Health Care
TypePublic Company
Size10,001+ employees
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Market context

California behavioral health roles stay in steady demand

In California, behavioral-health roles tied to substance use disorder counseling and case management are typically supported by ongoing community and treatment-program demand. These positions are competitive because employers often look for a high school diploma, at least 2 years of SUD counseling or case management experience, and current Registered or Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor status. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit and note that professional development and paid continuing education are listed as benefits.

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