Telecommute Behavioral Health Advocate - Foster Care

Company: UnitedHealth Group
Location: Wytheville
Posted on: September 3, 2024

Job Description:

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus for External Candidates!



The regionally based, locally hired Behavioral Health Advocate (BHA) will be the single point of contact for children, youth, caregivers, CPS, and related agencies to coordinating a child or youth in our Virginia program. The navigators are required to have experience working within the foster care system and have knowledge of services used by foster care children and youth, especially behavioral health services. The BHA will meet with CPS, and they will complete assessments, attend internal clinical rounds, make recommendations to the child and family team, and make certain essential medical and behavioral health services are provided to children and youth. The navigators will reach out to providers when needed and will update information on the EHR.



Behavioral Health Advocates are 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 also have knowledge of services utilized by foster care youth, especially behavioral health services. The BHA serves as the primary point of contact for the youth, their family, the state child welfare contractor, foster parents or group home placements and network providers.



****These positions will be located primarily in the following areas****

Charlottesville, Wythesville, Roanoke



This is a work at home position with travel up to 25-50% in local areas in the Commonwealth of VA (travel will not be required until Covid 19 restrictions are lifted). Must live and be independently licensed in the Commonwealth of VA.

Schedule is Monday - Friday, days.



If you are located in Virginia, you will have the flexibility to telecommute* as you take on some tough challenges.



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





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:


Licensed Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or Marriage or Family Counseling, or Licensed Ph.D., or an RN with 2+ years of experience in behavioral health
Current, unrestricted, independent VA License (LCSW, LMFT, RN, LPC, LP)
2+ years of experience in behavioral health
Experience working with children, youth and young adults in foster care or juvenile justice
Demonstrated understanding and experience in trauma informed care and working with a system of care
Care planning and care management experience
Proficient with Microsoft Office based applications and the ability to learn in a web based virtual environment
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time in VA once Covid 19 restrictions are lifted
Access to high-speed internet from home (Broadband Cable, DSL, Fiber) and a dedicated workspace from home
Full COVID-19 vaccination is an essential requirement of this role. Candidates located in states that mandate COVID-19 booster doses must also comply with those state requirements. UnitedHealth Group will adhere to all federal, state and local regulations as well as all client requirements and will obtain necessary proof of vaccination, and boosters when applicable, prior to employment to ensure compliance

Keywords: UnitedHealth Group, Blacksburg , Telecommute Behavioral Health Advocate - Foster Care, Healthcare , Wytheville, Virginia