Mental Health Clinician

UnitedHealth Group•San Diego, CA

9d•$49,700 - $88,800•Hybrid

About The Position

Optum is seeking a Care Navigator to join our team in San Diego, CA. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care team, you’ll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone. This position will be based primarily on-site from a Community Transition Center in San Diego with minimal travel (no more than 25%) to various probation offices/jails locally within the SD area. The required schedule is Friday through Tuesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm. The role is responsible for facilitating and providing linkage to behavioral health services in a system of care to justice-involved clients. It provides clinical services in the form of behavioral health screenings, short-term case management, coordination, and consultation with behavioral health treatment providers, San Diego Probation, and ancillary services.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, Counseling, or related field from an accredited university
Licensed eligible/registered associate with BBS in social work, psychology (Ph.D. or PsyD), marriage and family therapy (AMFT), or professional clinical counseling
Completed all 3000 hours and ready for licensing exam
Experience in direct clinical care in a behavioral health treatment setting with emphasis on assessment, case management, and crisis intervention
Must provide licensure within six months of employment
Registered with the California Board of Behavioral Science

Nice To Haves

Inpatient experience
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
Knowledge of the system of care in San Diego
Experience with individuals involved in the justice system

Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive behavioral health screenings in a dynamic environment to include jail and other settings.
Review available behavioral health history to coordinate services and assure appropriate level of care for clients.
Identification, awareness and establishing contacts of specific community resources for justice involved population and the enrollment process.
Leads coordination of appropriate level of care linkage for Post Release Offenders to community behavioral health and ancillary services.
Guides the provision of short-term clinical case management to ensure continuity of behavioral health and medical services.
Available to assist BHST Care Advocates in daily operations and duties.
Navigates and advocates within behavioral health system of care on behalf of clients as needed.
Models and engages clients to participate in screening process and work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to develop case plans, provide linkage to care based on their individual needs, preference, and objectives.
Exemplifies the use of motivational interviewing techniques to help clients identify and understand intrinsic goals and engage in behavior change.
Participates in ongoing multi-disciplinary team meetings providing education and consultation with regards to linkage to behavioral health and ancillary services within system of care.
Guides clinical care consultations with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation personnel, San Diego Sheriff’s department, probation officers, and community treatment providers.
Advances the troubleshooting of internal and external problems.
Assess for safety risks / provides crisis intervention and behavioral health screenings for population.
Receives and reviews clinical screenings, linkage and levels of care requests.
Assist in orientation of Behavioral Health System of care to Probation partners.
Provides ongoing education of behavioral health system of care to providers, consumers, and other stakeholders.
Makes suggestions for change and improvements in the functioning of the department and coordination of care within the system of care with Probation partners, Behavioral Health Services and Treatment providers.
Maintain timely and appropriate clinical documentation records in San Diego County Probation and Behavioral Health Electronic Health records.
Use of technological systems to support clinical delivery of services.
Requires access to Cerner Electronic Health Record which includes Protected Health Information and Probation Case Management System.
Adheres to pertinent HIPAA rules and regulations.
Other duties and responsibilities as required.