Field Based Peer Support Specialists - Newark,NJ

Optum is a global organizationthat delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of peoplelive healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directlyimprove health outcomes by connecting people with the care,pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feeltheir best.

Here, youwill find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talentedpeers, comprehensive benefits and career developmentopportunities.

Come make an impact on the communities we serve asyou help us advance health equity on a globalscale. Join us tostart Caring.

Connecting. Growingtogether.

The Peer SupportSpecialists support the work of contract for Optumand the Health Plan at the direction of the Clinical ProgramManager.

He / She is specifically charged with supporting consumersand families on a daily basis, communicating with families andconsumers to support their engagement, recruiting family membersand consumers to serve on committees and task forces, andmaintaining excellent relationships with all consumer- andfamily-run services and programs.

He / She uses theirown Recovery Lived Experience andtraining to assist families and consumers with defining theirRecovery goals, and developing the skills and knowledge needed forthe consumer’s recovery.

This position works with the clinical team to implementcare coordination when requested, which mayinclude Peer Support Specialist aswell as other community-based services designed to stabilize theconsumer's condition.

They collaborate with Care Managers,providers, and community agencies and organizations to facilitateaccess to and transition between services.

The PeerSupport Specialist is instrumental in assisting inreducing higher levels of services such as ER admissions orInpatient psychiatric admissions.

https : / / www.optum.com / en / business / state-government / behavioral-health-services / peer-support.html.

Schedule : Monday through Fridaybetween the hours of 8 : 00 am to 6 : 00 pm Eastern standard time. A40-hour work week schedule to be determined by hiring manager uponhire.

Location : Newark, NJ andsurrounding communities in New Jersey. This position is afield-based position with a home-based office.

You will work fromhome when not in the field. Local travel up to 75% and mileageis reimbursed at current government rate.

If you reside in Newark, NJand surrounding communities in New Jersey, you will enjoy theflexibility of a field based-remote role as you take on some toughchallenges.

PrimaryResponsibilities :

• Use ofown Recovery experience and training to assist families andconsumers with defining their Recovery goals, and developing theskills and knowledge needed for the consumer’s recovery
• Experience working with consumers that have co-occurringDisorder, i.e., Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
• Support the creation and assist with the implementationof a comprehensive Training and Education program with peers,families, Providers and staff
• Establish andmaintain strong collaborative relationships with existing Consumerand Family organizations, so members of those organizations becomeactively involved with Optum / Health Plan activities
• Communicate Plan information to consumers andConsumer-operated organizations and with families and familyorganizations.

In addition to communicating, a wide array of othertopics including Clinical policies, analysis of data and Programevaluation

• Identify and outreach to communityand leaders of ethnic minority groups to identify and developprograms that are both culturally competent and also use recoveryand resiliency
• As directed, serve as adesignated member of Internal subcommittees
• Participate in Optum and Health Plan Quality Reviewprocesses
• Enable us to communicate effectivelywith consumers and their families about all aspects of the MentalHealthcare Delivery system as well as their rights andresponsibilities
• As requested, provide supportto consumer or family members in making neededappointments
• Work with the Clinical ProgramManagers and the Clinical team to implement intensive, enhancedcare coordination when requested, which may include peer support aswell as other community-based services designed to stabilize theconsumer’s condition, including working with the consumer in thedevelopment of a WRAP plan and a Crisis plan
• Be available to provide direct support to consumers beingdischarged from 24-hour care or to refer them to a supportgroup
• Assist and support consumers and familymembers with Grievance processes
• Collaboratewith Care Managers, Providers, and Community agencies andorganizations to facilitate access to and transition betweenservices
• Collaborate with Care Managers,providers, and community agencies and organizations to identifyconsumers who may benefit from peer support
• Respond to concerns and questions from consumers andfamilies
• Participate in Treatment planningwith consumers and families who request that support
• Work with community agencies along with and / or on behalfof consumers and families
• Provide feedbackabout Treatment planning development based on their interactionswith other consumers and families
• Advocate onbehalf of the consumers and families
• Providepeer support to consumers and family members at critical points intheir treatment process
• Serve as liaisonbetween Optum, the Health Plan and those who useservices
• Recruit and support consumers,parents and family members to participate in all phases of theoperation of Optum and the Health Plan, from the Governing Body andMental Health Advisory Board to Quality Assurance / PerformanceImprovement (QA / PI) Committees and all other criticalinitiatives
• Performs other duties asassigned

What arethe reasons to consider working for UnitedHealth Group? Putit all together competitive base pay, a full and comprehensivebenefit program, performance rewards, and a management team whodemonstrates their commitment to your success.

Some of ourofferings include :

• PaidTime Off which you start to accrue with your first pay period plus8 Paid Holidays
• Medical Plan options alongwith participation in a Health Spending Account or a Health Savingaccount
• Dental, Vision, Life& AD&DInsurance along with Short-term disability and Long-Term Disabilitycoverage
• 401(k) Savings Plan, Employee StockPurchase Plan
• EducationReimbursement
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• EmployeeReferral Bonus Program
• Voluntary Benefits (petinsurance, legal insurance, LTC Insurance, etc.)
• More information can be downloadedat : http : / / uhg.hr / uhgbenefits

You’ll be rewarded and recognized foryour performance in an environment that will challenge you and giveyou clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role aswell as provide development for other roles you may be interestedin.

RequiredQualifications :

• HighSchool Diploma / GED (or Higher) OR 4+ years of case managementexperience
• Active and current Peer RecoverySpecialist or Peer Support Specialist certification in the state ofNew Jersey OR ability to obtain certification within 12 months ofemployment
• 1+ years of experience withcommunity resources
• 1+ years of demonstratedunderstanding of the principles of recovery and resiliency andlived experience
• 1+ years of experience withthe Medicaid population
• Intermediatelevel of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, andOutlook) and ability to access multiple web applications
• Reside within a commutable distance to Newark, NJ andsurrounding communities in New Jersey
• Current and non-restricted state of New Jersey driver’slicense and state-required insurance and access to reliabletransportation with the ability to travel 75% of the timewithin 60 miles of territory assigned
• Accessto a designated quiet workspace in your home (separated fromnon-workspace areas) with the ability to secure Protected HealthInformation (PHI)
• Live in a location that canreceive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internetconnection or leverage an existing high-speed internetservice

PreferredQualifications :

• Completionof Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
• Completion of Whole Health Action ManagementTraining
• Ability to facilitate trainingevents

New JerseyResidents Only : The hourly range for New Jersey residentsis $19.47 to $38.08 per hour. Pay is based on several factorsincluding but not limited to education, work experience,certifications, etc.

In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Groupoffers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package,incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401kcontribution (all benefits are subject to eligibilityrequirements).

No matter where or when you begin a career withUnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefitsand incentives.

At UnitedHealth Group, ourmission is to help people live healthier lives and make the healthsystem work better for everyone.

We believe everyone of every race,gender, sexuality, age, location and income deserves theopportunity to live their healthiest life.

Today, however, thereare still far too many barriers to good health which aredisproportionately experienced by people of color, historicallymarginalized groups and those with lower incomes.

We are committedto mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling anddelivering equitable care that addresses health disparities andimproves health outcomes an enterprise priority reflected in ourmission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere : UnitedHealthGroup is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Actionemployer and all qualified applicants will receive considerationfor 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 bylaw.

UnitedHealthGroup is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass adrug test before beginning employment.

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