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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

　　The Peer Support Specialists support the work of contract for Optum and the Health Plan at the direction of the Clinical Program Manager. He/She is specifically charged with supporting consumers and families on a daily basis, communicating with families and consumers to support their engagement, recruiting family members and consumers to serve on committees and task forces, and maintaining excellent relationships with all consumer- and family-run services and programs. He/She uses their own Recovery Lived Experience and training to assist families and consumers with defining their Recovery goals, and developing the skills and knowledge needed for the consumer’s recovery.

　　This position works with the clinical team to implement care coordination when requested, which may include Peer Support Specialist as well as other community-based services designed to stabilize the consumer's condition. They collaborate with Care Managers, providers, and community agencies and organizations to facilitate access to and transition between services. The Peer Support Specialist is instrumental in assisting in reducing higher levels of services such as ER admissions or Inpatient psychiatric admissions.

　　Schedule : Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern standard time. A 40-hour work week schedule to be determined by hiring manager upon hire.

　　Location : Newark, NJ and surrounding communities in New Jersey. This position is a field-based position with a home-based office. You will work from home when not in the field. Local travel up to 75% and mileage is reimbursed at current government rate.

　　If you reside in Newark, NJ and surrounding communities in New Jersey, you will enjoy the flexibility of a field based-remote role as you take on some tough challenges.

　　Primary Responsibilities:

　　Use of own Recovery experience and training to assist families and consumers with defining their Recovery goals, and developing the skills and knowledge needed for the consumer’s recovery

　　Experience working with consumers that have co-occurring Disorder, i.e., Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder

　　Support the creation and assist with the implementation of a comprehensive Training and Education program with peers, families, Providers and staff

　　Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with existing Consumer and Family organizations, so members of those organizations become actively involved with Optum/Health Plan activities

　　Communicate Plan information to consumers and Consumer-operated organizations and with families and family organizations. In addition to communicating, a wide array of other topics including Clinical policies, analysis of data and Program evaluation

　　Identify and outreach to community and leaders of ethnic minority groups to identify and develop programs that are both culturally competent and also use recovery and resiliency

　　As directed, serve as a designated member of Internal subcommittees

　　Participate in Optum and Health Plan Quality Review processes

　　Enable us to communicate effectively with consumers and their families about all aspects of the Mental Healthcare Delivery system as well as their rights and responsibilities

　　As requested, provide support to consumer or family members in making needed appointments

　　Work with the Clinical Program Managers and the Clinical team to implement intensive, enhanced care coordination when requested, which may include peer support as well as other community-based services designed to stabilize the consumer’s condition, including working with the consumer in the development of a WRAP plan and a Crisis plan

　　Be available to provide direct support to consumers being discharged from 24-hour care or to refer them to a support group

　　Assist and support consumers and family members with Grievance processes

　　Collaborate with Care Managers, Providers, and Community agencies and organizations to facilitate access to and transition between services

　　Collaborate with Care Managers, providers, and community agencies and organizations to identify consumers who may benefit from peer support

　　Respond to concerns and questions from consumers and families

　　Participate in Treatment planning with consumers and families who request that support

　　Work with community agencies along with and/or on behalf of consumers and families

　　Provide feedback about Treatment planning development based on their interactions with other consumers and families

　　Advocate on behalf of the consumers and families

　　Provide peer support to consumers and family members at critical points in their treatment process

　　Serve as liaison between Optum, the Health Plan and those who use services

　　Recruit and support consumers, parents and family members to participate in all phases of the operation of Optum and the Health Plan, from the Governing Body and Mental Health Advisory Board to Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QA/PI) Committees and all other critical initiatives

　　Performs other duties as assigned

　　What are the reasons to consider working for UnitedHealth Group? Put it all together – competitive base pay, a full and 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 you start to accrue with your first pay period plus 8 Paid Holidays

　　Medical Plan options along with participation in a Health Spending Account or a Health Saving account

　　Dental, Vision, Life& AD&D Insurance along with Short-term disability and Long-Term Disability coverage

　　401(k) Savings Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan

　　Education Reimbursement

　　Employee Discounts

　　Employee Assistance Program

　　Employee Referral Bonus Program

　　Voluntary Benefits (pet insurance, legal insurance, LTC Insurance, etc.)

　　More information can be downloaded at: http://uhg.hr/uhgbenefits

　　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:

　　High School Diploma/GED (or Higher) OR 4+ years of case management experience

　　Active and current Peer Recovery Specialist or Peer Support Specialist certification in the state of New Jersey OR ability to obtain certification within 12 months of employment

　　1+ years of experience with community resources

　　1+ years of demonstrated understanding of the principles of recovery and resiliency and lived experience

　　1+ years of experience with the Medicaid population

　　Intermediate level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and ability to access multiple web applications

　　Reside within a commutable distance to Newark, NJ and surrounding communities in New Jersey

　　Current and non-restricted state of New Jersey driver’s license and state-required insurance and access to reliable transportation with the ability to travel 75% of the time within 60 miles of territory assigned

　　Access to a designated quiet workspace in your home (separated from non-workspace areas) with the ability to secure Protected Health Information (PHI)

　　Live in a location that can receive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internet connection or leverage an existing high-speed internet service

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　Completion of Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

　　Completion of Whole Health Action Management Training

　　Ability to facilitate training events

　　New Jersey Residents Only: The hourly range for New Jersey residents is $19.47 to $38.08 per hour. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

　　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.

　　#RPO, #RED