SUD Peer Support Specialist - Remote in Colorado

At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and equitable. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The requested Peer Support Specialist is part of the Behavioral Health Utilization Management (UM) team that provides utilization management, care coordination, and peer support. This position will serve our substance use disorder (SUD) population in supporting recovery for consumers. This will be a 40 hour per week shift. This position will provide peer support to our members. This position will offer a unique vantage point of having lived experience with SUD and provide an additional level of support to members that maximizes potential for further treatment uptake and recovery. Peer Support Specialists are recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as an effective evidence-based practice to support individuals in recovery.

The Peer Support Specialist supports the work of Community and State Health Plan at the direction of the Manager of Utilization Management. They are specifically charged with supporting consumers and families daily, communicating with families and consumers to support their engagement, and maintaining excellent relationships with all consumer- and family-run services and programs. They use their own recovery experience/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.

Working Schedule: Schedule is Monday through Friday with four days per week being 8:00am to 5:00pm Mountain Standard Time and one day per week being 9:00am to 6:00pm Mountain Standard Time.

Location and Travel: Must reside in Colorado. Preference for those located in Southwestern Colorado region in or near the following areas: Pueblo, Walsenburg, Alamosa, Pagosa Springs, Durango, Cortez, Telluride and small surrounding towns.

If you reside in Colorado, you will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Use 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
• As directed, serve as a designated member of internal subcommittees
• Communicate effectively with consumers and their families about the substance abuse delivery system as well as their rights and responsibilities
• Provide support to consumer or family members in making needed appointments
• Work with the clinical team to obtain care coordination, which may include peer support as well as other services designed to stabilize the consumer's condition. This could include working with the consumer in the development of a WRAP plan and a crisis plan
• Provide direct support to consumers being discharged from withdrawal management to provide support or assist them with additional services including substance abuse treatment
• Collaborate with care managers, providers, and community agencies to facilitate transition between services
• Collaborate with care managers, providers, and community agencies to identify consumers who may benefit from peer support
• Respond to concerns and questions from consumers and families
• Work with community agencies on behalf of 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 Community and State Health Plan and those who use services
• Document all interactions with consumers
• Be flexible, adaptable and, above all, patient in all types of situations
• Engage members telephonically

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)
• 3+ years of equivalent community outreach work experience working within the local community, with demonstrated knowledge of culture and values within the community and familiarity with the resources available within the community
• Intermediate level of computer proficiency to include navigating web browsers and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Access to a designated quiet workspace in your home (separated from non-workspace areas) with the ability to secure Protected Health Information (PHI)
• Must reside in Colorado

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (or higher) in Social Work or related subject
• Peer Support Specialist Certification
• 2+ years of experience with a demonstrated understanding of the principles of recovery and resiliency
• 1+ years of experience working with the Medicaid population
• Lived experience pertaining to substance use disorders to support member recovery

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain stationary for long periods of time to complete computer or tablet work duties

*All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

The salary range for this role is $19.86 to $38.85 per hour based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. 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.

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.

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