Peer Support Specialist - Remote in Boise, Idaho (ADA County)

Combine two of the fastest-growing fields on the planet with a culture of performance, collaboration and opportunity and this is what you get. Leading edge technology in an industry that's improving the lives of millions. Here, innovation isn't about another gadget, it's about making health care data available wherever and whenever people need it, safely and reliably. There's no room for error. Join us and start doing your life's best work.(sm)The R&R Unit is responsible for working directly with consumers and families upon request, recruiting consumers and families for Optum initiatives, supporting existing consumer initiatives, supporting the Grievance process, engaging in Quality initiatives, collaborating with Care Managers, Providers, and community agencies to support consumer access to needed services; Designing and scheduling orientation; Creating and implementing a comprehensive, ongoing Training program with and for consumers, families, Consumer and Family organizations, Providers and staff; Implementing specific projects at the direction of the Executive Director, and creating and maintaining communication with consumers, youth, families, Consumer- and Family-run organizations, and Providers.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.Schedule is Monday-Friday standard business hours.Primary Responsibilities:Use his/her 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

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

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.

Schedule is Monday-Friday standard business work hours 8am-5pm.

Local travel up to 75% and mileage is reimbursed at current government rate.

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 QualificationsHigh school diploma or GED with lived experience

1 year of working knowledge of community resources

1 year of experience with the Medicaid population

1 year of experience demonstrated understanding of the principles of recovery and resiliency

Intermediate level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Possess active/current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (Peer Support Specialist) state certification

Candidates should be a state residence within the designated state and city for consideration.

75% travel within 60 miles of territory assigned

Reliable transportation, with a current and non-restricted Driver’s License and State-required insurance

Full COVID-19 vaccination is an essential requirement of this role. UnitedHealth Group will adhere to all federal, state and local regulations as well as all client requirements and will obtain necessary proof of vaccination prior to employment to ensure compliance.

Preferred QualificationsCompletion of Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

Completion of Whole Health Action Management Training or similar

Ability to facilitate training events

Associates degree or higher

MHFA

QPR or similar

UnitedHealth Group requires all new hires and employees to report their COVID-19 vaccination status.Careers with Optum. Here's the idea. We built an entire organization around one giant objective; make health care work better for everyone. So when it comes to how we use the world's large accumulation of health-related information, or guide health and lifestyle choices or manage pharmacy benefits for millions, our first goal is to leap beyond the status quo and uncover new ways to serve. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, brings together some of the greatest minds and most advanced ideas on where health care has to go in order to reach its fullest potential. For you, that means working on high performance teams against sophisticated challenges that matter. Optum, incredible ideas in one incredible company and a singular opportunity to do your life's best work.(sm)All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.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.Job Keywords: peer support, peer, support specialist, hiring immediately, work from home, work at home, WFH, WAH, remote, telecommute, hiring immediately, #RPO, substance abuse, Medicaid, travel, field, community, Recovery, Resiliency