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.

This Behavioral Medical Director role offers a unique combination of responsibilities and opportunities. Firstly, the MD will be the Chief Behavioral Medical Officer for a government program MCO serving roughly 400K individuals. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the MD will be the primary behavioral representative for clinical activities, quality improvement, utilization management and integrity, compliance, governmental relations, and policy.

The MD will work collaboratively with a behavioral team consisting of an Executive Director, Operations/Clinical Director, dedicated UM and CM professionals, as well as other corporate supports. The MD will be a Population Health thought and innovation leader working with peers from other MCOs, State Government, and the Community. While the MD will support UM, it will be done in collaboration with a larger group of physician peers from our Eastern Region.

Secondly, the MD is aligned with a group of Psychiatrists offering clinical oversight and direction to Optum’s Care Engagement team. As a team member, the Behavioral Health Medical Director will collaborate cross-functionally with other Optum and UHG partners to design, build and test clinical models to drive better outcomes and affordability for members with complex needs including those with substance use disorders, behavioral and medical health conditions, and unmet social determinants of health, with a vision to improve member engagement in clinically, cost-effective care.

The Behavioral Medical Director is responsible for providing clinical oversight to medical-behavioral integrated (MBI) multidisciplinary teams working to engage members in their recovery. This team uses data and performance metrics to design prototypes assessing interventions, stratification and impact, cost, provider performance, and value creation. This individual will interact directly with and offer clinical, procedural, or administrative recommendations to psychiatrists and other behavioral health providers, medical physicians and nurses, clinical professionals, and/or state agencies caring for our community.

The Behavioral Medical Director is part of a leadership team managing development and implementation of affordable, evidence-based treatments and regional action planning, and advises leadership on health care system improvement opportunities. Case Management activities include case consultation, participation in MBI activities, care engagement-clinical rounds, collaboration with Utilization Management, and participation in the development of case management innovation and evolution.

The Behavioral Medical Director participates in quality activities to measure value and promote best practices, including reviewing procedures affecting the quality of care for our members. The Behavioral Medical Director will also participate in MBI activities with the Optum National Care Coordination and Engagement Team (CCE).

If you are located in North Carolina, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges

Primary Responsibilities:

• Ensuring delivery of cost-effective quality care that incorporates evidence-based practices, recovery, resiliency, and person-centered services

• Coordination with multiple medical specialties including behavioral, community-based clinicians, specialists, general practitioners, state agencies, and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of a longitudinal care plan

• Works as part of an integrated medical-behavioral team that helps coordinate care engagement, care coordination and MBI activities

• Provide clinical supervision to the clinical staff, oversee the management of services at all levels of care in the benefit plan

• Keep current regarding Evidence Based Practices and treatment philosophies including those that address MBI, equity, trauma-informed care, recovery, and resilience

• Maintaining the clinical integrity of the program, including timely peer reviews, documentation, and consultations

• Work collaboratively with the Health Plan Executive Leadership Team

• Increase interaction, policy making and advocacy with our state partner

• Develop collaborative clinical and value-based partnerships w/ providers

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:

• Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy

• Current license to practice as a physician without restrictions in the state of North Carolina

• Board certified in Psychiatry

• Demonstrated understanding of the clinical application of the principles of engagement, empowerment, rehabilitation, and recovery

• Knowledge of post-acute care planning such as home care, discharge planning, case management, and disease management

• Computer and typing proficiency, data analysis and organizational skills

• Proven ability to participate in weekend call coverage

• Willing or ability to minimal travel as needed for meetings

• Currently reside in North Carolina

Preferred Qualifications:

• Board certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Addiction experience/training

• 3+ years of experience as a practicing psychiatrist post residency

• Managed care experience

• Experience in public sector delivery systems and experience in state specific public sector services

• Experience working with community-based programs and resources designed to aid the State Medicaid population

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

The salary range for this role is $258,000 to $423,000 annually based on full-time employment. Salary Range is defined as total cash compensation at target. The actual range and pay mix of base and bonus is variable based upon experience and metric achievement 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.

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.