Social Worker – Field-Based

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

The Field-Based Social Worker plays a critical role in supporting the Social Care and Transitions of Care (TOC) program across designated regions. This field-based position functions as part of the primary care team and reports to the Manager of Social Care Case Management. The role is responsible for conducting in-person psychosocial assessments, coordinating community resources, facilitating care transitions, and supporting Healthcare goals.  Working in close collaboration with Care Management, Health Advocates, EMT partners, and community stakeholders, the Social Worker/Case Manager aims to improve member outcomes, reduce avoidable readmissions, and support treatment plans. This individual may support multiple providers and collaborates within a transdisciplinary team to perform duties within the scope of licensure. Responsibilities include timely documentation in the electronic care management record, assisting with appropriate levels of care, and completing additional health plan-specific tasks as assigned.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-home or facility-based visits (including SNFs and post-discharge settings) to complete psychosocial assessments, evaluate environmental safety, caregiver capacity, and identify unmet social needs
• Collaborate closely with Care Management, Health Advocates, EMT/paramedic field teams, PCPs, home health agencies, and community partners to ensure continuity of care and address clinical and social complexity
• Assess, plan, and implement individualized care strategies using both internal and community-based resources to support safe discharge, reduce avoidable readmissions, and align with the most appropriate and least restrictive level of care
• Respond to referrals from Care Management or Health Advocates based on risk indicators or unmet needs
• Provide direct case management, psychosocial interventions, and advocacy for members requiring support in areas such as food insecurity, housing instability, transportation, behavioral health, home health, or long-term care placement
• Identify and initiate referrals for financial, psychosocial, community, and state supportive services to promote well-being and independence
• Communicate essential health-related information with all stakeholders to ensure timely, coordinated, and patient-centered services
• Advocate for member autonomy and preference, ensuring that the member’s needs, goals, and rights are respected across care settings
• Utilize approved clinical criteria and understanding of benefits, coverage limitations, and regulatory requirements to support appropriate level-of-care decisions
• Document all assessments, interventions, care plans, and referrals accurately and promptly in care management platforms
• Participate in joint field visits with RNs or other team members as clinically indicated, following established protocols

Professional Competencies:

• Working knowledge of health care delivery systems
• Working knowledge of PC applications including MS Office Suite including other supportive technology
• Ability to use written and oral communication skills
• Ability to read and interpret data
• Skill in writing clear, grammatically correct, easy to use instructional documentation
• Be accountable in identifying learning needs, setting goals and seeking educational opportunities
• Ability to analyze problems and formulate appropriate plans, solutions, and courses of action
• Knowledge of age specific communication needs with the ability to listen actively and respond to internal and external customers in a timely, competent manner both verbally and nonverbally
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization and affiliates
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient and all related entity business matters of the organization and its partners
• Ability to manage detail and work with accuracy
• Ability to recognize and act appropriately in situations where patient care needs exceed scope of practice
• Skill in working with a team and the ability to collaborate on projects with colleagues
• Skill in working effectively under deadlines and changing priorities

Skills:

• Promote a positive and productive work environment by acting maturely and responsibly, satisfactorily performing job responsibilities and conducting self in a professional, courteous and respectful manner during all interactions. Must hold relationships to a high standard- respectful approach to all people and interactions, listen to understand, take emotional accountability and exemplify balance of self with all interactions, be receptive to feedback and opportunities keeping an open mind towards growth
• Integrate Lean principles, practices and tools to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction
• Follow written and oral instructions and completed routine tasks independently
• Completes annual compliance training on HIPAA/Privacy/Confidentiality/Non-Discrimination/Harassment/Integrity Statement and signs Agreements
• Ensures confidentiality of patient information following HIPAA guidelines and company policies
• Attends training to meet the requirements of the job position and as needed or mandated by company policies and regulations
• Has regular and predictable attendance

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:

• Masters degree in Social Work (MSW), Psychology, counseling or equivalent human services graduate degree
• 3+ years of experience in a social care palliative 
• Ability to commute within Phoenix, AZ and surrounding cities to sites, clients, or business offices
• Driver’s license and access to reliable transportation
  

Preferred qualifications: 

• BLS if working in a clinical setting
• 2+ years of clinical experience preferably in care transitions, case management or community-based health services
• Case management experience
• Experience in managed care 
• Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred)

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer 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 us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $58,800 to $105,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.