? Apply Now! Peer Support Specialist
Company: Optum
Location: Kansas City
Posted on: November 4, 2025
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Job Description:
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. 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 5:00 Central Standard time. A 40-hour work week, the
schedule to be determined by hiring manager upon hire. This
position is a field-based position with both a main office location
and home-based office. You will have the flexibility to work from
home when not in the field. Location: Kansas City, MO and
surrounding communities. Local travel up to 75% and mileage is
reimbursed at current government rate. If you reside in Kansas City
MO, you'll enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* as you take on
some tough challenges. Primary Responsibilities. - Use his/her 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 -
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 - Experience working
with diverse populations in behavioral health settings, including
expectant and new mothers. - Enter documentation of all
interactions into the documentation platform - 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 - Extensive work experience within own
function - Work is frequently completed without established
procedures - Works independently - May act as a resource for others
- 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 directions 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 -
1 years of working experience in community resources - 1 years of
experience with the Medicaid population - 1 years of experience in
demonstrated understanding of the principles of recovery and
resiliency and own lived experience - 1 years of computer
proficiency experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and
Outlook) and be able to access multiple web applications - Possess
an active/current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist or Certified
Peer Support Specialist) certification in the state of Missouri or
be able to obtain their certification within 12 months of
employment - Reside within a commutable distance to Kansas City, MO
and surrounding communities in Missouri and reside within the state
of Missouri - Ability to travel 75% of the time within 60 miles of
territory assigned and reliable transportation, with a current and
non-restricted state of Missouri Driver's License and
State-required insurance - 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: - Associate degree (or higher) - Ability
to facilitate training events Soft Skills: - Ability to work
independently and as a team, and maintain good judgment and
accountability - Demonstrated ability to work well with health care
providers - Strong organizational and time management skills -
Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks to meet all deadlines -
Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment -
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak
clearly and concisely, conveying information in a manner that
others can understand, as well as ability to understand and
interpret information from others *All Telecommuters will be
required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy. 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 hourly pay for this role will range from $20.00 to
$35.72 per hour 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. RPO RED
Keywords: Optum, Kansas City , ? Apply Now! Peer Support Specialist, Healthcare , Kansas City, Kansas
