This position follows a hybrid schedule with 3 days at home and 2 days in-office days per week. There may be the need to be on-site up to 5 days per week. Our office is located at 3131 Camino Del Rio N San Diego, CA, 92108.

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.

Optum Behavioral Solutions, in partnership with the County of San Diego, is seeking a highly organized and proactive Senior Clinical Administrative Coordinator (CAC) to support our Utilization Management (UM) Department. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the smooth operation of clinical workflows and administrative processes that support behavioral health services across San Diego County. As a Senior CAC, you will provide advanced administrative support to both the UM department and the CAC sub-team. Your responsibilities will include managing the intake of provider authorization requests, coordinating admission and discharge notifications, and serving as a key liaison between hospitals, providers, and clinical staff. You will also handle incoming calls, respond to provider and member inquiries, and facilitate the referral and prior authorization processes.

This position requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across multiple clinical sub-teams, including Inpatient, Crisis and Adult Residential, Outpatient, Long-Term Care (LTC), and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). You will play a vital role in supporting clinicians who focus on psychiatric and chemical dependency authorizations.

This position is full-time (40 hours/week) Monday – Friday. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our 8-hour shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8am – 6pm PST. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime.

We offer weeks of on-the-job training. The hours of training will be aligned with your schedule.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide proactive support to teammates and Utilization Management (UM) sub-teams through data entry, guidance, and process assistance
• Oversee CAC sub-team workload, arrange coverage, and step in as needed to ensure continuity
• Support implementation and updates of policies, procedures, and workflows to enhance operational efficiency
• Collaborate with leadership on special projects, reporting, audits, and attend leadership meetings
• Assist with interviewing, onboarding, and training of new hires; serve as a liaison with other departments
• Ensure timely completion of work products in compliance with contractual and regulatory standards
• Participate in quality assurance, problem resolution, and provide feedback for process improvement
• Act as a key contact for external stakeholders, including providers and County staff
• Perform accurate data entry into internal systems and the County’s Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Manage high-volume authorizations and support other CAC functions as needed
• Handle incoming communications, including calls, mail, e-faxes, scan, file, and purge documents
• Operate standard office equipment and provide courteous service to internal and external contacts
• Crosstrain in UM processes, support the San Diego Access and Crisis Line, and pursue professional development through Optum’s Common
• Language of Leadership
• Perform other duties as assigned by Clinical Managers or Clinical Administrative Manager, contributing to a high-performing, mission-driven team

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 equivalent work experience
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• 1+ years of customer service or healthcare industry experience
• 1+ years of administrative or data entry experience
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite-Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, and general PC navigation
• Experience handling confidential client/patient information
• Written, verbal, and customer service skills
• Ability to access and work within San Diego County’s EHR systems and Designated Databases
• Ability to work full-time (40 hours/week) Monday – Friday. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our 8-hour shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8am – 6pm PST. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years of experience in a leadership, team lead, or subject matter expert role
• Presentation and communication skills
• Experience in healthcare settings such as insurance, hospitals, clinics, or physician offices
• Familiarity with medical terminology, ICD-10, and CPT coding
• Knowledge of Medicare and/or Medicaid services
• Experience in a call center or high-volume customer service environment

Telecommuting Requirements:

• Reside within commutable distance to the office at 3131 Camino Del Rio N San Diego, CA, 92108
• Ability to keep all company sensitive documents secure (if applicable)
• Required to have a dedicated work area established that is separated from other living areas and provides information privacy
• Must live in a location that can receive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internet connection or leverage an existing high-speed internet service

Soft Skills:

• Typing speed of 50+ WPM with high accuracy
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks

*All employees working remotely 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 – $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.

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