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UnitedHealth Group
Mankato, Minnesota · Hybrid

Pre-Independent Licensed Therapist - Mankato

Counselor 8.3 Work-LifeFull-Time

Listed compensation

$52k-$78k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

CARE Counseling, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking a Pre-Independent Licensed Therapist to join our team in Minnesota. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care team, you’ll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

A Pre-Independently Licensed Therapist, also called a PILT, is a title used at CARE that indicates a clinical trainee per MN Statute 245I.04 Subd 6. This position provides an array of services using evidence-based practices that support client treatment, and facilitate safe, secure and therapeutic interventions.

There is flexibility in the number of billable hours/hours worked per week. This role can also choose either to work onsite or in a hybrid work model.

Primary Responsibilities

Regularly perform intakes, diagnostic evaluations, prepare and monitor treatment planning while engaging in appropriate client therapy practices and following guidance provided by one’s supervisor

Form effective therapeutic alliances, supporting each client’s unique needs and goals, with the result in positively impacting client outcomes and retention

Demonstrate advanced level of clinical knowledge and modeling as it relates to the individual’s goals, treatment plan and diagnosis

Engage in crisis interventions, stabilization, and de-escalation for clients experiencing mental health symptoms or other emotional and/or behavioral responses while prioritizing client safety

Timely and accurately document all client interactions as dictated by law, ethical standards, board requirements and CARE Counseling policy and practices

Providing one-to-one supportive counseling, observe client behavior, physical and emotional symptoms and perform behavioral management interventions, as needed

Participates in creating an overall positive atmosphere with other staff and clients

Attends and actively participates in clinical supervision, group consultation, Pre-independently Licensed Trainee (PILT) trainings, team meetings, and other meetings as required by position, demonstrating preparation, timeliness, and professionalism.

Demonstrate a willingness to incorporate supervisor and leadership feedback to continuously improve standards of client care

Accurately track and document hours elated to preparation and completion of any licensing efforts, if applicable

Maintain a client caseload and additional responsibilities as assigned

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

  • Must either:
  • Possess a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Behavioral Science/related field (Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Education, etc.)
  • Currently in final months of Master’s Degree program and will have Master’s Degree on first day of employment

Must Either

Be in the process of working toward independent licensure and be in good standing with their respective licensing board

Possess an active, unrestricted clinical license as a Pre-Independently Licensed Therapist in the State of Minnesota (LP, LPCC, LPC, LICSW, LGSW, LMFT, LAMFT)

  • Basic understanding of Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Must be able to adhere to one of the following work models:
  • Onsite (must complete all work at one consistent site)

Hybrid – at least 2 days on site (must have a distraction-free space in home for home office with access to high-speed internet)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in outpatient mental health
  • Experience in clinical documentation
  • Diagnostic assessment experience
  • Experienced in treatment planning and maintaining a caseload
  • Experience entering pertinent information in Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems

Experience reading and interpreting information, such as reports, general correspondence, professional publications, and government regulations, with the ability to share with others as needed

Experience reading, interpreting and applying/modeling general information from policy and procedure manuals and other compliance related information

Experience presenting information and responding to questions from internal and external stakeholders which can or may include community providers, medical professionals, management, peers, family members and clients

Knowledge of the effects of mental illness and seeks information from a wide variety of disciplines applicable to the treatment of persons with mental illness

Explore opportunities at Optum Behavioral Care. We’re revolutionizing behavioral health care delivery for individuals, clinicians and the entire health care system. Together, we are bringing high-end medical service, compassionate care and industry leading solutions to our most vulnerable patient populations.

Our holistic approach addresses the physical, mental and social needs of our patients wherever they may be - helping patients access and navigate care anytime and anywhere. We’re connecting care to create a seamless health journey for patients across care settings.

Join our team, it’s your chance to improve the lives of millions while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

$22.00 hourly rate

$52,000 - $78,100 annual total cash based on productivity

Annual total cash compensation for this role assumes full time employment and generally follows the range above, includes earnings from hourly pay and incentive pay and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role.

We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your pay, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, 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.

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.

OptumCare 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.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Key Responsibilities

Perform intakes, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment planning while providing evidence-based therapy to clients. Manage crisis interventions and maintain accurate clinical documentation in compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Requirements

Requires a Master's or Doctoral degree in Behavioral Science or a related field and a valid pre-independent clinical license in Minnesota. Candidates must be working toward independent licensure and possess basic proficiency in Microsoft products.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Intake AssessmentsCrisis InterventionTherapeutic AllianceCase ManagementMicrosoft Office

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Pre-Independent Licensed Therapist - Mankato at UnitedHealth Group a 8.3 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as excellent. This places the position in the top 10% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,964 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include remote work flexibility.

Counselor Career Context

UnitedHealth Group holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 76/100, 1,189 active listings.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 32% are remote, 30% have no call, 82% require no weekends — this position is remote.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Minnesota is 98.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$65k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $66k in an average-cost state. 63.4% of Minnesota clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

31 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution31 jobs · 26 employers

12
<$85k
8
$85k-100k
3
$100k-115k
7
$115k-130k
1
$140k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs · 26 employers

401k / retirement match
96% this job
CME allowance
33%
PSLF eligible
22%
Sign-on bonus
19%
Loan repayment
19%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 8.3
Among the best 10% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,964 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Hybrid
  • Remote
UnitedHealth Group logo

About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive Benefits Package
Recognition Programs
Equity Stock Purchase
401k Contribution