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UnitedHealth Group
Remote - Nationwide

Per Diem Virtual Therapist (Remote)

Counselor 9.3 Work-LifePer Diem

Listed compensation

$69.1K - $103.8K

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 5mo ago

Job Description

The Optum family of businesses, is seeking a Per Diem Virtual Therapist to join our team. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care team, you’ll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

You’re a compassionate therapist who shares our ambitious mission to transform behavioral health care. You want to make a difference and spend more time focused on patients. You appreciate a collaborative environment with a support system of behavioral wellness coaches, other behavioral health providers, and clinical supervisors. You want to provide virtual behavioral services to a variety of patients using evidence-based practices and interventions.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

Deliver remote measurement informed care through evidence-based models of treatment

Monitor participant progress, provide follow-up communications and care coordination recommendations, and document session notes

Participate as a member of the care team and assist participants as needed with accessing resources, as well as obtaining consent and authorization forms

Identify and respond to high-risk participant encounters with elevated safety concerns, following company protocols

Participate in regularly scheduled meetings with supervisors, training sessions, and Town Halls

Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality as described in HIPAA Privacy & Security policies, and ensure compliance with annual training requirements

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

  • Master’s Degree in psychology, social work, or a related counseling field
  • Current, active and unrestricted license in the state of Washington
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW or state equivalent)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC or state equivalent)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC or state equivalent)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT or state equivalent)
  • Ability to maintain a consistent minimum of 10 hours a week, and a maximum of 19 hours a week

Preferred Qualifications

  • Interest and ability to obtain additional state licenses based on business need
  • Passionate about impacting lives and the future of behavioral care
  • Proven flexibility and the ability to embrace change within a constantly evolving business
  • Proven ability to provide care virtually and work independently as well as collaborating in clinical groups
  • Proven excellent computer literacy skills and efficient in documenting clinical notes via an EHR system

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

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.

Pay Range: $69,100 - $103,800 annual total cash target pay

Annual total cash compensation for this role assumes full time employment and generally follows the range above, includes earnings from hourly pay (25/hr) 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

Deliver remote measurement-informed care using evidence-based treatment models and monitor participant progress. Coordinate care, document session notes, and respond to high-risk encounters while maintaining HIPAA compliance.

Requirements

Requires a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related counseling field. Must hold an active, unrestricted clinical license in the state of Washington.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical documentationVirtual therapyCrisis interventionEHR systemsPatient monitoringCollaboration

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Per Diem Virtual Therapist (Remote) at UnitedHealth Group a 9.3 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as exceptional. This places the position in the top 5% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,853 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, 68% are remote, 26% have no call, 70% require no weekends — this position is remote.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

Top Counselor Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution38 jobs · 16 employers

6
<$90k
8
$90k-110k
20
$110k-130k
3
$130k-150k
1
$151k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks36 jobs · 16 employers

401k / retirement match
97% this job
Sign-on bonus
42%
CME allowance
39%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.3this job 9.3
Among the best 10% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,853 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Remote
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About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive Benefits Package
Recognition Programs
Equity Stock Purchase
401k Contribution