Behavioral Health Clinician (LMSW)

Knoxville & Powell TN| Hybrid (4 days onsite, 1 day remote)

Monday–Friday | No Weekends or Holidays

Optum Behavioral Care, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking a Behavioral Health Clinician to join our team in Knoxville and Powell. Optum is a clinician-led care organization dedicated to transforming the way clinicians work and live. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care Team, you will play an integral role in advancing our mission to make healthcare better for everyone.

This position is embedded directly within Summit Medical Group primary care practice, offering a unique opportunity to deliver behavioral health care at the point where patients most often seek treatment. The Behavioral Health Clinician functions as a core member of a multidisciplinary care team and practices within the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)—an innovative, evidence‑based framework that emphasizes close collaboration among therapists, primary care providers, and psychiatric consultants.

In this role, you will provide direct, evidence‑based behavioral health treatment to adult patients integrating brief psychotherapy, collaborative care planning, and ongoing symptom monitoring to improve outcomes through accessible, coordinated, and measurement‑based care.

You will be supported by Optum Behavioral Care’s clinical and operational teams as you work at the intersection of mental and physical health, helping patients achieve better outcomes through integrated, whole‑person care.

This Role Is Ideal for Clinicians Who

Enjoy being embedded in respected primary care or medical practice and working as part of a collaborative, team-based care model

Are comfortable providing care in person and via telehealth within an integrated setting serving patients with behavioral health needs

Thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and remain organized while managing a focused caseload

Value brief, evidence-based interventions and tracking measurable patient outcomes while delivering high-quality care

Appreciates structured schedules and flexibility, whole-person care, and the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization

Are licensed or provisionally licensed and are interested in receiving clinical supervision while pursuing independent licensure

Why Optum Behavioral Care

• At Optum Behavioral Care, we prioritize clinician well‑being, career growth, and innovation in care delivery. We offer a comprehensive benefits and rewards package that may include:
• Competitive salary
• Flexible work models and generous paid time off
• Medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Family support and wellness resources
• Tuition reimbursement and dedicated learning time
• CE/CEU and licensure renewal reimbursement
• Career development opportunities across a fast‑growing organization

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide brief, evidence‑based behavioral health interventions using in‑person and virtual modalities
• Screen, assess, and diagnose common mental health and substance use disorders
• Collaborate closely with primary care providers, psychiatric consultants, and care team members
• Track patient progress using measurement‑based care and adjust treatment as needed
• Support psychotropic medication management by monitoring adherence, side effects, and treatment response
• Participate in regular psychiatric case consultations and communicate recommendations to providers
• Develop relapse‑prevention and self‑management plans for patients ready for discharge from active care
• Maintain accurate documentation and follow collaborative care workflows

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

• Active, unrestricted behavioral health license in Tennessee (LCSW, LMSW, LPC-MHSP or LMFT )
• 1+ years of experience providing behavioral health treatment
• Experience assessing and treating common mental health conditions
• Pediatric care experience
• Proven comfort delivering brief, evidence-based interventions
• Proven interest in working in a multidisciplinary, team-based care model
• Proven comfort working with diverse patient populations across mental health and medical conditions

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 $60,200 to $107,400 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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.