Remote Behavioral Health Care Manager

Job Overview

Virelia Health connects behavioral health professionals with opportunities across behavioral health care management, mental health coordination, and substance use support.

We are seeking qualified Behavioral Health Care Managers for remote opportunities supporting health plans, accountable care organizations (ACOs), value-based care groups, and behavioral health care management programs.

A Remote Behavioral Health Care Manager supports members with behavioral health needs — behavioral health assessment, care plan development, behavioral health coordination, and ongoing member support. Working alongside the member's care team, the behavioral health care manager helps members with mental health and substance use needs access care, build self-management skills, and achieve their behavioral health goals.

This is a behavioral health care management role. It's distinct from general care management — behavioral health care management focuses on mental health and substance use support rather than general care planning. It's also distinct from social work care coordination — behavioral health care management is focused on behavioral health conditions and treatment rather than social determinants of health. The role combines behavioral health assessment, care planning, behavioral health coordination, and ongoing member support.

This position is well-suited to an RN, LPN/LVN, LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LMFT, or behavioral health care management professional with behavioral health, mental health, or substance use support experience who enjoys helping members with behavioral health needs.

The specific behavioral health care management program, member population, technology platform, and scope of responsibilities will depend on the employer and assignment.

This opportunity may be suitable for professionals searching for remote behavioral health care manager jobs, behavioral health care coordinator, work-from-home behavioral health care manager, remote mental health care manager, or behavioral health case manager roles.

What You'll Do

As a Remote Behavioral Health Care Manager, you may support members across the full behavioral health care management lifecycle.

• Complete behavioral health assessments — mental health, substance use, and functional needs.
• Develop individualized behavioral health care plans in collaboration with members, caregivers, and the care team.
• Coordinate behavioral health care — therapy, psychiatry, medication management, and support services.
• Support members with mental health conditions — education, self-management support, and goal setting.
• Support members with substance use needs — treatment coordination and recovery support.
• Engage members in behavioral health care management using motivational interviewing and trauma-informed approaches.
• Monitor member progress toward behavioral health care plan goals and adjust plans as needed.
• Document all member contacts accurately in the behavioral health care management platform.
• Coordinate with the member's care team — PCP, psychiatrist, therapist, and community resources.
• Identify members with rising behavioral health risk or unmet needs and escalate to the appropriate clinical team.
• Support members in understanding their medications and treatment plans.
• Connect members with community resources — support groups, recovery programs, and social services.
• Follow crisis escalation protocols for members reporting behavioral health crises or safety concerns.
• Participate in interdisciplinary behavioral health care team meetings and case reviews.
• Protect member privacy and maintain HIPAA compliance across all behavioral health activities.

Behavioral Health Care Management Focus

Behavioral health care management programs support members with mental health and substance use needs — providing assessment, care planning, coordination, and ongoing member support. Behavioral health care managers are the members' guide through the behavioral health system.

Depending on the program, behavioral health care management may focus on:

The behavioral health care manager's role is to assess behavioral health needs, develop care plans, coordinate behavioral health care, support member self-management, and document all interactions. Clinical decisions, medication changes, and treatment decisions belong to the member's treating providers; the behavioral health care manager supports the member's behavioral health care plan and coordinates with the care team.

This structure keeps the role focused on behavioral health assessment, care planning, member engagement, documentation, and appropriate escalation.

Member Engagement & Behavioral Health Support

Behavioral health care management success depends on strong member engagement — building trust, understanding member goals, and supporting members in making progress toward better behavioral health.

You may support member engagement by:

• Building trusting relationships with members through regular outreach and follow-up.
• Using motivational interviewing to understand member goals, barriers, and readiness for change.
• Using trauma-informed approaches that respect member experiences and choices.
• Developing behavioral health care plans that reflect member priorities.
• Supporting members in understanding their behavioral health conditions in plain language.
• Supporting members in medication understanding and adherence.
• Connecting members with behavioral health providers and community resources.
• Supporting members through behavioral health crises with appropriate escalation.
• Following up consistently on behavioral health goals and member concerns.

Active listening, member empathy, and trauma-informed care are essential — behavioral health care managers are the members' guide through the behavioral health system.

Behavioral Health Care Management Workflow

A Remote Behavioral Health Care Manager may follow a structured workflow across each member's behavioral health care management journey.

Depending on the employer's protocols, you may:

Required Qualifications

• Active RN, LPN/LVN, LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LMFT, or relevant behavioral health credential in good standing in the state(s) required by the employer, or comparable behavioral health care management experience.
• Previous experience in behavioral health care management, mental health coordination, or substance use support.
• Strong behavioral health assessment, care planning, and member engagement skills.
• Comfortable with behavioral health care management platforms and virtual member outreach.
• Strong documentation and time-management skills.
• Ability to recognize situations requiring behavioral health or crisis escalation.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Reliable internet and a private workspace suitable for confidential member conversations.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience or certification in any of the following may be beneficial:

Skills & Competencies

Behavioral Health Care Management Skills

Member Engagement & Communication

Digital Health & Technology

A Typical Day

A typical day may begin by reviewing your behavioral health care management panel — checking who is due for a scheduled check-in, who has recent changes in condition, and who has missed recent outreach.

You'll connect with members by phone or video to complete behavioral health assessments, check in on care plan progress, and support members with their mental health and substance use goals.

Between member calls, you'll coordinate with behavioral health providers, psychiatry, and community resources, update behavioral health care plans, and document each member contact accurately.

You'll participate in interdisciplinary behavioral health care team meetings, escalate members with rising behavioral health risk or unmet needs, and follow up on members who haven't been reached.

The role combines behavioral health assessment, care planning, behavioral health coordination, member engagement, documentation, and appropriate escalation.

Unlike general care management, which supports members with medical conditions, behavioral health care management focuses on mental health and substance use — you're the member's guide through the behavioral health system.

Remote Work Environment

This position is designed for remote behavioral health care management.

Depending on the employer, you may work with:

Candidates should have a stable internet connection, a private workspace suitable for confidential member conversations, and comfort with multiple behavioral health and clinical systems.

Licensure & State Eligibility

Remote behavioral health care manager roles are currently in highest demand in states with strong behavioral health programs, health plan BH investment, and value-based care adoption:

Top-demand states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado.

Strong secondary markets: Alabama, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.

Licensure requirements vary by employer. Most behavioral health care manager roles require an active RN, LPN/LVN, LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LMFT, or behavioral health credential in the state(s) where members reside. Some employers support multi-state licensure or compact privileges. Others accept relevant behavioral health care management experience without a clinical license. Always confirm the specific requirements with the employer before applying.

Want to know which states accept remote healthcare roles? Read our remote healthcare licensure guide.

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers $30–$52 per hour, based on licensure (RN vs. LPN vs. LCSW vs. LPC), experience, geographic location, credentials, and assignment requirements. Remote behavioral health care manager roles typically offer predictable weekday schedules with structured member outreach and behavioral health support rhythms.

Benefits are assignment-specific and may vary depending on whether the opportunity is full-time, part-time, contract, or direct hire. Depending on the employer, benefits may include:

Why Consider Remote Behavioral Health Care Management?

Behavioral health care management is a growing area of healthcare — driven by value-based care expansion, health plan investment in behavioral health programs, and the recognition that supporting members with behavioral health needs improves outcomes and reduces avoidable utilization.

Many behavioral health professionals find behavioral health care management roles appealing because they offer:

• Meaningful member impact — you're helping members with behavioral health needs access care and achieve their goals.
• Predictable weekday schedule — steady member outreach and behavioral health support rhythms without hospital shift work.
• Behavioral health career pathway — experience translates into behavioral health care management leadership, BH program management, and value-based care roles.
• No physical demands — no bedside care, no 12-hour shifts, no overnight coverage.
• Growing employer demand — health plans, ACOs, value-based care groups, and behavioral health companies are all hiring remote behavioral health care managers.

It may be particularly suitable for RNs, LPNs, LCSWs, LPCs, and behavioral health professionals who enjoy supporting members with behavioral health needs in a technology-enabled environment.