MH Program Specialist 1 - HealthChoices

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected.

BE SURE YOUR APPLICATION REFLECTS YOUR ENTIRE WORK HISTORY AS YOUR RESUME IS NOT REVIEWED TO QUALIFY YOU

Please answer any supplemental questions truthfully and completely. Use the employment history section of your application to substantiate your answers to supplemental questions.

Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the minimum requirements for this position. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered for the position.

Qualified, eligible applicants will move on to the next step, an Education and Experience Review, in which points will be assigned to each applicant's education and relevant work experience provided on their application.

We encourage all applicants to share a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment on their employment application so that we are able to accurately assess their experience. Eligible candidates will be ranked on an Eligibility List based on their total score on the Education and Experience Review.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact County of Northampton Human Resources at dhsjobs@norcopa.gov or 610-829-6366.

Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

GENERAL PURPOSE
The MH Program Specialist 1 - HealthChoices position (Quality Improvement Coordinator) is an administrative position, involving specialized tasks specific to the review, analysis, evaluation, monitoring, and coordination of quality assurance/quality improvement activities of the Northampton County Behavioral HealthChoices Program (BHC), as well as assistance to the HealthChoices Coordinator regarding Reinvestment planning, program development, and program monitoring.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the HealthChoices Coordinator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position does not exercise supervision over other employees or functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Collect, review, analyze, evaluate, monitor, and coordinate all quality assurance/quality improvement activities for the BHC program in order to meet all objectives and requirements.

Identification and implementation of the BHC Program standards by which to monitor and measure the subcontracted Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations (BH-MCO) performance. This includes the identification and refinement of data elements pertinent to measurement standards necessary in the BH-MCO oversight reporting process.

Interprets regulations, policies, and procedures, which govern BHC programming and summarizes information used by the BHC program.

Assists in the identification and implementation of guidelines and operational strategies to address agency policy and program objectives to ensure quality management (quality improvement, quality assurance, continuous quality control) within the BHC program.

Participates in the assessment of BHC program needs and utilization management requirements along with providing recommendation as to problem solving strategies related to quality management issues.

Participation in the Complaint and Grievance process. This may include scheduling the hearing, facilitating or chairing the Hearing, participation as a Panel Member, preparation of the official decision letter, and any follow-up duties assigned.

Develops and prepares periodic reports for management, Community Healthcare Alliance (CHA), and the HealthChoices Advisory Board review and attends CHA and Advisory Board and may have to take minutes or chair the meetings.

Assistance to the HealthChoices Coordinator in developing programs outlined in the Reinvestment Plan. This may include development of Request for Proposals (RFP), program development with the provider/providers selected, monitoring of progress toward program start-up, preparation of reporting as well as any required updates or revisions.

Attends all QM meetings such as the QM's Regional, PEPS, PIPS, PQAC, Lehigh Capital Area BH PH and our monthly Operations meetings.

May cover attendance on complex case reviews/multi system meetings for both adults and children in the Administrators absence.

Performs other related duties as required.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Two (2) years of professional level experience in the field of mental health and a bachelor's degree; OR

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license. Must have an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicle required for County business, employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources as it relates to the field of mental health.

Knowledge of the structure, organization, and methods of public and private mental health agencies and institutions.

Knowledge of principles and methods applied to collecting, reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data.

Knowledge of federal, state and county legislation, policies and procedures related to the mental health delivery system. This includes the Department of Human Services (DHS), County MH/D&A/DP and having a familiarity with Managed Care Organizations.

Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans and operations and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private contract providers, community groups, and county and state officials and agency staff.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing.

Knowledge of Excel, Word and Power Point.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and paper shredder.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the office is moderately quiet. Employee may also work in other work environments to include, schools, businesses, public spaces, mobile outreach vehicle, and other community agencies. Work environment can range from quiet to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA EXEMPT (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)

DESIGNATION: HUMAN SERVICES

PAY GRADE: HS-39

UNION STATUS: NON-UNION