CHIP Program Policy Lead (Program Specialist V)

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Program Specialist V. The Program Specialist V performs advanced consultative and technical work related to the planning, development, implementation, maintenance, and oversight of CHIP, including policy development, program management, and managed care oversight. This position requires excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and strong research skills.
This position works closely with and may take direction from the Program Specialist VII Team Lead. This position works under limited supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
The ideal candidate has a passion for children’s health policy and thrives in an environment that emphasizes: teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy. This position will allow for continuous learning opportunities and the opportunity to impact the health care provided to children and adolescents in CHIP.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations; Government organization and administration; Program issues related to Medicaid and CHIP services for children and pregnant women; Principles of health and human services policy and planning; and State of Texas legislative processes.
• Skills in: Analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting complex federal and state legislation, program, policy, and operations issues; Project management policy analysis, and performing policy research; Synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated and technical information; Translating policy and technical information into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations; Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues; and Facilitating stakeholder and different workgroup meetings.
• Ability to: Develop, amend, and interpret program policies, rules, and contract requirements related to Medicaid and CHIP Services; Research, gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions based on the information available; Work with a team under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts; Exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision; Work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of personnel in government entities; Use Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel; Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to adjust communications to fit the intended audience; and Work with diverse groups of people, including stakeholders, that have a variety of opinions.
• Candidate must meet one of the following: High school diploma and at least five years of full-time work experience in a health and human services field; Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least one year of full-time work experience in a health and human services field; or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, public administration, public affairs, social work, or closely related field.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience researching and analyzing complex policy issues and communicating the analysis in clear and concise policy documents.
• Work experience in Medicaid or CHIP Services, Texas Health Steps, or publicly-funded health care programs.

Responsibilities

• Leading oversight and management of CHIP program policy
• Planning, prioritizing, coordinating, and implementing policy and program activities
• Providing subject matter expertise on CHIP managed care topics to agency staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, provider organizations, and the general public
• Responding to stakeholder inquiries and resolving challenges
• Conducting research and analyzing data
• Analyzing and developing statutes, regulations, rules, contract requirements, policies, and proposed legislation
• Coordinating and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensuring compliance with CHIP requirements
• Participating in and facilitating meetings with stakeholders, including managed care organizations
• Preparing high quality written reports, correspondence, and other documents
• Collaborates with other areas of MCS and HHSC to plan, develop, implement, monitor, interpret and evaluate Medicaid and CHIP programs, policies, initiatives, MCO contract requirements, business rules, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan. Evaluates MCO and provider compliance with program policies and procedures, contract requirements, statutes, and rules. Provides subject matter expertise and technical assistance related to CHIP as needed.
• Plans, monitors, and evaluates MCS implementation of state legislation, federal legislation, and federal rules. Analyzes data, state legislation, federal legislation, and federal rules to evaluate its impact to MCS and stakeholders, including MCOs, service providers, and members.
• Prepares high quality written documents such as project updates, reports, PowerPoint presentations, communications to stakeholders and contractors, executive memos, policy and project summaries, legislative reports, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan amendments. Coordinates the development and publication of public-facing educational materials on the CHIP program.
• Establishes, facilitates, and participates in relevant workgroups and committees, including inter-agency workgroups and committees. Coordinates and provides requested training to internal staff and external entities.
• Coordinates with and speaks to internal and external stakeholders. Arranges and facilitates meetings. Responds to internal and external inquiries. Coordinates resolution of and response to CHIP complaints, identifies trends and emerging issues, and recommends policy changes.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.
• HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments.
• Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth and career advancement.
• Being part of a team that impacts the lives of millions of Texans that depend on Texas Medicaid and CHIP throughout Texas.
• Being on the ground level of healthcare policy development and implementation, including the opportunity to work closely with stakeholders such as federal partners, providers, advocates, managed care organizations, and other healthcare contractors.
• Engagement with the Texas legislative process, including the opportunity to analyze and inform legislators of potential impact of proposed bills.
• The opportunity to learn and engage with multiple domains of the healthcare delivery system, including managed care, fee-for-service, federal-state Medicaid partnerships and other activities related to the administration of the Medicaid program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level