School-Based Services Program Lead Advisor

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Nacogdoches, TX

1d•$5,798 - $9,508•Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) division seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of School-Based Services Program Advisor/Program Specialist VII. MCS is driven by its mission to deliver quality, cost-effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by supporting school-based Medicaid services and other Medicaid medical benefit initiatives and policies. This position is selected by and reports to the Medical and Dental Benefits Policy (MDBP) Manager in the Medicaid and CHIP Services Department. The position serves as lead staff and will oversee and perform highly advanced (senior level) policy work and provide consultative and technical assistance to the medical benefits and finance team. As lead staff, the position plans, develops, and coordinates medical benefit policy specific initiatives, including but not limited to the School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program and associated benefits. In addition to SHARS, the position may also oversee and direct other medical benefit initiatives as assigned, provide oversight and mentorship to staff on the Medical Benefits Policy team, be required to leverage policy analysis, evidence-based and clinical research, engage with a variety of stakeholders, and lead or implement other varied domains of heath care policy development, outside of SHARS, dependent on team priorities. The position assists the MDBP Manager with coordinating, facilitating, managing and overseeing administrative functions and assists with the daily operations of the school-based services staff including planning, prioritizing and assigning work. The position monitors and reports on the progress of the team’s work, identifies risks and issues and provides recommendations for resolutions and improvements. The position effectively communicates and works with all levels of HHS staff, stakeholders, claims administrator contractor staff, the public and others with varying levels of Medicaid medical benefit knowledge. The position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. A key requirement of this position is the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage competing projects as well as the ability to project manage work with colleagues, providing guidance and oversight to others. The top candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills, with strength in effectively communicating with all levels of HHS staff, internal and external stakeholders, providers, and others with varied levels of Medicaid medical benefit knowledge. The position conducts research, evaluation, and analysis related to the planning, development, and implementation of the SHARS program and other Medicaid medical benefit policy initiatives. This position is a mobile worker that requires statewide travel.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree related to health policy, education policy, or another relevant teaching or social services domain.
Must have four years’ work experience in health policy, education policy or relevant clinical, teaching, or social services positions.
Must be able to travel at least 25% statewide for site visits.
Knowledge of the health and human services agencies and programs.
Knowledge of State and federal laws governing Medicaid, Special Education in public schools, and/or health and human services.
Knowledge of Project planning, evaluation, and implementation.
Knowledge of and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, word processing, presentation, and project management products.
Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex federal and state legislation.
Skill in researching, analyzing, and synthesizing medical and educational evidence, best-practices, policy, claims processing system, and program issues.
Strong skill in developing and evaluating policies and procedures, assessing risks, and making recommendations.
Strong skills in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, and write technical information in an understandable format.
Ability to work collaboratively across MCS to accomplish objectives.
Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and maintain working relationships with staff or program stakeholders.
Ability to manage several projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment and juggle competing priorities.
Ability to exercise creative problem-solving techniques in a highly complex environment and implement creative solutions to problems.
Ability to work collaboratively and adapt quickly to changing circumstances and team dynamics.
Ability to work independently and perform work with a high degree of attention to detail.
Ability to motivate staff to obtain a standard of excellence in their work and to foster an environment of continuous improvement.
Ability to formulate learning objectives, develop training objectives, and assess training needs.
Ability to exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision.

Nice To Haves

Preference may be given to candidates with a clinical license at the discretion of hiring manager.
Experience and education may be substituted for each other on a year-for-year basis, at the discretion of the hiring manager.
Two years of work experience delivering special education services (or other specially designated instruction to children with disabilities) in a school or other relevant clinical, teaching, or social service setting.
Two years of experience with medical services available to children enrolled in Medicaid and eligible to receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Responsibilities

Serves as the lead on the development and implementation of complex medical benefit initiatives and special projects, including but not limited to the SHARS program.
Advises on the clinical aspect of SHARS services, with an understanding of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) process and Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
Researches and resolves complicated and unusual Medicaid medical benefit issues and serves as the lead for medical documentation in school settings.
Acts as liaison and collaborates with other organizational and program areas within HHS and other agencies concerning the SHARS program and other initiatives managed by the unit as assigned.
Provides input and technical assistance to staff in the development and implementation of program changes and initiatives.
Works collaboratively across MCS to identify innovative and effective solutions for clients and staff.
Oversees and assists staff with the development and implementation of program options for Medicaid initiatives impacting HHS, including program analysis, options development, timelines, and fiscal impact considerations.
Assists the Manager with the daily operations of the school-based services and oversees a variety of administrative functions for specific initiatives.
Oversees prioritization, assignment, and implementation of work and reports on initiatives lead by team members.
Sets goals and objectives for school-based services staff and reviews and approves work products.
Identifies staff training needs and develops guidance to support staff development and mentorship to ensure top tier functioning of the team.
Works with and speaks to community and professional groups, other HHS programs, legislative staff, Medicaid managed care organization staff, and public stakeholders to provide information, technical assistance and identify needs and resolve issues.
Provides oral presentations and written materials, both in-person and virtually, as appropriate.
Travels across the state of Texas for presentations and site visits.
Prepares high-quality letters, memoranda, analyses, reports, presentations, agendas, and other assigned writing tasks.
Prepares written responses to public, legislative, and stakeholder inquiries and assists with bill analysis as assigned.
Writes, research, reviews, and edits policies.
Responds to questions related to medical benefits and benefit processes for policy development.
Drafts and make oral presentations on medical benefit policy process and benefit information to a variety of audiences.
Provides guidance to staff on, and assists with, interpretation of federal and state laws, codes, and administrative rules related to Medicaid medical benefits.
Oversees compliance with regulations, laws and rules as it relates to Medicaid medical benefit policy.