Program Specialist V - Critical Incident Specialist

Location: Austin, TX

About the role

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Behavioral Health Medicaid Programs (BHMP) unit seeks a highly qualified candidate for the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver Critical Incident Reporting (CIR) Subject Matter Expert (SME), or Program Specialist V, position. BHMP is driven by the program's mission and vision to deliver quality, cost-effective services to Texans.

The Program Specialist V works under the general direction of the YES Waiver Director or designee with considerable latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment. The specialist functions as part of a team specifically designated to work on oversight and management of the YES Waiver for youth with serious emotional disturbances. The YES Waiver program provides an array of services appropriate to each person's needs to enable them to live and experience a successful life in their community. Services are designed to minimize the risk of out-of-home placement.

The Program Specialist V will perform complex consultative services and technical assistance work involving community-based providers, including providing high-level technical assistance and training to YES Waiver service providers for critical incident reporting, restrictive interventions, and abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE).

Responsibilities

• Provides complex consultative services and technical assistance to plan, implement, and monitor mental health program services. Works closely with community-based providers and local mental health authorities. (15%)
• Develops policies and procedures related to implementation and monitoring of program services. Ensures that providers receive training on new policies and procedures, and that periodic monitoring takes place. (15%)
• Receives and tracks critical incidents and conducts trend analysis to inform program improvement efforts. Participates in quality monitoring programs to ensure that identified problems are acted upon and resolved promptly. Works with team members to determine when course corrections are required when a program or program provider is not achieving goals or objectives. (40%)
• Participates in internal and external work groups and task forces, representing the agency. Provides subject matter expertise on assigned topics and informs decision-making by ensuring proposal documents and communications are well-researched, accurate, and relevant to current priorities. (10%)
• Other duties as assigned. (10%)

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human services, business administration, public health, public affairs, public policy, or a related field.
• Experience with Medicaid programs, data tracking using Excel, and experience with mental health programs.

Skills

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area and of agency policies, procedures, and standards.
• Knowledge of the Texas public mental health system and of HHSC Texas Resilience and Recovery (TRR) program.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to long-term care and Medicaid home and community-based programs.
• Knowledge of Medicaid rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and skills.
• Knowledge of differing cultures/ethnic groups and values.
• Knowledge of Texas laws relating to child protective services.
• Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
• Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
• Skill in promoting data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment, oversee/manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret policies and procedures.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment.
• Ability to analyze data for completeness and accuracy and resolve issues promptly.
• Ability to interact with multiple, diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to maintain regular work hours.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts to interpret and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to balance team and individual responsibilities.
• Ability to exercise judgment and work independently with moderate direction.

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.

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83 per month.

Schedule

• Shift: Day
• Full-time
• Eligible for telework
• Travel: Up to 25%