Health & Human Services Comm
Program Specialist V
Health & Human Services Comm, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Job Description:Program Specialist V: STAR+PLUS Senior Policy Analyst
The Program Policy team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking a Program Specialist V who will serve as the STAR+PLUS Senior Policy Analyst. STAR+PLUS is a Medicaid managed care program serving adults with disabilities and individuals over age 65.
This position works on managed care initiatives, programs, and topical areas for the STAR+PLUS, including STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Nursing Facility services. The selected applicant will have an instrumental role in implementing policy to improve STAR+PLUS services across the state and will work closely with project stakeholders and other agency partners in that process. The opportunity for exposure to the inner workings of healthcare policy cannot be understated. Nursing facility services are one of the largest categories of Medicaid spending across the United States, and Medicaid is the primary payer for these services. STAR+PLUS HCBS are long-term services and supports that help adults live at home who would otherwise need to be in a nursing facility. This position will work collaboratively as part of a team and be a lead subject matter expert for these critical services.
Essential Job Functions:(25%) Conducts research, analysis, and evaluation of complex program and policy issues and initiatives related to STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS HCBS, and Nursing Facility services.
(20%) Develops and revises Medicaid governing documents, including waivers, state plan amendments, administrative rules, policies, and contract requirements.
(10%) Develops or implements projects or special initiatives related to Texas Medicaid.
(15%) Participates as a subject matter expert in assigned Medicaid programs or topical areas.
(15%) Coordinates with and speaks to internal and external stakeholders as a subject matter expert on assigned Medicaid programs or topical areas.
(15%) Develops high-quality written documents such as project updates, policy and project summaries, legislative and other reports, executive memos, bill analyses, and communications to stakeholders and contractors.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:Knowledge of:- Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations;- Government organization and administration;- Program issues related to Medicaid services for children with disabilities;- Principles of health and human services policy and planning; and- State of Texas legislative processes.
Skill in:- Analyzing, and 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 it easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations;- Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues;- Communicating effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to adjust communications to fit the intended audience; 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;- Implement creative and workable solutions to complex problems;- Navigate complex and dynamic systems and organizations.- Exercise sound judgment with and work independently with limited direction;- Work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment;- Work cooperatively as a team member;- Establish and maintain effective working relationships;- Work with internal and external stakeholders that have a variety of opinions; and- Use Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:None
Initial Selection Criteria: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 and at least one year of full-time work experience in a health and human services field.
Performance on assessment.
Preferred:- Experience or education in a field related to nursing facilities or HCBS.- Experience developing advanced deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products.
Additional Information:Additional information about the programs this position supports can be found in the 2022 edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/texas-medicaid-chip-reference-guide-14th-edition.pdf .
Teleworking opportunities are available, contingent on performance.
State of Texas employees participate in outstanding benefits:- Excellent health benefits;- Lifetime monthly retirement annuity; and- Generous leave benefits.
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.
Additional benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:- 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 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.
The final salary offer is dependent on factors such as Human Resources policies and available budget.
MOS Code:There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the responsibilities, and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet qualifications for this position.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS
The Program Policy team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking a Program Specialist V who will serve as the STAR+PLUS Senior Policy Analyst. STAR+PLUS is a Medicaid managed care program serving adults with disabilities and individuals over age 65.
This position works on managed care initiatives, programs, and topical areas for the STAR+PLUS, including STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Nursing Facility services. The selected applicant will have an instrumental role in implementing policy to improve STAR+PLUS services across the state and will work closely with project stakeholders and other agency partners in that process. The opportunity for exposure to the inner workings of healthcare policy cannot be understated. Nursing facility services are one of the largest categories of Medicaid spending across the United States, and Medicaid is the primary payer for these services. STAR+PLUS HCBS are long-term services and supports that help adults live at home who would otherwise need to be in a nursing facility. This position will work collaboratively as part of a team and be a lead subject matter expert for these critical services.
Essential Job Functions:(25%) Conducts research, analysis, and evaluation of complex program and policy issues and initiatives related to STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS HCBS, and Nursing Facility services.
(20%) Develops and revises Medicaid governing documents, including waivers, state plan amendments, administrative rules, policies, and contract requirements.
(10%) Develops or implements projects or special initiatives related to Texas Medicaid.
(15%) Participates as a subject matter expert in assigned Medicaid programs or topical areas.
(15%) Coordinates with and speaks to internal and external stakeholders as a subject matter expert on assigned Medicaid programs or topical areas.
(15%) Develops high-quality written documents such as project updates, policy and project summaries, legislative and other reports, executive memos, bill analyses, and communications to stakeholders and contractors.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:Knowledge of:- Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations;- Government organization and administration;- Program issues related to Medicaid services for children with disabilities;- Principles of health and human services policy and planning; and- State of Texas legislative processes.
Skill in:- Analyzing, and 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 it easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations;- Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues;- Communicating effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to adjust communications to fit the intended audience; 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;- Implement creative and workable solutions to complex problems;- Navigate complex and dynamic systems and organizations.- Exercise sound judgment with and work independently with limited direction;- Work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment;- Work cooperatively as a team member;- Establish and maintain effective working relationships;- Work with internal and external stakeholders that have a variety of opinions; and- Use Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:None
Initial Selection Criteria: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 and at least one year of full-time work experience in a health and human services field.
Performance on assessment.
Preferred:- Experience or education in a field related to nursing facilities or HCBS.- Experience developing advanced deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products.
Additional Information:Additional information about the programs this position supports can be found in the 2022 edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/texas-medicaid-chip-reference-guide-14th-edition.pdf .
Teleworking opportunities are available, contingent on performance.
State of Texas employees participate in outstanding benefits:- Excellent health benefits;- Lifetime monthly retirement annuity; and- Generous leave benefits.
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.
Additional benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:- 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 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.
The final salary offer is dependent on factors such as Human Resources policies and available budget.
MOS Code:There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the responsibilities, and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet qualifications for this position.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS