Priority Services Specialist (Closes 6/7/2024)

Description

We are seeking a Priority Services Specialist who will be responsible for activities related to the implementation of the Administrative Entity Agreement with the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The incumbent will be primarily responsible for the required planning activities for waiting list management, waiver enrollment and service authorization.  Duties will also include ongoing quality reviews of system processes during waiver enrollment and tracking of state funded initiatives and certification.  Incumbent in the Priority Services Unit must be conversant with and trained in all functions, as the specific client focus will vary.

Additional responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with activities associated with managing the waiting list.
• Assisting with planning activities related to critical activities within the unit such as Wavier Capacity Management, Initiative Planning and Authorization of Services.
• Providing resource information and support to Service Coordination Units/Families/Individuals and assisting Individual Support Teams with:
  • Identifying assessed needs of individuals.
  • Identifying opportunities to utilize Community of Practice Lifecourse Tools to assist individuals, families and teams.
  • Incorporating all necessary information into the ISP.
  • Identifying potential providers to deliver services that support assessed service needs.
  • Assisting with adding sites and services in Provider Reimbursement and Operations Management Information System in electronic format (PROMISe) and Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS).
  • Following processes set forth by ODP (variances, program capacity, rate exceptions, etc.).
• Understanding and utilizing Community of Practice Lifecourse Tools as a means of planning and technical assistance:
  • Utilizing knowledge of existing resources and assisting in locating newly available resources.
• Assisting with updates related to spreadsheets/databases for tracking purposes including:
  • ISP alert spreadsheet
  • Planning lists
  • Intensive needs planning
  • Vacancy management
  • Individual utilization
• Assisting with HCSIS/Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Management through regular review of data and reports.
• Completing closures for individuals that are related to waiver capacity.
• Updating information in HCSIS, as needed.
• Collaborating with other internal teams (Fiscal, Service Authorization, Quality Management and Monitoring) in the sharing and processing of information.
• Attending regularly scheduled meetings concerning the overall program operations of the Priority Planning Team.
• Completing system reviews of high priority individuals to ensure data integrity. Reviews will include:
  • PUNS, ISP, Service Notes, Incident Management, Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q), Risk Analysis, SC Monitoring and any other information as necessary.
• Working with stakeholders in an effort to resolve issues such as addressing inconsistencies with system information, individuals identified incorrectly, following proper processes and policy.
  • Stakeholders could include:
    • Supports Coordinator/Support Coordinator Supervisor
    • Families
    • Providers
    • Individuals
    • DHS Internal Partners (Fiscal, Financial, Planning)
    • Office of Developmental Programs
  • Ensuring that State and Federal standards and policies are followed when implementing State and Federal Initiatives:
    • Wavier Eligibility/Pre-Admission meeting process
    • Certification process
    • Provider choice/transition
    • Service approval and authorization
      • Initiatives could include:
        • Non-Traditional Group Home/Lifesharing
        • Group Home
        • Out of School/Employment
        • State Center/State Hospital/State Mandated litigations
        • Multi-System/Children’s
        • Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF)/ID
      • Ensuring implementation of Certification requirements as outlined in the Approved Pennsylvania State ID Waivers.
      • Implementing countywide policies and procedures established for the unit.
      • Participating in all required state and county trainings.
      • Attending meetings as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, community agencies, providers, project partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports and set priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent knowledge of MH/ID service delivery and systems theory, including provider delivery systems.
• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and Internet research methods.

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in social work or related field, plus 1 year of previous experience working with families in the field of intellectual disability. Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required to navigate in the community for work-related assignments.

Salary range: $40,000-$45,000

If hired for a position, candidates would work for Allegheny County, Department of Human Services and be employed by Diversified Care Management.

About Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS)

In Allegheny County, we appreciate people who think big, act boldly, and care about making a difference.  You don’t have to be from here to feel at home, or to make your mark.  With only 1.3 million people in the County, it’s small enough for motivated people to get things done.  Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is a perfect place to get things done that directly affect people in need of a positive and lasting way.  We help children grow up safer and healthier, older adults remain able to live independently, and neighborhoods to thrive.  Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of people in Allegheny County.

DHS is the largest agency in Allegheny County government, with a budget of over $1 billion. DHS serves more than 200,000 people a year through services that include: Protecting children and youth from abuse and neglect and preventing future occurrences of maltreatment; improving child wellness through family support, home visiting, early intervention and in-home services; providing treatment for behavioral health issues such as substance use disorders and mental illness; managing the care of adults with intellectual disabilities; preventing unnecessary nursing home stays; and services that prevent homelessness and provide shelter and housing for families and individuals.

Why DHS?

• It is innovative. Most recently, the national attention and awards we’ve gotten are for how DHS integrates data and uses them to improve the safety and well-being of children through tools that support front-line staff in making decisions (using predictive analytics).
• DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. Our director has made it his top priority that DHS is “the kind of place where a diverse group of talented people want to come, grow, and do their best work.”  This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS. 
• It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people. 

You can make a big impact here.  We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country.  But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make lives better.

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D

Qualifications

Education

Required - Bachelor or better in Social Work or related field.

Experience

Required - 1 year: Previous experience working with families in the field of intellectual disability