Mental Health Program Specialist VI

Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Peer Support and Recovery Services Program Director, the Program Specialist VI performs consultative and technical tasks related to the development and implementation of HHSC agency mental health focused activities and services that support people with lived experience. The primary focus is to provide technical assistance and guidance to Local Mental/Behavioral health (LMHA/BHA) authorities around mental health support and integration. Including providing guidance regarding Medicaid billing and program implementation. The Program Specialist VI is part of the Peer Support and Recovery Services Programs team, in the Substance Use Programs Planning and Policy Unit. The Peer Support and Recovery team is a group of individuals that have subject matter expertise in peer and family support and recovery-oriented services. The PSVI will help in the following program areas:

• Peer workforce development
• Mental health technical assistance for peer support services.

• Peer Respite programs
• Liaison efforts with Medicaid and with other agencies who provide peer services

The team interfaces with external partners to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves state health and human services issues, specifically services that impact mental. The Program Specialist VI works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The PSVI will focus on providing technical assistance on mental health services across the state. Reviews proposed federal/state statutes and regulations that impact HHS agencies and provides consultation and guidance to ensure compliance. Implements initiatives and projects across agency and HHS and with external partners that support HHS agencies in achieving their goals and objectives.

Provides highly advanced planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to achieve HHSC priorities, policy development and coordination. Works across HHS and in coordination with HHSC divisions, across HHS and external partners to develop policies and coordinate implementation, consultation. Represents the Peer and Recovery Services Director as requested at meetings and hearings. Initiates, develops, and ensures the coordination of briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making. Responds to legislative correspondence and requests ensuring coordination with appropriate staff. Meets with fiscal and budget staff to provide guidance and input in assessing the fiscal impact of proposed policy changes. Represents HHSC on external Councils, Committees, or workgroups.


 

Essential Job Function (EJFs):

EJF 1. (40%)
Oversees the processes to provide assistance, advice and direction to the health and human services agencies to ensure policies, procedures and processes are in compliance with HHSC guidance and legal mandates as they occur. Represents the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in coordinating the development and implementation of HHSC agency activities and functions that improve and enhance collaboration and partnerships between HHSC and external partners such as, Texas academic institutions, medical institutions, professional licensing board boards such as the social work and professional counseling, non-HHS state agencies, and county and local agencies. Interfaces with external partners to coordinate policy development and analysis that involves state health and human services issues pertaining to peer services. Escalates issues to management as appropriate for decision making and or resolution.

EJF 2. (25%)
Assists the Director in reviewing changes in legislation affecting the health and human services agencies and coordinates with budget and fiscal departments to determine the impact on agencies. Implements initiatives and projects with external partners that support HHS agencies in achieving their goals and objectives. Provides complex executive and managerial planning, implementation and evaluation of strategies to achieve HHSC priorities, policy development and coordination.

EFJ 3. (20%)
Works on cross agency and HHS projects as assigned by the Mental Health Director of Peer and Recovery Services related to behavioral health and intellectual disabilities. Reviews proposed federal/state statutes and federal/state regulations that impacts HHS agencies and provides consultation and guidance to ensure compliance. Initiates, develops and ensures the coordination of briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses and memorandums for executive management review and decision-making.

EFJ 4. (10%)
Serves on advisory boards as requested. Attends council or committee meetings as needed. Responds to legislative correspondence and requests ensuring coordination with appropriate staff. Represents HHSC on external Councils, Committees or workgroups. Prepares updates to legislative leadership, executive management.

EFJ. 5 (5%)
Other duties as assigned.
 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Mental Health Peer Specialist certification, Recovery Support Peer Specialist certification, Family Partner certification or Peer Support Supervisor certification from the Texas Certification Board  

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF: Peer support and recovery service delivery system in Texas including best practices, evidence-based practices, and fidelity. Strong understanding of the Texas Resilience and Recovery Model as outlined in the Utilization Management Guidelines. Understanding of Medicaid programs in Texas. Local, state, and federal laws applicable to behavioral health services. Principles of health and human services policy and planning. Knowledge of the legislative process.

SKILLS IN: Effective verbal communication and public speaking, exceptional writing skills, data analysis, data reporting, and qualitative interpretation of complex policy issues. Effective facilitation of technical assistance and support to program services staff and contractors. Must comprehend complex issues and prioritize activities to meet strict deadlines, identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation. Skill in developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems. Skill in developing, writing and editing executive documents and briefings.

ABILITY TO: Communicate effectively orally and in writing. Gather, assemble, and correlate and analyze facts. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, perform effectively and produce results. Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with external and internal partners and work cooperatively in a team environment, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various level personnel in governmental entities and programs. Develop complex, detailed implementation plans; develop products to support the implementation of evidence-based practices; develop materials for training and events; lead cross functional work groups; support contracts related to behavioral health services; develop statewide rules for behavioral health policy; ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse professionals and stakeholders.
 

Initial Screening Criteria:

Must have Mental Health Peer Specialist certification, Recovery Support Peer Specialist certification, Family Partner certification or Peer Support Supervisor certification from the Texas Certification Board
Must pass screening assessment  

Additional Information:

Applicant will be required to complete an in-basket exercise at the conclusion of the oral interview.