Indigent Health Specialist

Job title:

Indigent Health Specialist

Company

Brazoria County

Job description

Description

The Indigent Health Specialist assists in the screening and eligibility determinations of individuals applying to receive healthcare and related-services from the Texas HHS County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) as administered by the Brazoria County Health Department.

Specifically, under direct supervision of the Indigent Health Coordinator and general supervision of Director of Public Health Services, the Indigent Health Specialist is responsible for applying the rules, regulations, requirements and procedures of the Texas HHS County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) in the determination of new applicant eligibility as well as the continuing eligibility of renewing clients. In addition, the Indigent Health Specialist will be committed to conducting this work in a professional, positive, courteous, and respectful manner.

Weekly work locations include the Brazoria County Health Department’s Angleton and Alvin Clinics.

Daily, punctual, in-office attendance is required from 8 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Some week-end and evening work may be required. Exceptions: The work performed outside normal business hours (evenings and/or weekends) can or may be remote work; and during a public health emergency or local disaster, remote work may or could be required.

This is an essential duty position in relation to a designated Public Health Emergency and local disasters. During public health emergencies and local disasters, this position will be required to take on additional tasks and work additional hours to meet the needs of the community as it relates to the Health Department. In the event of a public health emergency, you shall report to work if ordered to do so by either of the following officials or positions: (1) District Attorney’s Office (Civil Division), (2) County Judge/Emergency Management Coordinator, (3) Commissioners’ Court liaison or a member of Commissioners’ Court, (4) Director of Public Health Services, or (5) PHEP Program Manager.

Example of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Initiates and conducts eligibility screening for new clients and re-applying applicants per State and County guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Reviews and verifies data collected on all applications while ensuring adherence to all guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Checks TransUnion website for client assets and the (AIS) Automated Inquiry System for client’s Medicaid eligibility.
• Conducts client eligibility interviews in person and also conducts renewal interviews via telephone; and collects necessary documentation.
• Interviews applicants to determine eligibility, inquiring as to financial status, living arrangements, medical conditions, etc. and contacts various human service agencies, financial institutions, credit bureaus, landlords, etc. to verify/confirm information provided by applicants.
• Confers with representatives of other government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), private human service agencies, as well as other health care professionals to coordinate referrals of program clients for needed services.
• Consults with Indigent Health Coordinator and Director of Public Health Services in regard to handling difficult clients, problems, and appeals.
• Maintains client information in Indigent Health Care Solutions software; entering all applicant and client data, updating existing client status data and terminating clients no longer qualified for indigent program from the system.
• Maintains client information for Prescription Cards in appropriate computer system, including entering new client data, updating existing client status data, and terminating clients no longer qualified for the indigent program from the system.
• Prepares “Denial” letters for non-qualifying clients.
• Prepares “Denial After Appeals” letter for Director of Public Health’s approval and signature.
• Maintains client information for Prescription Cards in appropriate computer system, including entering new client data, updating existing client status data, and terminating clients who are no longer qualified for the indigent program from system.
• Prepares copies of the client’s eligibility letters and notarized statements for the Medication Assistance Program (MAP).
• Maintains a positive working relationship with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB.)
• Prepares and faxes Authorizations on a daily basis as requested by the Office of County Affairs at UTMB.
• Checks status of Social Security appeals and denials on pending cases.
• Ensures client confidentiality as stated in HIPPA Privacy Notice.
• Cooperates fully with Department of State Health Services survey teams.
• Notarizes paper work for clients as necessary.
• Refers clients to WIC, Medicaid or other programs when applicable.
• The Indigent Health Specialist performs the work of this role each week at two geographically separate locations: 1) BC Health Department’s Angleton Clinic and 2) BC Health Department’s Alvin Clinic.
• Attends work-related training, regional and state meetings, and participates in conferences as assigned or required.
• Performs other related duties as required and as determined by the Indigent Health Coordinator and/or the Director of Public Health.

Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position and is assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Experience and Training Guidelines:
High school diploma or equivalent; AND related experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources. Strong desire to work in a positive and client-service oriented environment. Positive attitude and professional demeanor required. Open to feedback and possesses the desire to grow and improve.

Knowledge of/Ability to quickly learn:

• Texas HHS County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) rules, regulations, requirements and procedures.
• Effective customer service strategies and techniques.
• Effective healthcare-related interviewing techniques.
• Department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.

Skills/Abilities in:

• Working positively and successfully with diverse populations in client-focused service environment.
• Clerical and administrative tasks (including strong typing and computer skills along with the ability to learn new software programs, filing, answering phones, operating a fax machine, photocopier and other modern office equipment.
• Communicating effectively, both interpersonally (orally) and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, external public agencies, vendors, contract providers, and the general public.
• Collecting and verifying various types of client information.
• Using initiative, discretion and decision making within established procedures, guidelines and rules.
• Collecting, preparing, and submitting information and data for internal and external reports.
• Performing detailed work accurately and efficiently.
• Meeting deadlines and completing assigned duties in a timely manner. Multi-tasking, combined with the strong ability to focus.
• Problem-solving.
• Conflict resolution.
• Performing various mathematical calculations.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Texas Driver’s License and reliable transportation is required.
Notary Public preferred; or a commitment to obtain a Notary Public certification with the first 6 months of employment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work of this job is typically performed in an office work environment similar to that of a traditional medical office or medical clinic environment (health department office) and also involves field work outside the office which may be noisy and which may involve biohazards. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. Exposure to communicable diseases is possible. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Supplemental Information

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
The incumbent in this job must be knowledgeable about and follow the County’s safety policies and procedures. Ask supervisor for details. Proper precautions and following road safety laws are required at all times while driving.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY
Drug/Alcohol policy applies to this job: Pre-employment drug/alcohol testing required.

Brazoria County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected class. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

Expected salary

$18.08 – 20.35 per hour

Location

Angleton, TX

Job date

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:08:06 GMT

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