Description

General Statement of Duties

This position coordinates a community-wide, web-based referral system called CONNECT. The position also conducts a variety of specialized billing on behalf of the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department

This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City-County of Butte-Silver Bow and the Federation of Butte-Silver Bow Public Employees, Local no. 4372, MFPE Clerks.

https://www.co.silverbow.mt.us/2018/Union-Contracts

Distinguishing Features of the class

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  Administers community-wide, web-based referral system called CONNECT.
• Recruits community agencies to use the referral system.
• Facilitates change management discussions for successful adoption of the referral system.
• Programs new agencies and users into the system.
• Assists agencies to develop unique referral forms.
• Provides orientation, training and technical assistance to system users.
• Monitors data within the system to minimize duplication and provides reminders to users when referrals are not accepted and assigned.
• Makes changes to the referral system in response to evolving community and user needs.
• Coordinates changes to the referral system with statewide user team and software programs.
• Creates reports and provides information about referral outcomes to agencies.
• Conducts specialized billing related to Targeted Case Management (TCM) for high-risk pregnant women and children with special healthcare needs.
• Conducts specialized billing related to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) for nutrition services.
• Conducts specialized billing related to the Children with Special Healthcare Needs Financial Assistance Program for enabling services.
• Conducts specialized billing related to breastfeeding/lactation support services.
• Has knowledge of the core functions and essential services of public health, public health principles and disease processes.
• Plans, develops and coordinates the execution of program policy, procedures and operations, monitors compliance with Butte-Silver Bow policies, procedures, regulations, and appropriate laws.
• Serves on Health Department committees as requested.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and Webinars, as requested and authorized.
• Copies, faxes, prints, scans.
• Demonstrates basic mathematical calculations.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communications.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently and in teams.
• Has knowledge of emergency preparedness, at home, work and in the community.
• Has knowledge of incident command structure and its use.
• Performs other duties as assigned, and related work as required.

Duties/Responsibilities

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

Under general supervision and/or as part of various work groups and teams, the CONNECT Health Specialist performs the following functions within the overarching framework of the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department’s provision of the core functions and essential services of public health.

Public Health Sciences

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  Provides specialized and/or technical department- and program-specific information that requires limited interpretation of established policies, procedures and other relevant sources to internal and/or external customers over the telephone, in writing and/or in person.
• Schedules, registers, checks in and checks out clients.
• Establishes, maintains, codes, modifies, tracks and/or retrieves information and compiles data that may require information searches through files, contracts, records or computer files, including spreadsheets and/or customized database applications; enters, obtains and/or verifies information and makes sure the appropriate disposition of information follows established, clearly defined methods and guidelines.
• Has discussion with internal and/or external customers to establish program-specific documentation and/or identify services needed.
• Assists and/or orients co-workers, as assigned and consistent with job duties.
• May modify and update desk procedures that relate to assigned work.
• May attend and take minutes at meetings.
• May schedule meetings and maintain calendars for senior leaders, program managers and/or organizational units/programs.

Community Dimensions of Practice

• Gathers, organizes and provides public health information and data with individuals, community groups, other agencies, internal customers and the general public about physical, behavioral, environmental, social, economic and other issues affecting the public’s health.
• Prepares public health documents and reports.

Analysis and Assessment

• Collaborates in the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department’s community health assessment and health improvement planning and intervention activities as needed. Collects samples, conducts field tests, collects and analyzes environmental public health data, interprets results and makes recommendations for corrective action(s).

Leadership and Systems Thinking

• With supervision, manages projects that support public health interventions.
• Adheres to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards relevant to job duties, such as exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

Policy Development and Program Planning

• Researches and summarizes specialized or technical information from varied sources.
• Provides administrative and technical support to department activities related to development and implementation of community health assessment, planning, program and policy development, and implementation activities.
• Adheres to ethical principles and HIPAA regulations in the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.
• Maintains, updates, and uses computerized data management systems and uses related information to improve program operations.
• Collaborates in the development of and provides technical and administrative support to departmental quality improvement, performance management and evaluation activities.

Communication and Cultural Competency

• Answers telephones, screens calls, responds to inquiries and/or refers callers to appropriate agencies or departments/divisions.
• Under general supervision, composes, drafts, types and/or word-processes, proofreads and edits documents, contracts and/or correspondence to ensure these conform to the appropriate use of language and established procedures.
• Process mails and emails by attaching related correspondence or information before forwarding, responding to mail when appropriate, responding to mail that can be handled personally, identifying priority and/or time-sensitive matters, and maintaining security and confidentiality.
• Uses appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with people of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
• Adheres to ethical principles and Butte-Silver Bow Health Department policy in the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.

Financial Planning and Management

• With supervision, performs administrative and technical activities related to department and/or program purchasing, according to departmental policies and procedures.

Other

• Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with job classification and training provided, in response to threats to the public’s health.
• Participates in department and community emergency response training and drills in support of disaster preparedness consistent with job classification.
• This position is responsible for using quality improvement (QI) and performance management (PM) processes and/or techniques to improve the effectiveness of the respective public health program. This includes, but is not limited to, creating, implementing, and evaluating performance standards and identifying, implementing, and assessing program quality improvement processes.
• Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued.
• Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.

Behavior Expectations

• Treats others with courtesy and respect in all interactions.
• Responds with flexibility to changing needs.
• Manages multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Supports and promotes the department’s mission, vision and core values.
• Promotes team and organizational learning.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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  Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to create and implement the CONNECT referral system to comply with program goals.
• Ability to organize resources and establish priorities.
• Ability to use common office machines, including computers and software programs and video conferencing.
• Ability to evaluate programs according to prescribed standards.
• Ability to ensure compliance with federal and state confidentiality regulations.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, and leadership and staff from partnering agencies.
• Enters information necessary for insurance claims, such as patient, insurance ID, diagnosis and treatment codes and modifiers, and provider information. Insures claim information is complete and accurate.
• Submits insurance claims to clearinghouse or individual insurance companies electronically or via paper.
• Answers patient questions on patient responsible portions, copays, deductibles, write-offs, etc. Resolves patient complaints or explains why certain services are not covered.
• Follows up with insurance companies on unpaid or rejected claims. Resolves issue and re-submits claims.
• Prepares appeal letters to insurance carriers when not in agreement with claim denial. Collects necessary information to accompany appeal.
• Posts insurance and patient payments using medical billing software.
• For patients with coverage by more than one insurer, prepares and submits secondary claims upon processing by primary insurer.
• Follows HIPAA guidelines in handling patient information.
• May periodically create insurance or patient aging reports using billing software. These reports are used to identify unpaid insurance claims or patient accounts.
• Understands managed care authorizations and limits to coverage such as the number of visits. This is encountered often when billing for specialties.
• May have to verify patient benefits eligibility and coverage.
• Ability to look up ICD diagnosis and CPT treatment codes from online service or using traditional coding references.
• Knowledge of the core functions and essential services of public health.
• Comprehensive knowledge of department programs, polices and operations as applied to the work performed.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, methods and techniques in area of specialty.
• Comprehensive knowledge and skills to use a personal computer and related software applications.
• Extensive organizing and coordinating skills.
• Extensive record maintenance skills.
• Extensive program planning and implementation skills.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ability to handle confidential employee and administrative information with tact and discretion.
• Ability to analyze, develop, establish and maintain efficient office work flow and administrative processes.
• Ability to develop specialized data tracking management methods for Health Department reporting.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Ability to independently solve problems within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisory personnel, other Health Department employees, Butte-Silver Bow employees, departments, community groups, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain records of considerable complexity and to prepare clear and concise written reports from such records.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions.

Working conditions while performing essential functions:

• General office setting in Health Department facility, as well as occasionally in community sites.
• Work performed in the community is sometimes subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions, such as snow/ice, cold, heat, noise, wetness/humidity, vibration, sudden temperature changes, and poor illumination at the job site or due to travel on the job.
• Travel to and from field locations may subject worker to increased risk of driving hazards.
• Community locations may subject worker to communicable disease, insects and other disease vectors, toxins, hazardous materials, chemicals and animals.
• In all settings, employees in this classification may occasionally need to relate to members of the public who exhibit challenging, atypical or hostile behaviors and/or communication.

Equipment used to perform essential functions:

• Including, but not limited to, computer, fax, copier, multi-line telephone and personal or county vehicle.

Reports to:

• Health Department Operations Director.

Directs work of:

• None

Blood-borne Pathogen Risk Code: None X Low ___ Medium ___ High ___

Acceptable Experience and Training

• The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in communications, business management, administration or healthcare informatics or related and one (1) year of experience working with resource and referral systems, teaching at the post-secondary level, or related.
• Valid Montana driver’s license, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200 and 700 certification within four (4) months of employment.

Required Special Qualifications

• Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment, according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance: “2.08.010 Residence during employment. From and after October 1, 1979, all employees of the local government of Butte-Silver Bow shall be bona fide residents within the boundaries of Butte-Silver Bow during the period of their employment by the government of Butte-Silver Bow. (Ord. 85 § 1, 1979).”

Essential Physical Abilities

Due to the need for all Health Department personnel to respond to public health emergencies, the employee must be assessed for ability to meet the physical demands of performing the following activities:

• Must be able to be fitted and wear NIOSH 95 mask.
• Engage in the following movements: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, grasping, feeling and writing and repetitive motions.
• Exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Hearing ability sufficient enough to communicate with others effectively in person and over the telephone.
• Visual ability must be sufficient enough to read typewritten documents, computer screen and drive a vehicle.
• If unable to demonstrate these abilities based upon a standardized, objective assessment performed by an occupational health professional, all reasonable accommodations will be made, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and any other applicable federal and Montana law.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Adaptability/Flexibility: Ability to meet changing conditions with ease and to learn new duties, methods and procedures.
• Appearance: Maintains neatness, appropriateness of dress and hygiene per dress code.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Ability to be on time for work and attend mandatory meetings/in-services.
• Communication: Ability to convey ideas and information in both oral and written forms; ability to provide information on a timely basis that is concise and easily understood by others; legibility and accuracy of documentation.
• Cooperation: Attitude toward work and the spirit in which assignments are accepted, inter-disciplinary team functioning, ability to work with others of same or different discipline, and contributions as a team player.
• Courtesy: Ability to cooperate with others to get the job done; courtesy toward clients, visitors, co-workers and peers.
• Dependability/Accountability: Degree to which employee accepts responsibility for defined duties; participates in planning for coverage during absences and follows through with agreed-upon tasks and goals within agreed-upon time frames.
• Energy: Enthusiasm for work, degree of commitment to organization philosophy.
• Initiative: Ability to be self-starter, demonstrates creativity and offers constructive suggestions/solutions for problem-solving, and performs well independently.
• Judgment: The degree to which the proper number of facts, commensurate with the problem, is gathered before a decision is made, ability to use discretion and reasoning in problem-solving, appropriateness of decisions.
• Planning/Organization: Ability to identify issues, set priorities, act efficiently and use resources.
• Professionalism: Ability to maintain stable performance and behavior when faced with opposition, pressure and/or stressful conditions; ability to demonstrate a non-judgmental attitude and acceptance of patients whose moral, religious or cultural beliefs differ from one’s own; adherence to agency policies and procedures; can independently resolve interpersonal conflicts and uses proper chain of command; exhibits discretion and maintains patient confidentiality while discussing patient information only with those directly involved with the patient’s care and welfare.
• Productivity: Ability to meet organization’s expectations regarding performance in job area; ability to manage time efficiently.
• Technical Skills: Maintains and applies the knowledge and technical skills necessary to fulfill the position requirements per skills” inventory self-assessment and professional staff competence assessment (if applicable).
• Use of Time: Uses work time appropriately for the job; not for personal business.

The City-County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, or veteran status.

The job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities. Tasks and duties of the employee may differ from those outlined above.

This position offers benefits according to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.