Health & Human Services Specialist

Responsible for assisting individuals work through challenges in their lives. Functions of the position includes processing applications, determining eligibility for various programs, claims processing, implementing, and processing state mandated programs, assisting the navigation and enrollment in various program, and responding to request for assistance as it relates to health & human services. This position consists of extensive contact with the public, state, non-profit and for-profit personnel. Work also includes research, gathering and evaluating information documents, requesting additional information and documentation, interviewing skills, creative thinking, and advocating for assistance based on information you have obtained. 

• Interviews clients and determine eligibility for a variety of federal state and local programs including Health Care Responsibility Act (HCRA), Indigent Burial, the Affordable Care Act, and other Social Service Programs according to various policies and guidelines. 
• Conduct assessments of homeless client, establish case plan and provide case management activities to sustain housing. Assist with homeless certification documents as appropriate. 
• Talk to client’s employers, landlords, pharmacies, physicians, and others as needed to verify information, provide further assistance and to dissemination information upon client’s request. 
• Coordinate with Next of Kins, area funeral homes, medical examiner’s office, Hernando County Sheriff’s office, Florida Highway Patrol, Regional VA Office, social security office, Health Departments, and attorneys for burial or cremation of indigent or unclaimed bodies found in Hernando County. 
• Coordinate with Department of Children and Families and University of Florida Child Protection Team to verify needed information on child abuse and neglect cases. 
• Coordinate and process information regarding youth secure detention days and status with Department of Juvenile Justice. 
• Coordinate with Hernando County Jails, local hospitals, insurance providers and third-party billing agencies, for the processing of medical claims of arrested residents.
• Processing of documents by electronic and paper client files ensuring HIPAA compliance. Reviews, gathers, information, and processes applications, claims, payments, and reports for all state mandated programs, grants, and local programs. 
• Research programs of assistance to meet the needs of client from private companies, civic organizations, community groups, out of county programs, and out of state resources when county, local non-profit, federal, and state programs have been exhausted. 
• Seek alternative avenues of assistance, discuss accountability and ways to self-resolve issues. 
• Enroll uninsured and underinsured residents into Prescription Assistance Programs, provide discount prescription card, reimbursement programs, and encourage price comparisons. Assist clients with applications for Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), Affordable Care Act, and other programs. 
• Conducts public record checks, independent desk top reviews, background investigations to verify and confirm information for available assistance.
• Provide county residents with referrals to internal and external agencies as appropriate and actively advocate and coordinate on behalf of clients for services and assistance as appropriate. 
• Gathers verification to determines eligibility and processes necessary forms and documents for direct services provided through the department. 
• Records all contacts, requests for assistance, dispositions, and referral directly in the system. 
• Provides exceptional customer assistance via all means of communication.
•  Establish and maintain working relationships with community partners, contractors, consultants, and all organizational employees. 
• Assist with grant implementation, reporting, monitoring and oversight.
• Performs basic administrative duties and performs related duties as assigned.

Emergency Response
County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description.

Minimum Requirements

Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

• Required graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in social work, human services or a closely related social science field.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in health & human services and/or social services field. Knowledge of the principles and practices of health management, social work, and human services programs

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by current insurance carrier. 
• Must be able to obtain and maintain access to all state mandated programs, successfully pass and maintain all certifications and trainings for all programs of the departmentsto include NIMS100, 200 and 700.

Required Competencies

• Effective listening. Experienced in motivational and information gathering interviewing skills. 
• Ability to operate in a politically complex environment with superior interpersonal skills.
• High level of emotional intelligence. Sensitivity, self-awareness, and empathy for other in diverse populations, environments, social-economic communities. 
• Exceptional customer service and a thorough understanding of confidentiality and HIPAA, Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act. 
• Ability to interact professionally with diverse environments, populations, line and department staff. Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with applicants and their relatives, other interested parties, local agencies and/or providers, and your department team.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and County laws, rules and regulations relating to the processing of applications and claims for local and state mandated programs and their privacy requirements. 
• Knowledge of federal, state, for profit and not for profit resources and programs to address human service needs and the ability to assistance residents in gaining access or information to resources. 
• Ability to research information, analyze facts, think critically and creatively. 
• High level communication skills, especially verbally. Ability to remain composed and utilize de-escalation techniques, and patience as needed. 
• Ability to exercise good judgment in analyzing situations and making responsible decisions. 
• Strong computer skills necessary with the ability to prepare comprehensive reports both verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to multitask, maintain records, meet numerous deadlines, and work independently for long periods with minimal supervision

Special Requirements

• This position is subject to the Hepatis B Vaccine and other vaccinations as necessary.

Physical Demands

• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (15lbs. To 25 lbs.), walking, sitting, standing, kneeling, bending and stooping are performed frequently.

Environmental Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an indoor, climate-controlled environment with occasional work being outside for various events, meeting, and home /property visits. Some outside walking, standing, kneeling, bending, stooping, increased noise levels, heat exposure, unpleasant odors, pest, and unpleasant sights may be experienced. Contact with residents of varying abilities and temperament are frequent. Some travel is required to attend local and non-local events, case management sessions, home/property visits, trainings, and workshops.

Pay Grade: 6

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

 

Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law. 

 

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

Salary : $45,614 - $59,301