Mental Health Program Specialist 3 (Clinical), Central Office;

Minimum Qualifications

Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications Under the NY HELPS Program:

A bachelor’s degree in a health or human services area and four years of professional clinical experience in a mental health program.

A master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, clinical psychology, community mental health counseling, counseling and community psychology, counseling, forensic psychology, mental health counseling, nursing, psychoanalysis, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or social work can substitute for one year of specialized experience.

Transfer Opportunity:

Candidates must have permanent status as a Mental Health Program Specialist 3 (Clinical) and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1 or Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law by having at least one year of permanent service in a qualifying title within two salary grades or one M-grade of this position.

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of TJC and CMS standards
• Experience with TJC and/or CMS surveys
• Supervisory experience
  
  

Duties Description

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is currently recruiting to fill a Mental Health Program Specialist 3, M-1, position in the Office of Quality Improvement, External Review Unit. The incumbent will provide guidance and interpretation to OMH Psychiatric Centers regarding Joint Commission Hospital and Behavioral Health standards and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs), and oversee facility compliance with regulatory expectations.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Leadership and Supervision:

• Supervise MHPS2s to include clinical oversight, technical direction, and management of departmental administrative functions.
• Lead and direct statewide workgroups designed to develop agency approaches for complying with new, revised, and existing standards and requirements.
• Assist in the development of departmental policies and procedures.
• Coordinate, oversee, and implement plans for facility readiness assessments and strategizes with facility leadership on the implementation and ongoing effectiveness of plans of corrective action.
• Represent the department in workgroups designed to develop agency approaches for complying with standards, to prepare OMH guidelines for regulatory compliance, and to develop systemwide policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and convene project workgroups and committees, including orientation, training, and technical assistance.
  
  

Effective communication:

• Work collegially with OMH leadership, facility staff and coworkers, to establish and maintain good working relationships. This includes assisting in the development of communication strategies; developing training materials and providing education, either independently or as part of a group, to facility staff, Quality Directors, facility leadership, and others as indicated; making recommendations to OMH and facility leadership regarding policy and procedure changes necessary to meet OMH, TJC, and CMS standards.
• Maintain knowledge of and research new, revised, and existing TJC standards and CMS requirements and use this expert information and sound judgement in communication, clarification, and interpretation of requirements; to provide input in the creation of systematic processes, guidelines, audit tools and other documentation to assist with ongoing survey readiness; to review data; and to prepare educational presentations.
• Act as liaison between OMH facilities and The Joint Commission, and other surveyors, to facilitate the survey process, help facility leadership strategize on survey issues, and interface with surveyors. This includes attending Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Systems surveys to monitor the survey and assist facility staff as needed.
• Ensure the thorough and timely completion of survey readiness reports for all assigned facilities and subordinate staff following the departmental writing format
• Provide guidance and direction to subordinate staff and OMH facilities in the completion of Joint Commission applications, plans of corrective action, reports of evidence of standards compliance in response to onsite survey events, Ligature Risk Extension Requests, and responses to Joint Commission complaints.
  
  

Administrative functions assigned as needed:

• Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of SharePoint and other electronic applications.
• Oversee completion of IOC tasks and responsibilities
• Oversee the processing of survey fees
• Projects as assigned
  
  

The position is based out of OMH Central Office in Albany and requires extensive travel. There is regular planned travel within the state and, at times, travel includes attendance at unplanned and unannounced surveys.

Additional Comments

Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability for this position will be discussed during the interview process. Please note, employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to operational needs and Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

The Mission of the New York State Office of Mental Health is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. OMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, OMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring OMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.