Medicaid Behavioral Health Policy Analyst

Do you have experience developing, implementing, and providing oversight of policies and programs at the community, state, and/or national level that promote equity and inclusion and reduce disparities? Are you passionate about co-creating human-centered, community-driven solutions that facilitate a whole person system of care? We look forward to hearing from you

to view a Dashboard of all current recruitments for the Behavioral Health Division, Medicaid Division, and the Office of Data Strategy & Operations (which were previously all part of ). The specific positions associated with this posting are listed under REQ-159247. The dashboard identifies the business area (“Section”) and Unit for each position and also provides a link to a position description to offer you greater context for the role. Section 1 of the position description outlines Position Information, including Work Location and Supervisor Name. Section 3 outlines the Description of Duties.

This posting will be used to fill one (1) permanent, full-time position. The position is classified and is represented by a union.

Work Location: Salem/Marion or Portland/Multnomah; hybrid position

What you will do

This position serves as a key policy advisor for the Medicaid Division, Oregon's State Medicaid Agency; representing the agency and division by explaining program activities, policy issues and proposed legislation to legislators, federal and state agencies, the public and Partners. The policy analyst develops behavioral health regulatory policy, standards, and procedures that deal with complex regulatory situations in which policy is not clearly defined. 

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Medicaid subject matter expert on adult mental health services, including 1915(i) home and community-based services (HCBS), state plan option and provide policy advice to senior management on administering medical assistance programs that affect Oregonians with low incomes and providers of services. This position will work across a variety of divisions and programs within OHA and ODHS to administer and align Oregon's HCBS authorities and inform leadership about federal flexibilities. This position is responsible for developing policies to continue and expand HCBS and Adult Mental Health programs.

This position is responsible for providing policy development and organizational improvements to ensure equitable access and quality of behavioral health service for Oregonians. The policies and organizational improvements impact the healthcare system in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and other state agencies. This position is responsible to develop methods to gather data and analyze collected data to monitor and manage program efficacy and compliance. This work is done in collaboration with various entities and partners. Along with other units within OHA, the analyst in this position will work to expand the scope of services within HCBS programs, develop cost-based analyses and inform transition to value-based payments.

OHA values service excellence, leadership, integrity, health equity and partnership and has a strategic goal to end all health inequities by 2030.

The OHA mission is helping people and communities achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnership, prevention and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA’s work is organized into three broad goals: Improve the lifelong health of all Oregonians, increase the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all Oregonians and lower or contain the cost of care so it is affordable to everyone.

What's in it for you?
Oregon Health Authority is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace.

• We offer exceptional benefits packages for you and your qualified family members, with very low monthly out-of-pocket costs. Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here:  
• Paid Leave Days:
  • 11 paid holidays each year
  • 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" each year
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave accumulated every month
  • Progressive vacation leave accrual with increases every 5 years
• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Click to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click , to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education equivalent to seven years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

Example:

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and four years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

Desired Attributes

• Preference given to those with subject matter expertise in home and community-based services regulations, and Oregon's statewide transition plan.
• Experience in advancing health equity, including effective delivery of culturally responsive and inclusive services, evidence of ongoing development of personal cultural awareness and humility, and knowledge of social determinants of health and their impacts on health outcomes.
• Experience developing, implementing policies and programs at the community, state, and/or national level that promote equity and inclusion and address systemic health disparities, with an emphasis on integrating the voice of consumers with lived experience.
• Experience in collaborating with diverse populations most harmed by social injustice and inequities; demonstrated ability to build and steward positive, collaborative and partnership-based relationships with diverse community groups including communities of color, immigrant groups, the disability and neurodivergent communities, veterans, older adults, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA2S+ and other communities that have been traditionally marginalized.
• Knowledge of health services delivery systems, particularly the Oregon Health Plan/ Medicaid administration in Oregon, and experience in working with Community Mental Health Programs, Behavioral Health Service Providers, Coordinated Care Organizations or other managed care entities and their leadership to guide operations and policies.
• Knowledge and experience with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) waiver and demonstration projects.
• Experience interpreting, applying and enforcing relevant federal and state Medicaid laws and regulations, including Medicaid Managed Care regulations.
• Knowledge and experience of the legislative process and government finance, specifically reviewing, interpreting and analyzing legislative concepts and legislative bills.
• Specific knowledge of Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes, other applicable regulations, and program requirements.
• Knowledge and experience of the legislative process and government finance, specifically reviewing, interpreting and analyzing legislative concepts and legislative bills.
• Experience and knowledge of Oregon's Behavioral Health System and relational landscape of key partners, providers, community based organizations, peer delivered services, and advocacy groups.
• Specific knowledge and understanding of the full continuum of behavioral health care, with specific understanding of the cross section between mental health, substance use disorder, community criminal legal system and systemic racism.
• Knowledge about contracts/interagency agreement administration, procurement, and project management within the context of Oregon state government (e.g. OHA/ODHS) or other complex health services delivery organizations.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook skillset; and skilled use of collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Smartsheet.
• Specific knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, iterative design, and improvement science.
• Experience and knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and metrics within the context of health policy, health systems, and health care delivery settings.
• Ability to provide organizational leadership to support inter-and cross-agency collaboration and systems-wide changes that facilitate advocacy, equity, and client-centered policies and solutions.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including ability to effectively manage multiple project timelines, contracts, plans, and deliverables.
• Experience using a wide variety of research and evaluation methods, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods; demonstrated skill in presenting and articulating the value and relevance of data, research, and administrative studies.
• Strong communication skills across a variety of forms that demonstrate the ability to facilitate appreciative inquiry, foster trust and transparency, and promote human-centered change management.
• Experience communicating qualitative and quantitative information, verbal and written, that are accessible to and understood by audiences with different levels of comprehension or interest and that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and appropriate. 
• Ability to navigate complex relationships; ability to demonstrate collaborative problem-solving skills, consensus-building and solution driven approaches. 
• Ability to demonstrate successful meeting facilitation with variety of internal and external partners including program-policy-fiscal staff, community members, community groups, government officials and legislators.
• Demonstrates skills in the following areas:
  • Community and Partner Engagement
  • Contract Administration
  • Data Synthesis, Analysis and Reporting
  • Legislative Coordination
  • Performance / Process / Quality Improvement
  • Policy Advisement
  • Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation
  • Project Management
  • Strong Oral and Written Communication
  • Systems and Organizational Improvement
  • Expert level Technical Assistance