DIRECTOR, CONTRACT SPECIALIST - NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH

Department: Native American Health Svcs

FTE: 1.00
Full Time
Shift: Days

Position Summary:
Manage the health liaison operations for the New Mexico Native American Communities and oversee operational and administrative activities of the Native American Health Services office to include health care contracting and support services for Native American patients and customers; function as an advocate and liaison for Native American patients, customers, and their affiliated alliances. Prepare reports and contract proposals; may present and disseminate results to professional individuals, groups and/or organizations; ensure confidentiality of records. Develop and maintain positive working relationships between this organization and the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG), UNM HSC Native American-focused departments, Albuquerque Area Indian Health Services, Navajo Nation, Apache Nations, and other tribal leader groups. Supervise the Native American Health Services support staff, develop reports, track trends, and develops training and outreach for various external and internal groups. Ensure adherence to Hospital and Departmental Policies and Procedures. No patient care assignment.

Detailed responsibilities:
* COMPLIANCE - Ensure staff compliance with established policies and procedures, professional standards and practice, and requirements of accreditation and regulatory agencies
* DEVELOPMENT - Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops
* COORDINATION - Coordinate with and serve as a liaison with the UNM SRMC Office of Native American Affairs, other UNM Health and Health Sciences departments, community and government agencies, and other individuals as assigned
* AUTHORIZATION - Ensure the process of prior authorization and referral verification is adhered to throughout the patient access department
* LEADERSHIP - Provide leadership through identification of problems and opportunities for improvement, program planning, implementation, and evaluation
* MEETINGS - Participate and represent the organization at meetings and events associated with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I); serve as a liaison between organization personnel, patients, families, community entities and community leaders; ensure quality service and customer satisfactio
* REPORTS – Promote and support the preparation and dissemination of reports that are mutually beneficial to UNM and leaders of the New Mexico Pueblos, Tribes and Nations to increase knowledge, further communication, and advance development of contractual service agreements
* CUSTOMER SERVICE - Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships between UNMH and UNM entities
* COORDINATE - Provide coordination and serve as liaison with other components of the Health Sciences Center and community and government agencies/individuals with respect to assigned departments
* RESOLUTION - Ensure timely documentation and resolution of process issues, escalate issues to appropriate decision-making authorities when necessary
* STANDARDS - Establish specific standards and objectives for clinical unit; ensure implementation of and compliance with standards, objectives, and operating policies and procedures
* COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS - Attend technical and administrative meetings; participate in committee functions; participate in hospital-wide activities and committees within the scope of this position or as directed
* POLICIES - Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures for assigned area(s); monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures
* REPORTS - Prepare periodic reports for UNMH Administration, the Indian Health Service, UNM HSC Administration, and other interested parties on Native American utilization of services within the organization
* NAVIGATION/PATIENT ADVOCACY - Work to eliminate barriers to access to culturally informed medical services for Native American patients. Assist patients to access community resources, and financial assistance programs and services that are needed
* COLLABORATION - Collaborate with medical providers, multidisciplinary team members and community resource providers to assist patient to meet above described treatment goals
* CARE COORDINATION - Coordinate with community health workers, case managers, and social workers to overcome obstacles for patients. Provide consultative services to Clinical Social Work and Discharge Planners; coordinate with all appropriate hospital agencies to facilitate admissions for Native Americans
* COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies and community groups. Represent the department and Hospitals at community meetings. Participate in health fairs, presentations and community functions to increase community awareness of services available from the Hospitals
* EDUCATION - Conduct educational sessions with hospital staff to increase awareness of Native American health trends, payment programs, and to facilitate customer service and cultural humility; conduct presentations on behalf of the hospital with various community leadership groups
* SUPERVISION - Develop efficient organizational structure. Supervise employees and select, terminate, train, educate, correct deficiencies, perform appraisals, issue discipline, counsel, schedule work assignments; encourage staff teamwork and growth initiatives
* LIAISON - Serve as liaison between UNM Hospital/HSC and NM Indigenous Pueblo, Tribal, and Nation leaders and community stakeholders in discussions and events that are oriented toward community health improvement
* ASSIST - Provide information and assistance to Native American patients and families regarding support resources and services. Collaborate with the Native American Health Services Liaisons in troubleshooting patient issues that may arise, to ensure satisfaction for all Native American patients
* PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
* PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
* PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
* PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
* PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"

Education:
Essential:
* Bachelor's Degree
Education specialization:
Essential:
* Related Discipline

Experience:
Essential:
5 years related experience

Nonessential:
No preferred experience

Credentials:
Essential:
* Not Applicable/Not Required

Physical Conditions:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Working conditions:
Essential:
* Med Haz: Mod exposure to chemicals/dangerous equip/materials
* Subject to an annual contract and performance appraisal