The Program Specialist plays a critical role in the day-to-day management and oversight of specific client care within their identified Division. Reporting to the Program Director or Program Manager this position is responsible for coordinating program activities, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to program participants. This role may manage a caseload.
Earn $28/hour.
Schedule: MONDAY - FRIDAY, 9:00AM -5:00PM
Job Functions of the Program Specialist role:
- Overall coordination of individual care and services
- Facilitates team meetings as needed
- Coordinates healthcare and medication oversight
- Is the point person and liaison with family and stakeholder contacts
- Responsible for service plan development and implementation
- Works with internal and external parties to ensure unit authorizations in the ISP
- Aggregates data for quarterly reports and shares data with applicable parties
- HRST (PA requirement) development and coordination
- Completes and coordinates annual consents
- Supports the coordination of Medicaid renewals and redeterminations
- Coordinates and facilitates Human Rights Meetings (NJ) or the equivalent in other states
- Completes the coordination the annual assessments
- Works with business authorization and processes department on individual admissions, transfers, and discharges
- Compiles individual specific data such as medical history, units of service, rates, staffing needs, etc. for all initial/annual pre-ISP assessments
- Meets with Supports Coordinators (SC)/Case Manager to transfer ISP data
- Collaborates with Behavior Specialist regarding Behavior Support Plan; submits to Peer Review; works with management regarding response and plan of action; monitors adherence to plan
- Serves as a resource for Program Manager in determining activities in immediate neighborhoods in which Individuals can participate to foster inclusion
- Participates in the development of Supports Intensity Scale (SIS)
- Analyzes daily, weekly, monthly, progress notes and data collection tools to verify adherence to ISP; determines any changes needed or inconsistencies in services provided; and initiates changes as appropriate
- Ensures Peer Review recommendations are implemented by Manager regarding Consumer Behavior Plans
- Initiates Consumer burial reserve account; works with Fiscal Department to manage accounts to include Special Needs Trusts
- Conducts audits to ensure compliance with licensing regulations
- Collaborates with Nursing to address Consumer healthcare issues, prescribed medications, discharge instructions, Consumer-specific adaptive equipment needs, and delivery of Individual -specific training
- Provides follow-up regarding medical appointments, cancelled appointments, transportation, and medical refills, etc.
- Complies with Incident management policy and procedures to include any necessary follow-up
Benefits
Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
- Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
- DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
- On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
- Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
- Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
- Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
- Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.
Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits
About Merakey
Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.
Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!
Preferred QualificationsThe ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or 60 credit hours in place of education
- 3-5 total years of experience
- 1-3 total Supervisory/Managerial experience
- NADD Certification required within 1 year of hire
- Certified Technology Assessor Required
- HRST Reviewer Required
Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put our heart and soul into everything we do.
We are seeking a Program Specialist to join our team.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree or 60 college credit hours in place of education
- 3–5 years of total experience
- 1–3 years of supervisory or managerial experience
- NADD Certification within one year of hire
- Certified Technology Assessor certification
- HRST Reviewer certification
Merakey Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Merakey and has not been reviewed or approved by Merakey.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is positioned as robust, with multiple medical plan options, telemedicine, care navigation support, and certain specialty medications available at no cost through an affiliated pharmacy.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off policies are structured with separate vacation, sick, and personal time allocations plus paid holidays, and vacation increases with tenure.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and practical supports include an employee assistance program, tuition support, caregiving resources, discounts, and early wage access that can improve day-to-day financial flexibility.
Merakey Insights
What We Do
Merakey is a leading developmental, behavioral health and education non-profit provider offering a breadth of integrated services to individuals and communities across the country. We leverage our size and expertise to develop innovative solutions and new models of care to meet the needs of individuals, their families, public and private healthcare funders and community partner organizations. We recognize that complex needs require a holistic approach. With our experience, expertise and compassion, we empower everyone within our communities to reach their fullest potential.
