DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.
DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.
DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

Address: Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: $78,000 - $83,000 

Grade: N2

Closing Date: May 3, 2024

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!
The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Habilitation Nurse Service Coordinator. This position is responsible for understanding the physical health care needs and coordinating care for members with intellectual/ developmental disabilities (I/DD) who also may be pregnant or have behavioral, CRS conditions, and other complex or special health care needs. This position performs care management for Tribal Health Members with developmental disabilities. This position will also be taking on the lead for the High Needs High-Cost monthly rounds with the health plans.
Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Coordinates care/monitors physical & behavioral healthcare services to DDD members w/ complex care needs. Responsibilities include but not limited to Hospital Notifications, CRS, THP, Maternity referrals, members requiring specialized transportation, arranging for DME, and coordinating skilled nursing or home health services. Emergency department and hospital discharge planning for members with I/DD. Works collaboratively with internal/external agencies.
• Conducts visits with members/families by phone/in-person to develop relationships and become familiar with family dynamics/needs/supports and make appropriate referrals to community agencies. Participates in multidisciplinary planning meetings to determine and identify appropriate services for members per policies and guidelines established by DDD’s contract with AHCCCS.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments of members' physical, behavioral, & long-term care needs and develops comprehensive care plans for prevention, and outcome improvement, to decrease risk status, & increase self-care. Evaluates Social Determinants of Health such as social & economic factors, natural & built environments & policies & programs. Ensures culturally competent plans, especially for Tribal Health Plan members.
• Provides technical assistance/consultative clinical support to care coordination within the Division and within other systems of care by attending CFT/ART and other state-level meetings to coach support coordinators on thejob and enhance DDD integrated care delivery. Function as a liaison to internal departments to timely address the needs of each person. This will include, Support Coord, Network, Behavioral Health Units, and Nursing.
• Referral to resources including but not limited to collaborating with w/referral partners to coordinate DMEs that are in need of nursing services from QV’s & other community resources. Inform member/family of available community resources. Facilitates meetings & program visits to enable members/families to choose appropriate providers. Completes authorizations for selected providers. 
• Conducts phone and on-site visits with schools and service providers to ensure plans are appropriately implemented. Provides oversight relating to services the member receives and reports quality of care concerns promptly per DDD’s policies and procedures. 
• Writes comprehensive progress notes and maintains case records, electronically. Prepares a variety of reports and completes special projects. Provides assistance and support to members/families in crisis. Attends meetings with members/families, service providers and others as required. Identifies and resolves problems.

Knowledge in:

• Managed Care, Medicaid & Medicare concepts.
• Care management concepts, principles, and strategies.
• Nursing theories and practices related to individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health conditions.
• Person-centered planning strategies.

Skills in:

• Using computer software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, etc.).
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Comprehensive nursing assessment & needs analysis.
• Actively participate in the care planning process, updating care coordination meetings and calls.
• Understand appropriate placement settings based on the assessed needs of the member.
• Requires exceptional interpersonal skills, highly effective communication ability, and the propensity to make prompt independent decisions based upon relevant facts and established processes.

Ability to:

• Work independently.
• To think critically and problem-solve.
• Observe and assess the health status and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health conditions.
• Interpret and apply DDD Policies and Procedures.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
• Two years or more of professional experience working with developmental disabilities or seriously mentally ill members.

• Required at time of appointment: possession of a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Arizona.
• Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804.
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. In-state travel is required. This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintain valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage will be reimbursed.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State-sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS-defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.
On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Laura Kaspar at (602)390-5549 or lkaspar@azdes.gov. 
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (602)390-5549 or lkaspar@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.