Description

Duties

Some of what you will do:

• Serve as subject matter expert on behavioral health services, laws, regulations, and requirements as they relate to AOT.
• Create and maintain relationships with all community stakeholders.
• Provide problem-solving and consultation to contracted entities and communities throughout implementation.
• Develop statewide program requirements, best practices, policies, and procedures for the implementation of AOT programs by BHASOs.
• Develop contracts to ensure the availability and appropriate use of AOT.
• Monitor contracts, maintaining relationships with stakeholders to ensure contract requirements are met.
• Collaborate with BHASOs and BHASO AOT Coordinators.
• Make policy recommendations to the supervisor and DBHR leadership.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Superior Courts, AOT provider agencies, and other stakeholders regarding AOT education and implementation.
• Conduct stakeholder meetings.
• Provide education to stakeholders, including AOT petitioner types (hospitals, behavioral health provider agencies, mental health and SUD providers, Designated Crisis Responders, release planners from corrections, emergency room physicians). This includes presentations on HB 1773, AOT, implementation progress, petition writing, and other relevant topics and updates.
• Support BHASOs in developing and implementing a plan with HCA, Regional ITA courts, AOT providers, and community stakeholders.
• Develop a system to review and track AOT data.
• Assess and provide relevant suggestions based on data trends.
• Consult with and advise DBHR leadership on the impact of AOT trends and overall utilization and capacity.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or other related behavioral health field, and
Qualification as a Mental Health Professional (MHP) within the State of Washington, in accordance with WAC 246-341-0515
And 2 years of clinical mental health experience, including:

• Knowledge of the Washington State community and state behavioral health systems, including inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment.
• Strong knowledge of the Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) and the process for treatment within involuntary inpatient hospitalizations and less restrictive treatment orders.
• Strong understanding of the legal process for ITA.
• Experience working effectively with cross-system collaboration and coordination.
• Field experience in providing clinical behavioral health services.
• Experience with behavioral health program development and/or quality management.
• Effectively and professionally communicate technical, sensitive, and/or confidential matters to diverse groups of people both verbally and in writing.
• Analyze and interpret information to provide options and solutions.
• Independently prioritizing workload, staying organized and paying close attention to detail.
• Work independently with little supervision and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to track and interpret data.

• Understanding of community crisis systems as they interact with law enforcement and other emergency services
• Experience providing inpatient psychiatric discharge coordination services
• Experience as a Designated Crisis Responder
• Experience providing expert witness testimony, declarations, and depositions within the context of the behavioral health court process
• Knowledge of public behavioral health services systems, including program management principles and models of care, national and local trends in care, and practice of managed care and other service delivery models
• Knowledge of federal and state behavioral health statutes, rules, and regulations, including Medicaid regulations relating to behavioral health access
• Knowledge of Medicaid managed care principles and contract issues related to funding, medical necessity, quality improvement, cultural competency, and provider contracting
• Knowledge of the protocols and processes of the executive and legislative branches of state and local government

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Supplemental Information

About HCA:
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.
What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking!

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022