What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Program Specialist position at Hawaii Primary Care Association?
Company Description
The Hawai‘i Primary Care Association (HPCA) improves the health of communities in need by advocating for, expanding access to, and sustaining high-quality health care through a statewide network of Community Health Centers. For over thirty years, HPCA has supported vulnerable populations across Hawai‘i by helping to establish and maintain access to primary care services for all residents.
Job Purpose and Basic Function
The Senior Program Specialist advances HPCA’s chronic disease prevention and management initiatives in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer screening. This position supports participating Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) by providing technical assistance, monitoring subrecipient performance, and ensuring grant compliance and alignment with HPCA priorities.
Description of Primary Responsibilities and Duties
- Lead chronic disease program implementation - Oversee implementation of grant goals and support FQHCs in implementing chronic disease initiatives (e.g., Diabetes Prevention Program).
- Provide technical assistance and coaching - Support health center teams with workflow improvement, team-based care, and implementation of evidence-based practices, patient engagement, recruitment, retention, and chronic disease management.
- Manage grant activities and subrecipient monitoring - Monitor subrecipient deliverables, timelines, participation, and reporting to ensure alignment with funder requirements and HPCA priorities.
- Convene learning and quality improvement activities - Plan and facilitate check-ins and learning sessions to address barriers, share promising practices, and promote sustainability across the health centers.
- Advance data-informed improvement and value-based care readiness - Use data to identify care gaps, prioritize assistance, and strengthen population health and care team processes that support value-based care.
- Develop and share resources - Develop and disseminate adaptable tools, workflow resources, and promising practices that improve chronic disease outcomes.
- Provides additional assistance and support as assigned.
General Expectations
- Displays advanced organizational and leadership skills to coordinate multiple grant-funded initiatives, FQHCs, and internal workstreams.
- Develops practical solutions to implementation challenges and navigates timelines, accountability, partner engagement, and subrecipient monitoring with diplomacy and professionalism.
Communications Skills
- Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Clearly communicates complex information, recommendations, and priorities to clinical, operational, and community audiences, using sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
- Builds and maintains relationships across diverse teams and partners.
Professional/Technical Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Possess the equivalent of formal training and applied experience in public health, health administration, nursing, social work, or a related field (Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred)
- Knowledge of chronic disease programming, quality improvement, population health, team-based care, and value-based care concepts in FQHC settings.
- Experience supporting FQHCs, community-based organizations, or health system partners with chronic disease prevention, management, or practice transformation.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management, virtual meeting, and data platforms (e.g., Zoom, Asana, Azara DRVS).
Licenses & Certifications
- None.
- Relevant certifications in quality improvement, chronic disease prevention, diabetes care, lifestyle coaching, or related practice transformation areas are preferred.
Work Environment & Conditions
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those this position encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Operates in an indoor, hybrid office/remote office environment. Must reside in Hawai‘i. Relocation assistance is not available.
- Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week with occasional evening and weekend work as job duties require.
- Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and telephones.
- Requires the ability to work under stress during peak workload periods.
- Requires periodic in-state travel, including Neighbor Island travel, as needed.
- Continued employment is contingent on available funding.