Rural HIT Specialist

Description of Work ***This position currently qualifies for a flexible/hybrid work schedule*** The Rural Health Information Technology Program, within ORH, works directly with the North Carolina Safety net to assess needs, and provide technical assistance throughout the state to improve the use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems and the use of NC Health Connex, the state designated health information exchange.
As a member of the Rural Health Information Technology Team, the primary purpose of this position is to develop innovative technology strategies that assist ORH collaborative partners in reaching their goals of providing quality, cost-effective health care through meaningful use of Health Information Technology (HIT).
This position will engage in local, state and federal initiatives to better population health, provide consultation to community partners, survey the needs of the stakeholder and develop a plan based on those needs, evaluate the type and quality of services provided, engage in the development of training curriculum (to include planning and oversite to training provided in a conference setting), develop and communicate program policies with health care partners, establish and monitor contracts, ensure compliance with DHHS and funding agency requirements and expectations.
Aligned with these initiatives, this position will provide outreach and assist in onboarding of Rural Health providers to establish connectivity to NC Health Connex.
This position will be responsible for grant and report writing.
The position is also expected to facilitate partnerships and collaborations, raise awareness of the health information needs of the population, and share information about program and ORH resources.
This position will assess the EHR needs of ORH customers/participants and recommend viable validated solutions.
This is a time-limited (48 months) position.
Description of Work: Contract Development, Monitoring and Technical Assistance: Process and/or monitor invoices, contracts, amendments, budgets, grant goals, performance measures and other agreed upon deliverables within established ORH timeframes and according to ORH monitoring plan to include insuring that contractor information is up to date throughout contract period.
Monitor grantee contracts related to telehealth programs, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and reporting deadlines.
Plan, conduct, arrange, and participate in trainings/webinars and/or identify qualified trainers for key topics (e.
g.
, Digital Skills, Health Literacy, HIPAA, Remote Patient Monitoring, Data Reporting) Strengthen the supports and services available to vulnerable populations by providing technical assistance, funding, community needs assessments, program development or enhancement, contract monitoring, identification of health professional shortages, project management and program evaluation, as applicable.
Provide technical assistance, orientation, education, monitoring, and training to assist in meeting internal and external partners’ needs and Departmental and grant goals through regular contacts with sites/contractors.
Document all technical assistance following established guidelines.
Promote, evaluate and assist in developing performance measures that focus on access to care, patient satisfaction, quality and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ensure data is collected on a timely basis and is accurate.
Assist with the development of RFA/RFPs as applicable.
Develop and provide resources to assist safety net systems with sustainability, quality, and the provision of services and share with other programs as relevant or when requested.
Provide consultation to future grantees to submit balanced budgets, appropriate scopes of work and performance measures for Open Window prior to the effective date of the grant/contract/amendment.
Ensure that contracts are completed, accurate and executed by the established deadline.
Assist Program Manager with inputting contract data into Open Window, registering grantees in eProcurement and other State contract tracking databases.
Communicate regularly with sites/providers via phone, email and site visits to monitor Contractor’s budget, expenditure reports, grant goals, performance measures, and other agreed upon deliverables according to the ORH monitoring plan for assigned contracts.
Complete monitoring reports as outlined in ORH‘s monitoring plan.
Assist Program Manager with preparing federal and other grants to support the objectives of the program and the mission of the Department.
Complete accurate and timely program related reports as requested by program manager.
Assist with the development and maintenance of initiatives designed at increasing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in healthcare resources and facilitation of access to health care, dental care, behavioral health services and/or prescription medications.
This involves conducting needs assessments, evaluation of related data, grant writing, partnership development, and project monitoring.
Assist the Program Manager in researching federal and state rules and regulations and public and private funders’ policies and procedural requirements for opportunities for financing healthcare services, eligibility criteria, coverage limitations and waiver options; analyzing the implications of these on project design strategies and products; and recommending options for consideration and project design.
Assist the Program Manager with analyzing potential pilot communities, safety net providers and networks for level of need among the target population; geographic diversity; in-plan provider capacity and readiness; selecting sites to pilot projects from among qualified communities statewide; and coordinating alternative resources for out-of-plan referrals.
Works closely with Contract Manager in the preparation and review process of contracts for completeness and accuracy and follow-up with grantees to ensure compliance of program requirements.
Budget management and analysis: Understands basic accounting principles, budgeting techniques and financial reporting.
Proficiency in using spreadsheet software to create and manage budget documents.
Presents budget information in a clear and concise manner to various audiences.
Identities budgetary issues and develops solutions to solve them.
Monitors expenditures, identifies variances and makes recommendations for budget adjustments.
Provides high quality customer service to internal and external partners and adhere to all governing policies.
Analyzes and monitors budget related data systems to solve problems and enhance efficiency and efficacy within budgetary and IT restraints.
Analyzes data to determine the costs and benefits of various programs and recommends funding levels based on their findings.
Estimates future monetary needs, communicates available funds to different departments, keeps track of spending and makes sure it's within the budget.
Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual budget reports explaining risks and trends in budget variances.
Data Management and Reporting: Support sustainability of programs and office goals through tracking progress, collecting data, evaluating and analyzing performance and reporting outcome in concise, accurate reports as required.
Complete all required reports and assignments accurately and within the timeframe specified for review by manager or as required by Federal/State or grant guidelines.
Provide technical assistance and monitoring to maximize the accuracy and availability of data as required by ORH guidelines and to meet contract performance measures.
Maintaining up-to-date grantee documentation for tracking services that are supported with ORH funds within the timeline as specified by ORH reporting and management requirements.
About NC Department of Health and Human Services: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) serves the needs of the most vulnerable of North Carolinians and to accomplish this, we hire only the most dedicated and caring individuals.
Finding qualified clinical professionals to treat and care for our clients is a continual challenge as demand for services grows and the availability of providers struggles to keep pace.
We are seeking a motivated individual who is up for this challenge and is dedicated to our mission of providing North Carolinians with the very best in clinical care.
About the DHHS Office of Rural Health The Office of Rural Health (Office, ORH), a component of the Office of the Secretary, has two primary functions.
First, the Office engages local and state leaders in designing and implementing strategies for improving the health of rural and underserved communities.
In this role, the Office assists underserved communities and populations with developing innovative strategies for equal access, high quality and cost-effective health care for all by working with communities to meet the health needs of all underserved residents, fostering state and local partnerships with ownership vested in communities, providing in-depth technical assistance on an on-going basis, assuring clear and measurable accountability, and seeking to eliminate health disparities.
Second, in cooperation with DHHS divisions and community partners, the Office assists the Secretary in designing and testing innovative and community-based approaches for meeting DHHS developmental priorities.
Compensation & Benefits: The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.
Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.
Visit website for State Benefits 24-04614 ORH 65024852 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form.
Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.
Qualified applicants must document on the application that they possess all of the following: General knowledge of complex health care delivery systems inclusive of primary care and the general professional standards involved.
Understanding of Electronic Health Records and other technology applications as related to primary health care service provision.
Ability to monitor, analyze and present budget information, reports, and financial data to stakeholders, management, and team members in a clear and concise manner.
Demonstrated skill in collecting, analyzing and preparing reports from data and information.
Experienced with providing oversight, direction and establish and maintain effective working relationships with interested organizations, agencies, communities and individuals.
Management Preference: Experience project managing the implementation or integration of health information exchange solutions.
Experience working with several EMR or EHR systems.
Experience with budget management software.
Experience with state or federal contract management.
Knowledge of clinical data exchange, Health Information Exchange (HIE), clinical informatics, Value Based Care, and/or Population Health and Informatics.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.
” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.
See oshr.
nc.
gov/experience-guide for details.
Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, political science, business administration, or related field, from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in social work, public administration, or a field directly related to the specific program assignment OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.