Health Program Eligibility Worker

Job Description:

Health Program Eligibility Worker

Description

The Position

The current vacancy is in Ukiah with Public Health - Women, Infants and Children and is English/Spanish bilingual preferred .

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of departments, service areas, and locations throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium .

Under general supervision, determines client financial or medical eligibility for health related programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC), California Children Services (CCS), or various Communicable Disease (CD) programs; duties include receiving and reviewing referrals for health related program eligibility and service needs; determining eligibility for programs; explaining procedures and policies; and making appropriate referrals; and serves as liaison between staff and clients. Performs other duties as assigned.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

In all assignments:

• Answers incoming telephone calls and greets visitors and the public; provides customer service and support; responds to inquiries and/or directs individuals to the appropriate area or assists them with information, providing applications, or answering questions.
• Processes and completes assessment and intake forms; collects a variety of information in person or over the telephone, answers client questions, schedules assessment appointments; determines initial eligibility for program(s); continues to determine eligibility as required.
• Reviews plans and applications to ensure completeness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Enters and retrieves a variety of complex information into a computer.
• Provides education, advocacy services, and/or technical advice to clients; refer clients to appropriate services.
• Prepares, tracks and mails appropriate letters, reminders, documents, and other materials; maintains files for orientations, assessments, current and closed client files.
• Ensures reporting requirements are met; requires coordination with medical health, law enforcement and State agencies.
• Assists state licensed and/or registered health staff in case or project management for medical or nutrition services.
• Prepares routine and non-routine reports and correspondence as needed.
• Assists with arranging, coordinating, and conducting outreach services for clientele as needed.
• Communicates both orally and in writing with clients and others related to the initial and ongoing eligibility determination while maintaining confidentiality.
• Orders office supplies to maintain sufficient inventory for office use.
• May act as an interpreter in contacts involving non-English speaking clients.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

When assigned to WIC:

• Assesses client's nutritional intake, evaluates diet and checks growth; issues Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C.) benefits;
• Assists clients in determining goals; conducts one on one counseling sessions; prepares and teaches classes; leads support groups and travels to outlying sites.
• Works collaboratively or independently in conducting clinics, screening activities, and health education classes.

When assigned to CCS:

• Works in collaboration with other health providers and other community agencies in assessing and referring patients requiring assistance with special problems; confers with Public Health nurses on difficult cases and makes recommendations on follow-up plans.
• Determines potential eligibility for SSI, Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal programs and makes referrals, as necessary.
• Receives referrals from providers, hospitals, parents, etc., and enters information into computer; generates appropriate documentation and reports.

When assigned to CD:

• Client care coordination of clients in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP); travels to outlying sites to determine potential eligibility by reviewing income, medical, and other program related documents; advises clients to apply for additional insurance assistance and/or programs when applicable; assists individuals with completing complex applications by utilizing ADAP guidelines and computer system; provides resources and knowledge to clients.
• Receives, reviews, and assists with assigning labs for new communicable disease cases coordinating with the Public Health Officer, Public Health Nurses, hospitals, providers, clinics, or others for additional information needed for investigating and reporting to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
• Processes new HIV/AIDS lab testing results, determines if reports are complete, and follows up with providers when additional testing is needed; investigates and gathers information to determine if there is a new case to report to the Office of AIDS (OA).
• Assists clients in completing applications for the Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) program; processes applications utilizing State and County MMIC protocols, procedures, and forms.
• Receives and properly packages tick specimens and delivers to courier for transportation and testing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:
High School diploma or GED; AND

Six (6) months of related experience performing clerical or front office duties in a health care setting or determining program eligibility, OR a combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Some positions may require the ability to communicate in a second language as an interpreter.

Licenses and Certifications:
Valid Driver's License

When assigned to WIC:
Successful completion of both WIC Nutrition Assistant (WNA) AND Certified Lactation Counselor certifications within one (1) year of appointment to the class.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Resources, community agencies and health care and other services.
• Needs, problems, and barriers to health care for low-income and minority populations.
• Phone etiquette and interview techniques.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Office procedures including filing, record keeping and scheduling of appointments.

When assigned to CCS:

• Process of application for SSI, CCS, Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, and other health care coverage.
• Medical conditions, terminology and treatment approaches.

Skill in:

• Organizing work, setting priorities and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• Interact professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients.
• Creating spreadsheets and presentation materials.
• Applying basic math principles of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percents and decimals.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Ability to speak effectively and respond to questions.
• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional effective working relationships with agency staff, clients and others.
• Understand and respect cultural differences resulting from medical, financial, cultural and other factors.
• While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is required to regularly speak and listen.
• Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 3/16/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$38,334.40 - $46,612.80 Annually