Rural Health Transformation Tribal Program Specialist (HCPS/OTA) - Project

Full Job Description

Rural Health Transformation Tribal Program Specialist (HCPS/OTA) - Project

71113105

This is a project position funded through 10/30/2030.

Are you interested in an opportunity to ensure Tribes are represented in the implementation of Rural Health Transformation Program initiatives across Washington?

This position administers contracts, analyzes policy, and provides insight from their expertise in Indian health care purchasing to help hospitals and other health care provides to align their programs with the needs of Native communities.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate confidence in taking action steps with new programs while wading through ambiguity.

If you are motivated to use your experience with Tribes and/or Indian health care in a role making an impact on these communities, this may be the position for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The Health Care Authority, through the direction of 43.356 RCW and the HCA Tribal Consultation and Communication policy, partners directly with Tribal governments in a government-to-government manner.

The Office of Tribal Affair’s (OTA) team supports the agency in meaningful collaboration and communication with Tribal partners, Indian Health Care Providers, urban Indian health programs, and Tribal consortia and organizations.

About the position:

Washington’s Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program comes from the H.R.1 budget reconciliation bill, which Congress passed in 2025. The RHT Program is designed to:

• Strengthen the State’s rural healthcare infrastructure;
• Improve healthcare access, quality, and sustainability;
• Address health care workforce shortages;
• Promote innovative care models; and
• Provide support for rural providers facing financial challenges

This position supports program activities necessary to ensure program compliance and effectiveness.

This position is responsible for knowing all aspects of RHT and will guide, support, and coordinate the work of this initiative with respect to Tribes, and enable translation and communication between HCA, Tribes, and the key organizations as they interact on the implementation of RHT.

In particular, this position is the key link between HCA, Tribes, and the hospitals participating in RHT, ensuring that complex health care purchasing strategy is transformed into actionable insights to address the continuing challenge of accessing hospital care in Washington for Tribes.

The role supports a major grant initiative and, in conjunction with the HCA, RHT and OTA teams, creates agendas, facilitates meetings, creates slide decks, research specific topics, and connects the dots of the RHT initiative with Tribes, hospitals, and professional hospital organizations.

This includes project management, grant management, support for the deliverables, and developing presentations and other written communications for the RHT and committees (i.e., narratives, reports, one-pagers, infographics, etc.) related to this initiative and individual programs.

This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site.The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA has currently suspended the ability to support out-of-state telework.

Requirements

Some of what you will do:

• Analyze and evaluate hospital payment models and programs proposed under the RHT Program for Tribal impacts and considerations.
• Provide possible options for payment models and programs that ensure Tribes, hospitals, and community-based program implementers are engaged in creating mutually beneficial relationships.
• Translate, interpret, and ensure understanding of key assumptions and methodologies regarding Tribal purchasing and hospital payments.
• Develop, implement, and manage program policies, procedures, evaluation, planning, and policy to enable Tribes to participate fully in RHT.
• Ensure appropriate consideration and inclusion of unique Tribal purchasing policies in any necessary workgroups, rule establishment, provider guides, or guidance documentation developed by HCA.
• Contribute to sustainability planning and implementation, including analyzing and evaluating proposed legislation at the state and federal level.
• Develop and provide in-depth training via webinars, presentations, and/or technical assistance sessions to inform internal and external partners regarding hospital payment models and Tribal impacts.
• Support or lead webinars, presentations, and technical assistance sessions to inform and highlight the implementation of alternative payment models (APMs) for in-patient services.
• Negotiate and manage the development, preparation, implementation, and monitoring of contracts for RHT projects.
• Authorize specific program expenditures, such as approval for reimbursement or approval of contract amendments.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will satisfy one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

• Bachelor’s degree with major study in public health, behavioral health, public administration, business administration, social work, or closely related field, and
• Four (4) years of consultative or supervisory experience in health services, social services, Medicaid, behavioral health, or other health care programs.

Option 2:

• Associate degree with major study in public health, behavioral health, public administration, business administration, social work, or closely related field, and
• Six (6) years of consultative or supervisory experience in health services, social services, Medicaid, behavioral health, or other health care programs.

Option 3:

• Eight (8) years of consultative or supervisory experience in health services, social services, Medicaid, behavioral health, or other health care programs.

Option 4:

• One year as a Health Care Program Consultant job classification in state service.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Tribes and/or Indian Health Care Providers

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of health care financing and purchasing strategies, including hospital payments.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification.

To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

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

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• 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.

Additional 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.
• And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.

HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description.

Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov or 360.725.0945.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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