Address: 801 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

This position has the potential to work from a Virtual Office (VO) setting or may Telecommute based on the needs of the unit and at the discretion of leadership.

Salary: $83,600

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open until filled

Under the direction of the Clinical Administrator, this position is responsible for the management and oversight of the DFSM Behavioral Health Prior Authorization/Utilization Review (BH PA/UR) unit. Position duties include interaction with Providers, resolution of Provider issues and BH PA/UR reporting. Provide monitoring and technical assistance to ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and statutory obligations for the members’ physical/acute care services and behavioral health needs.

Monitor over and underutilization, conduct prior authorization reviews, provide oversight and technical assistance, gather, plan, organize and evaluate information from multiple sources, including utilization data, case file reviews and audits. Participate in complex care management clinical staffing as needed, serve as a subject matter expert for Behavioral Health covered services.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Provides direct management of the DFSM BH PA/UR unit, including supervision of the BH PA/UR nurses and other staff. Oversees and directs the technological aspects of the BH PA/UR process and maintains reporting structure and processes.
• Provides oversight and directs team interaction with Fee-for- Service providers, ensures provider issue resolution including grievance and appeals, and provides technical assistance. Works in conjunction with other teams in the Care Management Systems Unit (CMSU), staff and teams in other AHCCCS divisions, and external partners as required on quality related matters, care coordination needs, policies, procedures, and processes related to behavioral health care services.
• Oversight of the BH PA/UR team’s participation in the SMI or SED determination process, special assistance, seclusion and restraint, access to care and out of state placement requests. Oversees and directs interaction with Fee-for- Service Providers, Including Provider issue resolution and technical assistance.
• Acts as a FFS BH subject matter expert while assisting in the development of policies and procedures, as required for delivery of covered behavioral health services.
• As needed, provides backup for the responsibilities held by the BH PA/UR unit and other CMSU functions as needed.

Knowledge:
• Principles and practice of management and supervision, of data research and report development
• Information technology processes and potential prior authorization processes, heath care delivery systems and mechanisms for coordination and delivery of services
• Principles of behavioral and/or medical nursing management and assessment, current standards of medical/behavioral practice and modes of delivery for acute and non-acute medical/behavioral health care and services.
• Current costs, appropriateness and utilization of behavioral health services
• Principles of utilization review, alternative levels of care, ICD, CPT and DSM coding, and medical billing guidelines
• Interrelations of government entities, Federal and state rules, regulations, statutes, programs, policies, procedures, and codes applicable to AHCCCS programs and populations
• Familiarity with American Indian tribes, and programs and policies relative to Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA)
• Service Authorization concepts, principles, and strategies
• General knowledge of behavioral health service delivery system and the needs of individuals designated as SED or SMI
• Individual service planning process and substance abuse treatment
• Medical technology, computer data retrieval and input, including EHR, HIE, etc

Skills:
• Problem solving identification, evaluation, and imitation of appropriate action, nursing, and case management assessment
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills
• Organizational skills to coordinate, monitor and report on multiple cases simultaneously
• Analytical skills to identify and correlate specific patterns, initiate investigations, submit findings and recommendations
• Strong interpersonal skills in working with people of diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
• Documentation and reporting of data and trends
• People leader

Abilities:
• Strong ability to collaborate with others for mutually beneficial outcomes
• Interpret clinical information and assess implications for treatment.
• Read, interpret, and apply complex rules and regulations.
• Independent decision making yet knowing when to elevate the decision.

Minimum: Possession of a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Arizona and four (4) years professional experience related to health programs appropriate to the assignment, which includes program planning or administration; AND Two (2) plus years of managerial experience or (2) plus years as an AHCCCS Health Care Nursing Consultant. A Master's degree in a field appropriate to the assignment may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Preferred: Experience with the Court Order Evaluations (COE)/Court Ordered Treatment (COT) process, the Serious Mental Illness (SMI) determination process, understanding of Non-title funding, and experience with the tribal healthcare delivery system.

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child. Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing careers@azahcccs.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.