Behavioral Health Clinical & Quality Assurance Strategist (Operations & Policy Analyst 4)

State of Oregon; United States; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A state agency seeks a Behavioral Health Clinical & Quality Assurance Strategist to lead clinical initiatives and policy interpretation within the Medicaid Division. The role is crucial in promoting access to high-quality behavioral health services and requires strong experience in health equity and community engagement.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental benefits

11 paid holidays and vacation leave

Training opportunities for career growth

Qualifications

• Active clinical Oregon licensure required.
• Minimum of eight years in evaluative and planning work.
• Experience with health equity initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Serve as clinical and strategic lead within the Medicaid Division.
• Provide leadership on behavioral health policy and collaborate with various teams.
• Review prior authorizations and documentation for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Skills

Leading and supporting policy development

Knowledge of health services delivery systems

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

05/29/2025

Application Deadline:

06/11/2025

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$7,353 - $10,827

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Behavioral Health Clinical & Quality Assurance Strategist (Operations & Policy Analyst 4)

Job Description:

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! - Behavioral Health Clinical & Quality Assurance Strategist (Operations & Policy Analyst 4)

The Behavioral Health Clinical & Quality Assurance Strategist will serve as a clinical and strategic lead within the Medicaid Division. Through the sound application of clinical evidence and best practice in behavioral health clinical review and OHP policy interpretation, this position will promote access to high quality behavioral health services and pursue the quintuple aim of health equity, better health, improved outcomes, lower costs, and clinician well-being.

This position will provide internal and external leadership and direction of OHP behavioral health policy through collaboration with the Medicaid Medical Leadership Team, the Behavioral Health Division, and the Health Policy and Analytics Division on various projects. This position serves as a subject matter expert on OHP benefits and policy, OHA behavioral health rules, and federal Medicaid regulations. They will advise and coordinate with Medicaid contractors, provide technical assistance to OHP enrolled behavioral health providers, influence statewide OHP program integrity, and support cross-divisional and interagency initiatives.

This position will be responsible for reviewing prior authorizations, Notices of Action (NOA), adverse determinations made by the Independent Qualified Agent (IQA), and any other documentation needed to determine the appropriate level of service for adult Medicaid Beneficiaries.

This position will collaborate with diverse populations most harmed by social injustice and inequities and will demonstrate the ability to build and steward positive, collaborative and partnership-based relationships with diverse community groups including communities of color, immigrant groups, the disability and neurodivergent communities, veterans, older adults, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA2S+ and other communities that have been traditionally marginalized.

Click Here to view a Dashboard of all current recruitments for the Medicaid Division. On the dashboard, you will see a link to the full position description. The position description provides additional context for the role. Section 1 of the position description outlines Position Information, including Work Location and Supervisor Name. Section 3 outlines specific responsibilities in the Description of Duties.

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications: These qualifications must be visible in your application for consideration.

Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

EXAMPLE: A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

Special Qualifications:

Active clinical Oregon licensure through one of following licensing boards: The Oregon Medical Board, The Board of Licensed Social Workers, The Oregon Board of Licensed Counselors and Therapists, The Oregon State Board of Nursing Licenses, or The Health Related Licensing Boards.

Desired Attributes: The following are skills and lived experiences that we have identified as key to success in this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you possess any of these, please let us know in your application.

• Experience leading or supporting the development and implementation of policies and programs at the community, state, and/or national level that advance health equity (address systemic health disparities, expand culturally responsive and inclusive services, factor in social determinants of health) and elevate the voice of community and those with lived experience.
• Knowledge of health services delivery systems, particularly the Oregon Health Plan/ Medicaid administration in Oregon, including experience working with Coordinated Care Organizations, social safety net programs, health service providers (including Community Mental Health Programs and other behavioral health service providers), and community-based organizations to guide operations and policies. Knowledge and understanding of the full continuum of behavioral health care, with specific understanding of the cross section between behavioral health, community corrections and systemic racism.
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes; experience analyzing, applying and advising on relevant federal and state laws and regulations as well as, legislative concepts/bills; specific knowledge of Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes is valued in this position.
• Clinical experience working across multiple levels within the behavioral health continuum of care, i.e. outpatient, and/or acute, and/or residential. Experience applying clinical knowledge drawn from a broad education in the social and clinical sciences to recognize the most effective, clinically appropriate health care services necessary to promote a person's optimum health and well-being. Experience with individual patient advocacy and supporting the acquisition of medically necessary health services.
• Ability to provide organizational leadership to foster inter-and cross-agency collaboration and to shape systems-wide community centered policies, programs, and continuous (performance / quality / process) improvement strategies. Ability to navigate complex relationships through collaborative problem-solving, consensus-building, and solution-focused approaches, recognizing positionality and fostering power-sharing dynamics. Experience facilitating meetings with a variety of key partners, including internal teams, community members/groups, government officials and legislators.
• Strong oral and written communication skills across a variety of forums; experience communicating qualitative and quantitative information, verbal and written, that are accessible to and understood by audiences with different levels of comprehension or interest and that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and appropriate.
• Experience and knowledge evaluating and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data to analyze and measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of administrative and technical programs within the context of health policy / healthcare services.Experience presenting and articulating the value and relevance of research and evaluation data to facilitate quality assurance, strategic planning, and decision-making.

We are seeking someone who shares Oregon Health Authority’s mission and values. OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click here , to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values.

Application Guidance

How to Apply: Submission Requirements - At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume and cover letter.

• External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.
• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Before the job announcement closes, log in to your Workday account to check for pending tasks under “My Applications” and complete them.
• Remember to check your email (including your junk folder) and Workday inbox for updates on your application.
• We value our veterans! To ensure the security of your information, kindly follow the instructions for how to submit your Veteran documents for preference found here. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

Reminders:

• Your candidate profile and application materials are great opportunities to showcase your interest in the position and highlight your skills and experience. Submissions will be screened for consistency and communication skills, including attention to detail, spelling, and grammar. For more tips and guidance, check out What you need to know to get the job !
• This announcement is for one, full-time, permanent, non-represented management service, Operations & Policy Analyst 4 position based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is a HYBRID/(15% IN-OFFICE) position. Please check SECTION 4. WORKING CONDITIONS, of the position description linked above to review more details regarding the details surrounding the working conditions.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline. For questions about the announcement, or if you require an alternate format to apply, please contact the Senior Recruiter, Stephanie Mitchell at Voice: [503-979-7679] (TTY 711) or Email: [e-mail] .
• For Workday technical support dial 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment;promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from. If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authorityis the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on any protected class—including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation—and we do not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.