HealthChoices Project Manager

County of Berks; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Berks is seeking a Project Manager to lead and oversee the DHS Behavioral Health HealthChoices program and ensure compliance across the BH-MCO’s activities, including reporting, audits, and service descriptions.

The role requires a Master’s degree in social or human services and at least five years of behavioral health experience with project management. Some travel within the county may be required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social or human services.
• At least five years of direct clinical experience in a behavioral health setting, including project management.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and training may be considered.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license with good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project lead and ensure compliance for DHS projects (e.g., Value Based Purchasing).
• Collaborate with BH-MCO on strategic planning and assigned projects.
• Oversee BH-MCO’s Compliance/FWA Program and ensure reporting and audits.
• Review BH-MCO initiatives, policies, performance standards, and related documents.
• Manage the Berks behavioral health provider network to meet access standards and service needs.
• Develop and monitor reinvestment plans, budgets, outcomes, and reporting.
• Participate in member-specific cases to ensure medically necessary services.
• Complete Emergency Behavioral Health certification and mandatory trainings.
• Possibility of serving as Emergency Services Delegate and 7-day/24-hour coverage if needed.

Skills

Behavioral health system

BH project management

Budget development

Relationship building

Effective communication

Multi-tasking

Independent work

Computer skills

Stress management

Office presence

Education

Master’s degree in social or human services

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Manager is responsible for the development and maintenance of projects in the Berks County Behavioral Health HealthChoices Program for Medicaid recipients, including providing oversight of the sub-contracted Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization’s (BH-MCO) Compliance Program.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Serve as project lead and ensure compliance for assigned Department of Human Services (DHS) projects, such as Value Based Purchasing (VBP).
• Serve as project lead and collaborate with the BH-MCO on strategic planning and assigned projects.
• Oversee the BH-MCO’s Compliance/Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) Program to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, including timely and accurate reporting, work plan monitoring, and collaborating on provider audits, findings, and related interventions.
• Review the BH-MCO’s initiatives, policies/procedures, performance standards, and related documents.
• Manage the Berks behavioral health provider network to ensure access standards and service needs are met, including review and approval of service descriptions and expansion requests, data and trendanalysis toidentify service gaps, and program development.
• Develop and monitor reinvestment plans to enhance behavioral health services, including budgets, outcomes, and required reporting.
• Participate in member-specific cases to ensure medically necessary behavioral health services are provided.
• Serve as project lead on departmental assignments.
• Complete Emergency Behavioral Health certification as well as mandatory training and clearances.
• If the incumbent is approved by the State of PA to act as an Emergency Services Delegate, then they may be required to assist in providing coverage to perform duties of an Emergency Services Delegate if needed. May be required to assist on a 7-day, 24-hour rotation program.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in social or human services.
• At least five years of direct clinical experience in a behavioral health setting, to include behavioral healthcare project management.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and training may be considered.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license with good driving record.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the behavioral health system.
• Knowledge of behavioral health project management, including data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of budget development and analysis.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with professionals and members, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in an organized, detail-oriented, and efficient manner.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with standard computer software programs.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Normal cubicles and individual office environment. Work is primarily performed during regular business hours; however, occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on the department’s needs. Position requires occasional travel within the county and state to perform job functions. The position may require working in moderately noisy to loud environments, including cubicles and communal workspaces, and participating in frequent collaborative team meetings. The work environment may include a fast‑paced setting with frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and interactions with employees, the public, and other stakeholders.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.