Program Specialist IV

Health & Human Services Comm; Lubbock (TX); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Time off

Career advancement

Job summary

Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking a Program Specialist IV to oversee IPC and LON reviews, provide technical guidance, and support hearings related to Medicaid/CHIP services. The role emphasizes collaboration with external agencies, stakeholders and internal HHSC teams to improve utilization review processes and outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have a four-year degree in human services or a related field, strong communication skills, and experience with public programs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of HHSC rules, IPCs and LONs
• Ability to provide technical assistance and education to stakeholders
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Responsibilities

• Review Level of Need requests tied to provider reimbursement for HCS, TxHmL and ICF/IID (40%)
• Consult with external and internal stakeholders to resolve issues (20%)
• Ensure program policy compliance and take corrective action as needed (10%)
• Provide guidance to program staff on challenging reviews and cases (10%)
• Attend meetings with related program areas and serve as SME (5%)
• Assist with responses to inquiries and track trends for program/policy updates (5%)
• Attend work on a regular schedule and perform other duties (5%)
• Collaborate across MCS to identify innovative solutions for clients and staff (5%)

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Public speaking

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Posting ID22007-Posted09/30/2026-Health & Human Services Comm-UR Wav & Comm Srvs Ran Mmt St-Community and Social Services-Eligible for Telework- Other Locations (243) - Additional Shifts available (1) -b. $3000 - $4999 per month

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage .

Functional Title: Program Specialist IVJob Title: Program Specialist IVAgency: Health & Human Services CommDepartment: UR Wav & Comm Srvs Ran Mmt StPosting Number: 22007Closing Date: 10/14/2026Posting Audience: Internal and ExternalOccupational Category: Community and Social ServicesSalary Range: $4,263.16-$6,779.25Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-20Shift: DayAdditional Shift: Days (First)Telework: Eligible for TeleworkTravel: Up to 5%Regular/Temporary: RegularFull Time/Part Time: Full timeFLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: NonexemptFacility Location: Job Location City: LUBBOCKJob Location Address: 6302 IOLA AVEOther Locations: Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; ZapataMOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Job Description:

The Program Specialist IV - Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) department under the Office of Medical Director seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Specialist IV. MCS is driven by its mission to deliver quality, cost-effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by providing oversight and monitoring of provider requirements with Individual Plans of Care (IPC), and Level of Care/Level of Need (LOC/LON) determinations.

Under supervision of the LON Manager III of the Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) Waivers, Community Services/Hospice/Utilization Review Unit, Utilization Management and Review Section, Medicaid and Chip Services of Health and Human Services; the Program Specialist IV position performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance. Work involves planning, developing and implementing departmental and agency programs and providing consultative services and technical assistance to HHSC program staff, HHSC management staff, contracted entities, local intellectual and developmental disability authority (LIDDA) staff, the Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), and Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/ID) provider base, advocacy groups, stakeholders, and program participants and their families. Completes desk reviews of Individual Plans of Care (IPC) and Levels of Need (LON) in compliance with HHSC rules, policies and procedures related to IPCs and LONs. Assists in preparation of hearing packets and scripts and attends fair hearings to support reviewers or cover hearings when staff are not available. Testifies on behalf of the agency in administrative hearings due to LON denials. Evaluates IPC and LON submissions to provide analysis of trends to resolve technical problems, identify opportunities for improvement and to make recommendations for improvements in utilization review processes. Staffs cases and reviews correspondence for reviewers and nurses.

The Program Specialist IV works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The ideal candidate thrives in an environment that emphasizes teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy.

Essential Job Functions:

Reviews Level of Need requests tied to provider reimbursement for the Home and Community-based Services (HCS), and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) programs, as well as for persons in Intermediate Care Facilities for persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IID). A change in level of need can be requested by a person's service planning team at any time and will be reviewed by the Program Specialist IV. 40%

Consults with public and private agencies involved with HCS, TxHmL and ICF/IID to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss outcomes of Level of Need reviews. IDD UR is responsible for providing education and technical assistance to both external and internal stakeholders for Level of Need requests, especially for cases that result in denial or authorization of an LON at a level lower than the requested LON. 20%

Ensures compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules; and takes corrective action(s) as needed. 10%

Provides feedback and guidance to program staff regarding challenging reviews and cases. Requirements may also include providing technical assistance to internal staff, external stakeholders and families on the LON process, submission standards, and rules and regulations guiding the program and LON. 10%

Serves as a Subject Matter Expert and attends meetings with other program areas including Long Term Services and Supports Policy, Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA), Contract Accountability and Provider Monitoring (CAPM), Provider Claims Services, etc. tied to LON review outcomes and provider reimbursement rates. 5%

Assists with responses to legislative, ombudsman and other external inquiries or complaints including writing well written responses. Tracks trends to determine needs for developing and revising program or policy needs. Develops and revises program manual content. Escalates concerns to manager/director for concerns that may impact HHSC or executive leadership. 5%

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. 5%

Works collaboratively across MCS to identify innovate and effective solutions for clients and staff. 5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the field from graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in human services or a related field with a minimum of one year of experience with persons with intellectual/development disabilities or related conditions required (to meet the requirements of a QIDP).

Knowledge of utilization review and / or HCS, TxHmL, CLASS, DBMD and ICF/ID program rules, service array and billing guidelines, local authority functions and waiver service system.

Awareness of federal and state laws relating to long term care and other Medicaid and non-Medicaid services and programs.

Skill or experience with public speaking or testifying in hearings.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to multi-task, handle stress and meet deadlines.

Ability to operate computers and experience using Microsoft Office products.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Qualification as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) as defined in 42 Code of Federal Regulations 483.430(a) required.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Qualification as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) as defined in 42 Code of Federal Regulations 483.430(a) required.

At least one year of experience working with persons with intellectual/disabilities or related conditions preferred.

At least one year of experience of utilization review, or HCS, TxHmL, CLASS, DBMD or ICF/ID program rules, service array and billing guidelines, local authority functions or experience in the waiver service system.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions .

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.