Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2 (20036229)

State of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 43,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Paid time off and holidays

Education and development

Job summary

State of Ohio is seeking a Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2 in Columbus to support Medicaid-related waivers and prior authorizations. The role involves reviewing assessments, preparing hearing documentation, and coordinating with county boards of developmental disabilities.

The position requires a graduate degree in a human services field and may involve travel and hearings testimony. Work hours are 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., with union 1199 and full-time status.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a human service area as required by an accredited college or university.
• Or a graduate degree that leads to licensure as a licensed professional counselor by the Ohio Counselor & Social Worker Board.
• Or completion of graduate degree in other related vocational rehabilitation areas (e.g., rehabilitation management/administration).
• Or completion of graduate field of study in human services area and 12 months' experience as Rehabilitation Program Specialist 1.

Responsibilities

• Act as an RPS2 covering various areas of the Medicaid Unit and handle Prior Authorization, NTI, and SFBAO duties.
• Review assessments and requests for PA, NTI and SFBAO for initial and ongoing budget review of HCBS Waivers.
• Prepare hearing rights and summaries for denials and hearings at the Bureau of State Hearings.
• Coordinate with CB/DDs and review documentation to determine approval criteria for waivers and related services.
• Provide testimony at hearings when required and advise staff on Medicaid processes and policies.

Skills

Counseling and Rehabilitation

Attention to Detail

Ethics and Values

Problem Solving

Time Management

Communications

Education

Graduate degree in human services

Licensed professional counselor licensure (Ohio)**

Tools

OBS (Ohio Benefits System)

Medicaid Systems

DODD applications (PA, NTI, SFBAO)

Job description

Job Description - Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2 (20036229) (2600064H)

Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2 (20036229) ( 2600064H )

Organization

Developmental Disabilities - Central Office

Unposting Date

Sep 4, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Work Location

James A Rhodes Office Tower 13 30 East Broad Street 13th Floor Columbus 43215

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation : $36.01/Hourly

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours : 8 A.M - 5 P.M

Union : 1199

Primary Job Skill

Counseling and Rehabilitation

Technical Skills : Communications

Professional Skills : Attention to Detail, Ethics and Values, Problem Solving, Time Management

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) mission is to partner with people and communities to support Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families in realizing their version of a good life.

Ohio is the heart of opportunity, and we envision Ohio as the best place in the nation for people with developmental disabilities to thrive. Our core values reflect our focus on the experience of each person we support:

• Inclusion


• Partnership


• Respect

The Division of Medicaid Development and Administration works with state agency personnel and stakeholders to develop policies related to Medicaid funded services for people with developmental disabilities.

What You’ll Do

Act as an RPS2 covering various areas of the Medicaid Unit to ensure that workflow is current. Will work with supervisor for assignments in all the areas within the division that include Prior Authorization (PA), Nursing Tasking Inventory (NTI), State Funded Behavioral Add-on (SFBAO) and perform all duties of the RPS2.

Including but not limited to: Reviewing assessments and/request to make determinations related to requests for PA, NTI, and SFBAO; submitted by county boards of developmental disabilities (CBDDs) for initial & ongoing budget review of Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers.

Prepares correspondence and hearing rights to send to individuals who are denied services or found to no longer meet necessary requirements for services. Prepares hearing summaries and supporting documentation for hearings to submit to the Bureau of State Hearings.

Reviews assessments submitted by CBDDs & Develops, coordinates, monitors reviews & evaluates Medicaid Home and Community-based Services Waiver prior authorization process & procedures. Reviews documentation provided by the appropriate county board of developmental disabilities (CB/DD) to determine if approval criteria are met utilizing federal & state regulations. Coordinates with department consultants for programmatic support & assistance with questionable cases or for general consultation. Evaluates & makes recommendations of approval of prior authorization, state-funded behavior addons, and nursing waiver budgets when appropriate.

Makes recommendations for action resulting from information gathered through review process & participates in implementation of such action.

Conducts reviews in accordance with department’s polices & procedures. Develops and write reports in accordance with office procedures. Performs records/documentation development/maintenance functions (e.g. develops, sends & receives email & phone communications from involved parties); uses the appropriate DODD applications (including, but not limited to, prior authorizations, state-funded behavior addons, and nursing task inventory processes.

Collaborates with other department/division staff regarding relationship of prior authorization approval to Payment Authorization of Waiver Services (PAWS). Provides testimony at hearings, if necessary.

Provides support to staff throughout the Department whom have assigned responsibility for the administration of Medicaid processes & procedures (e.g., reviewing & revising policies & procedures related Prior Authorization, nursing and Waiver, to inform policy analysis & development).

Monitors & evaluates systems activities of local Department of Job & Family Services (DJFS) case workers through Ohio Benefits System (OBS) and Medicaid Systems (e.g., new applications, Medicaid eligibility determinations, appeals, etc.)

Advises state & local staff on correct procedures to follow to assist applicants to obtain Medicaid eligibility, provides technical assistance & assists in problem solving between DJFS case workers or other systems. Implements program policy & procedures that impact waiver eligibility, and Nursing. Provides testimony at hearings, if necessary.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage


• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period


• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year


• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave


• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)


• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Graduate degree in a human service area (i.e., rehabilitation counseling, special education, guidance & counseling, psychology, social work, child & family community services) as required by an accredited college or university

-Or a graduate degree that leads to licensure as a licensed professional counselor by the Ohio Counselor & Social Worker Board.

-Or completion of graduate degree in other related vocational rehabilitation areas (e.g., rehabilitation management/administration from an accredited college or university).

-Or completion of graduate field of study in human services area (i.e., same examples as cited previously) as required by accredited college or university AND 12 months' experience as Rehabilitation Program Specialist 1, 69731.

-Or in Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities only, 4 years' experience in private or governmental agency responsible for habilitative &/or rehabilitative programs development in developmental disabilities (i.e., working with individuals with developmental disabilities) AND bachelor’s degree in professional human services field (e.g., psychology, education, anthropology) in accordance with provisions of 42 CFR 483.430(b)(5)(x) & interpretive guidelines issued by centers for Medicaid & Medicare services.

Job Skills: Counseling and Rehabilitation, Attention to detail, Critical thinking, Establishing relationships, Ethics and value, Problem solving, Time management

Supplemental Information

• Will require travel throughout State of Ohio & may require overnight stay. Must be willing & able to secure a Driver License OR supply your own transportation.


• The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Rule 5123-2-02, “Background Investigations for Employment,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Developmental Disabilities.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.