Senior Quality Program Specialist
Texas Health and Human Services
Get a reply from this employer — a resume and cover letter tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) seeks a highly qualified Program Specialist VII to advance quality improvement and value‑based initiatives for providers and organizations serving Texans. The role emphasizes senior‑level consultative work, research, project management, policy analysis, and cross‑team collaboration.
It serves as liaison for the PCIAC and leads quarterly meetings, reporting to the Manager of Value‑Based Initiatives in the QDAR
Qualifications
- Five years’ professional experience involving research, analysis, and report development.
- Experience with Medicaid/ CHIP programs preferred.
- Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university.
Responsibilities
- Leads and manages quality improvement and value‑based projects under the office’s purview, including implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Oversees and conducts assessments and evaluations of quality improvement projects, value‑based payment models, and other initiatives.
- Analyzes stakeholder input, legislative proposals, data, studies, and other information to develop recommendations for value‑based and quality initiatives.
- Performs ad‑hoc analysis and interpretation of data related to performance indicators and liaises with HHSC staff and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrates commitment to HHSC values and provides outstanding customer service.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Excellent health benefits.
Date: Sep 9, 2026
Location: AUSTIN, TX
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.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Specialist VII. MCS is driven by its mission to deliver high quality, cost‑effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by advancing quality improvement and value‑based initiatives that are supported by the best available evidence and data for Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), hospitals, and other health care related providers and organizations. The work is often team‑based involving highly advanced (senior‑level) consultative services, research, project management, policy analysis, process mapping, report writing and technical assistance work. Duties include: planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing complex quality initiatives in Medicaid/CHIP and HHS Enterprise programs and providing highly advanced consultative, analytical, and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, advisory committees, and the public. This position serves as the liaison for the HHSC Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee (PCIAC) and is responsible for planning and overseeing PCIAC quarterly meetings, an annual palliative care continuing education event, and development of a biennial committee report to the Texas Legislature. The position continuously assesses Medicaid/CHIP and HHS programs, convenes and leads groups of internal and external stakeholders and experts, and proposes and leads initiatives, activities, and collaborations for improving quality and value. Work involves specialized knowledge on healthcare quality improvement and value‑based payment, research and analytic methods, contract management, and Medicaid/CHIP policy and finance. This position will also be responsible for the development of process documents and policies and procedures for all VBI projects, which require extensive cross‑team collaboration. 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.
The Program Specialist VII reports to the Manager of Value‑Based Initiatives (VBI) within the MCS Quality Data Analytics and Reporting (QDAR) department. This office supports agency efforts to transition Medicaid to a value‑based system offering better care, smarter spending, and healthier people and communities. The position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, leading projects in coordination with staff across the HHS system, other agencies, academic institutions, contractors, HHSC advisory committees, and other health care stakeholder groups.
EJF 1 (30%) Leads and manages quality improvement and value‑based projects under the office’s purview, including implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Projects involve coordination and collaboration with HHS offices; partnering agencies; universities; advisory committees, primarily the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council, with assistance to other advisory committees as needed; and other stakeholders. Develop specialized projects pertaining to quality initiatives. Creates process maps and develops documentation related to VBI projects.
EJF 2 (25%) Oversees and conducts assessments and evaluations of quality improvement projects, value‑based payment models, and other initiatives. Leads and coordinates research on best practices in advancing value in healthcare, specifically Medicaid/ CHIP. Implements effective techniques for evaluating quality programs and value‑based payment methodologies and provides guidance and recommendations to staff. Manages projects involving the Medicaid External Quality Review Organization and other contractors conducting research, analysis, and quality improvement work on behalf of HHSC.
EJF 3 (20%) Analyzes stakeholder input, legislative proposals, data, studies, and other available information to develop recommendations to guide the implementation, improvement, and expansion or reduction of value‑based and quality improvement initiatives. Develops and oversees the completion of related reports and studies, and multiple legislative reports, including the Biennial Report on Quality Initiatives and the PCIAC biennial legislative report.
EJF 4 (15%) Performs ad‑hoc analysis and interpretation of data related to performance and quality indicators from the TMHP data warehouse, quality of care specifications, and ICHP produced data/reports, as well as other internally generated data/analysis or data/analysis from publicly available sources. Liaisons with HHS staff, other agency staff, and external stakeholders to provide requested policy and data research and analyses.
EJF 5 (10%) Demonstrates commitment to the values of MCS and HHSC, including showing initiative to take on new projects, being team‑oriented, and providing outstanding customer service. Performs other duties as assigned.
- Ability to work collaboratively across MCS to accomplish objectives
- Ability to implement creative solutions to problems with a keen attention to detail
- Ability to balance team and individual responsibilities
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare, and other health care programs and systems
- Knowledge of scientific research methods
- Knowledge of measures or indicators of public health and / or healthcare quality and outcomes
- Knowledge of HHSC and general contract development and management practices
- Knowledge of project management practices
- Skill with visualization or presentations software such as at Tableau, Power BI or PowerPoint
- Ability to research, write, and produce professional level reports, articles, and other documents
- Ability to research and understand technical and professional literature and adapt appropriate concepts to evaluation, analytic, and other projects
- Ability to plan, organize, and manage projects and to use related software and tools
- Ability to work in a team and to communicate effectively
- Ability to exercise independent judgment
- Ability to maintain detailed and organized documentation of projects
- Ability to interact with multiple and diverse stakeholders and stakeholder groups
- Ability to train and lead staff on team‑based projects
Five years’ professional experience involving research, analysis, and report development. Three of these years should involve significant experience with commercial, federal, state, or non‑profit health related programs or organizations. Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework related to position. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
N/A
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, and staff are required to work in the Austin state office in accordance with division guidance. Telework availability is subject to agency policy and is not guaranteed.
- Excellent health benefits.
- Lifetime monthly retirement annuity, and
- Generous time off benefits.
- Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth or knowledge of the Texas Medicaid program and your career advancement.
- Having a profound impact on the lives of thousands of Medicaid clients that depend on Medicaid services throughout Texas.
- Being on the ground level of healthcare quality implementation, including the opportunity to work closely with stakeholders such as federal partners, providers, advocates, managedcare organizations, and other healthcare contractors.
- Being part of a team at the forefront of interpreting, implementing, and developing quality initiatives that have a statewide impact.
- The opportunity to learn and engage with multiple domains of the healthcare delivery system, including managed care, fee‑for‑service, federal/state Medicaid partnerships and other activities related to the administration of the Medicaid program.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
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.
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.
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
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.
Austin
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
