Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Health Services Consultant I

Opening Date: April 7, 2023

Closing Date: April 21, 2023

Job Class Code: 4381
Grade: 07-22
Salary: $51,022.40 - $66,872.00

Position Number: 2000-2338

Location: Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, or Bangor

**This is a nursing position and does not require direct care, shift, or holiday work**

We are looking for a professional who thrives in a team environment, yet works well independently, to support the Department of Health and Human Service’s mission to promote health and safety for all Maine people.

What can you expect to do as a Long-Term Care Surveyor?

• Work as part of a team of surveyors, conducting licensing inspections and investigating complaints (aka “allegations”) about care, in nursing homes and some assisted living facilities;
• Complete reports, known as “Statements of Deficiencies,” outlining what, if any, rules/regulations facilities failed to follow;
• Interview complainants and witnesses to obtain information regarding allegations;
• Participate in training, including mandatory on-line training required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”);
• Complete CMS’s 2.5-hour Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT) within 1 year of date of hire:
• Ensure that facilities are complying with both federal and State licensing requirements; and
• Provide technical assistance to facilities to ensure they understand those regulations.

This position does require statewide travel and occasional overnight stays; in addition, there may be a necessity to conduct an occasional early morning, night, or weekend survey.

About DHHS: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Registered Nurse and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of nursing and/or in the delivery of health care services.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (This must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class)

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Maine, as issued by the State Board of Nursing.

Preferred candidates will also have:

• Experience working in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, ambulatory surgical centers, and/or other healthcare facilities;
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills;
• Demonstrated ability to write concisely, clearly, and with correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate politely, professionally, and effectively in writing and verbally;
• Demonstrated ability to draw valid conclusions and make independent decisions; and
• Demonstrated ability to be a positive team member.

For questions about either of these positions, please contact Debra Leslie, Health Services Supervisor, via email to Debra.Leslie@Maine.gov.

• To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application

To request a paper application, please contact Ashley.Smith@Maine.gov.

Please submit all documents or files in a PDF or Word format.

Benefits

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,150.80-$11,942.16 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 13.16% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.