Program Specialist 3#26-27251

Home-Headquarter, PA

Hybrid

JOB OPENING TYPE

NASPO

Segment:

State and Local Job Description

DEPARTMENT OF AGING

EDUCATION & OUTREACH OFFICE

PENNSYLVANIA

SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL

STATEMENT

OF WORK - PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3

JOB TITLE:

SMP Regional Program Specialist - Northwest (Program Specialist 3)

AGENCY:

Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), Education and Outreach Office

INITIATIVE

Pennsylvania Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

POSITION TYPE

Contracted Full-Time / Monday-Friday 37.5 hours (8:00am-4:30pm with one

hour lunch 12pm-1pm)

NUMBER OF POSITIONS

One Full-time

PROJECT DURATION

June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2028

START DATE:

August 31, 2026

POSITION

BACKGROUND

This contracted position is responsible for delivering Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Services providing group education and one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers about how to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. This position is responsible for collecting and analyzing information to evaluate program administration and to determine compliance with federal, state, and departmental regulations and objectives;

researching, analyzing, and reviewing data to develop and recommend policies and procedures;developing reports on program effectiveness; resolving beneficiary complaints and conducting outreach; assisting in program planning, reporting, and compliance efforts; and recruiting, training, and managing volunteers within their assigned region. The incumbent plays an important role by focusing on community outreach and Medicare beneficiary empowerment with the goal of

stopping fraud before it occurs. The incumbent consults with the other Regional Program Specialists and the SMP Project Manager housed in PDA's Education and Outreach Office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in human services providing human services-related research, outreach, or social services to clients, and a bachelor's degree in communications, social work, public health, or a related field.

Equivalent experience and training may be considered.

Preferred:

• Prior experience working within a statewide human services program as a social worker, outreach specialist, or program specialist.
  
• Knowledge of volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and management practices.
  
• Knowledge of the goals, objectives, principles, and practices of human services administration and program operations.
  
• Success managing multiple priorities through organization and communication.

DUTIES

Administrative:

• Research and analyze program data, issues, and trends to develop recommendations for program improvements.
  
• Evaluate regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure conformance with department objectives.
  
• Recommend legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to enhance SMP services.
  
• Record and enter into SMP's database outreach, interaction, and complex case data
  following standardized reporting formats.
  
• Successfully complete SMP foundations training and SMP group outreach training.
  
• Successfully complete SMP complex interactions training and SMP counselor training.
  
• Successfully complete required ACL annual privacy and confidentiality training.
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Complex Case Work:

• Provide one-on-one beneficiary support and resolve beneficiary inquiries for complex
  cases of healthcare billing errors, fraud, and abuse in all statewide regions.
  
• Research and interpret Medicare rules and guidelines, applying knowledge as needed to
  coordinate with external parties and to resolve complex cases.
  
• Facilitate referrals to federal and state agencies and law enforcement when appropriate.
  
• Help individuals and their loved ones understand how to review their healthcare
  statements and bills for accuracy and how to identify and avoid potential fraud schemes.

Volunteer Management:

• Recruit, train, and retain a sufficient, effective, and representative volunteer workforce.
  
• Utilize Administration for Community Living's (ACL) Volunteer Risk and Program
  Management (VRPM) in volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and management efforts.
  
• Assist volunteers with securing appropriate outreach opportunities to ensure the SMP
  message is reaching communities throughout the region.
  
• Assist in planning and implementing volunteer learning opportunities and training.

Outreach and Partnerships:

• Assist with determining state outreach plans, materials, and campaigns, and assist with
  the development of reporting requirements.
  
• Foster cooperative relationships with statewide organizations to raise SMP awareness.
  
• Identify and conduct events to educate the public on healthcare fraud, abuse, and errors.
  
• Visit Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to provide technical assistance and consultation.
  
• Provides consultation and develops recommendations concerning aging services
  proposals from agencies, colleges, universities, and other sources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and management within identified region.
  
• Conduct complex casework in all statewide regions.
  
• Utilize a variety of computer software programs, including PDA's standardized
  documentation system (Microsoft Office Suite) with a secure internet connection.
  
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Accurately and timely record information and meet all legal and statutory timeframes.
  
• Travel within identified region, approximately 50% of business hours.

JOB LOCATION

This full-time position is located in the Northwestern Pennsylvania region (Clearfield, Jefferson,

Elk, Cameron, Potter, Mckean, Forest, Clarion, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren,

Crawford, and Erie). The incumbent will work from home or be traveling in the field depending on

weekly activities. Outreach and education activities are conducted both virtually and in-person HHQ in one of the counties: Clearfield, Jefferson, Elk, Cameron, Potter, Mckean, Forest, Clarion, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren, Crawford, or Erie). Travel within these counties is required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.