Job Specification Details

This position provides professional level oversight to all clinical programs within Children with Special Health Needs (CSHN). CSHN is a public health program which supports children and youth with special health needs by ensuring comprehensive, community-based, and family-centered services. CSHN also engages in systems improvement projects in partnership with an array of statewide stakeholders, provider networks, and advocates. 

The clinical services provided by Children with Special Health Needs include: Care Coordination for children with high medical needs and/or neurodevelopmental  conditions, Personal Care Services (provides support to children under the age of 21 who need help with their activities of daily living), High Tech Nursing (RN level nursing care to a small population of medically fragile children cared for in their home), Pediatric Palliative Care Program (provides added layer of support to children living with life-limiting chronic illness and their families), Newborn Screening Program (conducts at-birth screens for range of genetic conditions). The Director provides direction and leadership to the ongoing operations and expansion of all clinical initiatives with clear expectations, timelines, and outcome measures.

The Clinical Services Director provides direct supervision to the supervisors of all above mentioned clinical services. The Director meets regularly with all clinical supervisors and provides clear expectations of program productivity and outcome measures. The Director provides oversight to clinical staff in developing tools to measure the impact of services. Emphasis is on maintaining high quality of documentation regarding scope of work and time management.

The Director builds and maintains relationships with key community partners to actively develop and advance a strategic plan to meet the needs of children with special health needs in Vermont. This includes on-going programmatic meetings with Vermont Children’s Hospital, The Vermont Childrens Health Improvement Project (VCHIP), Children’s Integrated Services, the Vermont Family Network, and a host of providers pursuant to the State’s Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) mandate. The Director fosters collaborations with AHS sister departments, including the Department for Vermont Health Access, and the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. This position is key in presenting the “Face of CSHN” to the community as well as advancing the breadth and scope of the clinical services within CSHN.

All employees of AHS perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strength-based relationships and results orientation. Work is performed in the CSHN Burlington office under the supervision of an administrative superior, but with significant opportunity for individual discretion and judgment.

Works closely with the supervisors of each clinical service to provide oversight to the work being done as well as provide active promotion of these programs in the community. This entails providing effective supervision to other supervisors, adding an additional layer of leadership responsibilities to this position. 

Provides direct supervision to the manager/supervisor of each CSHN clinical service.  

Develops and maintains on-going and strong relationships with Vermont Children’s Hospital, Children’s Integrated Services Early Intervention, the Vermont Family Network and Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT). The focus of these relationships is to maintain an active presence in the development and implementation of services for the children with special health needs population. The Director is an integral player in the community as a visionary, and advocate for the Children with Special Health Needs population. 

Keeps current and promotes local and national research and evidence-based/informed strategies for working with children with special health needs.

Works closely with the Vermont Department of Health Access (Vermont Medicaid) to encourage adequate insurance coverage of children with special healthcare needs as it related to Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) mandate, as well as the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Participates in a management capacity, sitting on the Maternal and Child Health Division Leadership Team and representing the clinical services as they fit into the MCH Division as a whole. Emphasis will be given to maintaining quality and accountability as well as promoting the programs as they fit into the MCH Division’s strategic plan of increasing community capacity.

Responsible for the measurement of performance and outcomes across clinical service areas within the CSHN unit, including the development of measures, reporting, and ongoing quality improvement.

Initiates, develops and implements policies, procedures and programs as they relate to children with special health needs, child development and Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis Treatment (EPSDT). EPSDT installs an entitlement mandate for medically necessary pediatric Medicaid-covered services, meaning there is an obligation to quickly and effectively address barriers to access, such as waitlists and provider shortages. This position takes a leadership role in the State to find creative solutions to these and other barriers. 
Participates in the Maternal and Child Health Division Division’s strategic planning processes, quality improvement initiatives, and other division-wide activities, as needed.

Represents the Health Department, Maternal and Child Health Division at local, regional, and national meetings and conferences. Participate in national webinars and presentations. Perform related duties as necessary.

Duties primarily performed in standard office setting with a combination of office and in the field efforts for which a driver’s license will be required. Certain functions may require duty outside of normal work hours.

Thorough knowledge of human services principles, practices and goals. Considerable knowledge of human/health services delivery systems and core strategies and aspects of community-based care for maternal and child health needs

Ability to provide leadership and accountability

Strong supervision and leadership skills

Knowledge of public health principles and practices

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with health care providers, colleagues, stakeholders within and outside of state government, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including marginalized populations. Comfort with public speaking and promoting the Division in both small and large venues

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of general and specialized publics

Ability to engage and maintain connection with medical community and advocacy groups

Considerable knowledge of clinical aspects of maternal and child health, particularly child development and children with special health care needs

Ability to design and implement effective program evaluation; ability to collect and make meaningful use of data from multiple sources for planning and evaluation

Ability to conceptualize program processes and relationships along a total continuum from planning to evaluation

Capacity to write grants and contract agreements; ability to follow state and federal grant requirements, including reporting deadlines

Considerable knowledge of program evaluation procedures, including goal setting, measurement criteria, and analysis of results. Working knowledge of adult educational principles and training procedures

Ability to work independently as well as a member of a management team

Ability to communicate with clarity and persuasion, both orally and in writing to professional and lay audiences

Ability to perform job duties within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation

Demonstrated ability to implement population-level public health interventions in a culturally sensitive way; comfortable and experienced working with people from various backgrounds and cultures (including non-English speaking).

Masters Level Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nursing, or related field AND (2) years’ experience in a public health, education or human service organization INCLUDING one (1) at an administrative, consultative or planning level.

Experience in child and family services. 

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, pursuant to 20 V.S.A. 2056c or other applicable statutory authority, requires criminal record checks for all AHS positions, including motor vehicle driving record checks and national record checks where appropriate.