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Under the general supervision of the Community Supports Manager, the Community Supports Specialist serves in a support capacity to Lakeland Care, Inc’s Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) staff and Provider Network, related to employment, day services, supported living, technology supports, community connections, and self-determination specialties. This position will maintain a network of high quality and culturally competent service providers to meet members’ needs, negotiate rates for service provider contracts, monitor provider contract compliance, and build positive working relationships with service providers, IDT staff, and others to develop and maintain community resources necessary to meet the needs of Lakeland Care, Inc’s (LCI) population. 

Essential Competencies:

Accountability

• Highly self-driven and accountable.
• Support expansion efforts within the current provider network as applicable. 
• Document and follow up on provider communication in the electronic provider record.
• Attend and assist in the coordination of provider forums and other activities to educate providers on agency procedures, service delivery, and contract standards.
• Provide support with the DHS pay for performance deliverables.  
• Assist with specialty Community Support department needs as assigned. 

Critical Thinking

• Complex problem solving and ability to identify obstacles and barriers with resolutions.
• Creative problem solving and flexibility in Rate Negotiations, Service Provision and Contracting.
• Negotiate rates with providers to ensure a cost-effective, robust, and high-quality network of providers.

Commitment to Excellence

• Support infrastructure for strong IDT and provider network support; be known as a trusted resource within LCI.
• Collaborate with the Community Supports Team to plan, implement, and evaluate department objectives.
• Support the development and ongoing maintenance of process documentation. 
• Follow contract completion and support new & existing providers through regularly scheduled follow up as applicable.
• Strong Customer Service focus and timely communication with all stakeholders.

Interpersonal Awareness

• Respect other opinions and concerns and value diversity in thought and action.
• Exhibit maturity, resiliency and sound judgment when dealing with organizational challenges.
• Demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation and continue to perform steadily and effectively. 
• Respond constructively to emotional situations, high pressure, and conflict.

Relationship Building

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with service providers. In collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) staff, meet with providers to understand service delivery, offer education related to contractual expectations, state regulations and suggest opportunities for improvement, when necessary.
• Collaborate with IDT staff; attend meetings, as necessary, to discuss provider updates and issues, educate on contracts, addendums, and provider resources and enhance understanding of provider expertise.

Organizational Regard

• Liaison with external stakeholders such as provider agencies, community provider associations, and others relating to scope of work as assigned.
• Train and collaborate with other members of the Community Supports Team as appropriate.
• Promote community awareness and connections.
• Attend professional meetings such as State work groups/meetings.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The attributes listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability appropriate for the level of work performed.

• Bachelor’s degree in a human service field, business related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience (includes knowledge, skills, and abilities). 
• Minimum of two (2) or more years of experience working with the population(s) served in the Family Care program preferred.  
• Strong financial analysis skills required.  
• Strong mediation and negotiation skills, including the demonstrated ability to successfully negotiate rates, are strongly preferred.  
• Knowledge of service provider industry, subcontracting, and licensing and regulatory systems beneficial.  
• Knowledge of network provider contracting in a managed care model is a plus. 
• Knowledge of community resources and social service agencies.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with providers, external stakeholders, and care management staff.
• Must have creative problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Must have excellent organization and interpersonal skills.
• Must be flexible and cooperative.  
• Must have strong written and oral communication skills.  
• Must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Must have exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and proof of adequate insurance required.