Job Description

Posting number: 2026-08279

Department: Health Care Authority

Division: BHR

Job classification: HEALTH CARE PROGRAM MANAGER

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Mental Health, Miscellaneous, Project Management, Grants Administration, Health Care Support, Program Management, Payroll/Benefits Administration

Summary

BH-ASO Health Care Program Manager

This is a full-time, permanent, remote position. Employees may occasionally be asked to attend an in-person meeting or events based on business needs.

All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.

The Opportunity

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is seeking a Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BH-ASO) Health Care Program Manager to serve as the statewide subject matter expert on Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams (MRRCT) and Community-Based Crisis Teams (CBCT). In this role, you will lead implementation of E2SHB 1134 (2023), guide regional crisis teams through HCA's endorsement process, and provide technical assistance and program oversight so crisis programs meet statutory requirements and performance standards. You will also help develop contract language, participate in health care reform workgroups, and respond to legislative requests related to this work.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as a primary DBHR contract contact and, with other HCA divisions and DBHR BH-ASO Health Care Program Managers, establish and monitor a statewide performance program for endorsed mobile rapid response crisis teams and community-based crisis teams.
• Oversee contract language for grants that support crisis teams working toward endorsement, and provide technical assistance on related contract amendments.
• Develop and implement processes to issue enhanced-rate performance payments to endorsed crisis teams, including supplemental payments for teams that meet response time and en route time standards.
• Ensure the program maximizes the state's ability to receive federal matching funds and complies with federal and state requirements, including the Balanced Budget Act, Public Disclosure, and HIPAA.
• Develop and review monitoring tools to ensure quality of care and adherence to best practices, and provide technical assistance and corrective action when contract requirements are not met.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for quality development, assessment, and performance of endorsed crisis teams.
• Collaborate with the Medicaid Programs Division, Financial Services Division, Office of Tribal Affairs, and other HCA teams on contract language and behavioral health system oversight.
• Provide subject matter input on statewide policy and legislation, and recommend improvements to programs, policies, and contracts.
• Support strategic planning and BH-ASO contracting process improvements, and act as a liaison between behavioral health and physical health care services, including managed care.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• You'll shape how Washington responds to people in a behavioral health crisis, helping crisis teams across the state deliver timely, high-quality care.
• You'll be the statewide expert on a high-impact legislative initiative, from implementation through performance.
• You'll collaborate across HCA divisions, BH-ASOs, Tribes, and community partners on work that directly affects client outcomes.
• You'll do meaningful public service work in a remote position, with alternative work schedules available based on business needs.

What You Bring:

You are an experienced behavioral health professional with a background in crisis services, program oversight, and/or health care policy. You turn legislative direction and policy into practical program strategies, track performance, and use data to drive continuous improvement. You build strong working relationships across agencies and communities, communicate clearly with a variety of audiences, and approach your work with cultural humility and an equity lens.

Required Qualifications

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.

• Statewide Health Care Program Management: Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, administer, and evaluate complex statewide health care programs, establishing program goals, priorities, work plans, performance expectations, and operational strategies that support agency objectives.
• Strategic Planning and Program Development: Demonstrated ability to translate organizational priorities, legislative direction, health care policy, and emerging program needs into short- and long-term strategies, program objectives, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Policy, Legislative, and Regulatory Leadership: Demonstrated ability to analyze complex state and federal health care requirements, proposed legislation, administrative rules, and policy changes and provide authoritative recommendations regarding program impacts, implementation strategies, risks, and administrative feasibility.
• Fiscal and Resource Management: Demonstrated ability to manage program budgets, expenditures, contracts, staffing or other resources; establish priorities; evaluate competing demands; and allocate resources to achieve program objectives while maintaining fiscal and operational accountability.
• Program Performance and Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated ability to establish performance expectations and evaluate program quality, effectiveness, outcomes, risks, and operational performance using qualitative and quantitative information to drive continuous program improvement.
• Risk Management and Organizational Accountability: Demonstrated ability to identify and manage significant programmatic, regulatory, fiscal, contractual, operational, and reputational risks and establish controls, mitigation strategies, and corrective actions that protect program integrity and support organizational objectives.

Required Competencies:

Equity lens – All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.

The ability to take action to learn and grow – You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you’ve learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.

The ability to take action to meet the needs of others – You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.

• Demonstrated experience providing outreach and education regarding behavioral health programs in community settings, including collaboration with providers, Tribal entities, Urban Indian Health Organizations, Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations (BH-ASOs), and other partners involved in Integrated Managed Care.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating health care programs in community-based settings.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse client populations, including individuals with behavioral health needs, and applying cultural competency when engaging with ethnically and culturally diverse communities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizational and service-delivery systems, build effective teams, and align internal and external resources to support program development and the delivery of quality health care services to high-risk populations.
• Demonstrated experience participating in and facilitating meetings, workgroups, and task forces involving internal and external partners at the state and local levels.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing data and providing technical assistance related to data collection, reporting, and submission requirements.
• Demonstrated experience supporting health services program development, including contract procurement, development, administration, monitoring, and oversight of programs serving Medical Assistance clients, including managed care programs.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to Medicaid and behavioral health care programs.
• Demonstrated experience preparing technical and non-technical reports and communications tailored to a variety of audiences, including individuals with varying levels of health literacy, executive leadership, internal staff, contractors, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to apply creative and effective problem-solving strategies when working across behavioral health, community services, health care, and other service-delivery systems supporting low-income and high-risk populations.

About the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR)

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) provides support for substance use treatment, mental health services, and problem gambling services through prevention, treatment, peer, and recovery support. Programs promote strategies that support healthy lifestyles by preventing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, supporting recovery from substance use, promoting recovery and resiliency, reducing stigma, and mitigating the effects of problem gambling on the individual and family. DBHR brings operational elements such as substance use and mental health into closer working relations to serve individuals more effectively and efficiently. The BH-ASO Health Care Program Manager is located within the Operations section of DBHR and is supervised by the Behavioral Health Community Care Contract Monitoring Supervisor.

Supplemental information

The Washington State Health Care Authority:

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington.

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As the State’s largest health care purchaser and behavioral health authority, HCA serves nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, and behavioral health services. Through this work, HCA purchases and coordinated care coverage, supports behavioral health prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery and helps strengthen access to high -quality care across Washington.

More than a benefits package:

We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future. Learn more about why HCA by visiting the Voices of HCA and the "Who we are" section of our website.

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Work Location and Schedule:

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week remote position. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs and supervisor approval. In this role you will regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace

The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work.

Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.

Application Directions:

To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• Three (3) professional references: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application. We require 3 professional references including at least one current or recent supervisor.

We encourage you to apply

If you meet the required qualifications for this position; we want to hear from you. Desired qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.

Veterans

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

Need accommodations or have questions?: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Lisa Fleming, Human Resource Consultant (Recruiter) at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject line.

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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