Job Description

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as:

• New Hire Premium +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position: Program Specialist I/II - Full Time

Compensation:

The estimated pay for this position is $27.7314 to $39.7649 The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

These are the second and third levels of the five level program series. The Program Specialist incorporates entry-level paraprofessionals through journey level specialists who work with minimum supervision. Advancement between levels I and II is considered on a merit basis and is subject to recommendation of the Department Head and approval by the Director of Personnel.

Program Specialist I:

This is the entry level of the paraprofessional program series. Program Specialist I incumbents perform entry-level paraprofessional level activities for an assigned specialized program. Incumbents work with less independence and discretion than Program Specialist II’s and are not expected to perform at the same skill level.

Program Specialist II:

This is the journey level of the paraprofessional program series. The Program Specialist II is distinguished from the Program Specialist I by its program interpretation and lead level responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

• Evaluates and assesses participant needs and/or eligibility for services based on established criteria, guidelines, and objectives; authorizes participation in programs; recruits potential participants into programs.
• Coordinates a variety of activities in assigned program area of responsibility, which may include: setting up mock oral boards; organizing and/or conducting client training; coordinating conferences; coordinating the delivery of curriculums and/or other multi-division sessions; monitoring licensure education requirements.
• Provides paraprofessional assistance, which may include: developing individual program plans; evaluating socioeconomic factors; determining level of client readiness and program commitment; maintaining accurate case files; preparing progress reports.
• Serves as a liaison with the community, local businesses, other agencies, internal divisions, and agency partners; notifies agencies of program changes.

Essential Functions (continued):

• Conducts research to keep abreast of latest developments in assigned area of responsibility.
• Provides information and assistance to program participants, potential participants and/or other interested parties; assists program participants in completing required documents including those utilized for eligibility determination.
• Monitors contracting agencies to ensure compliance with contract specifications.
• Performs individual and group orientations regarding program(s), benefits, and applicable participation requirements.
• Enters and retrieves a variety of data and information from databases.
• Prepares, processes, and maintains a variety of records and reports.

Other Functions:

• May collect and distribute medical resident schedules.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

Level I: High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent, and two (2) years of education, training and/or experience sufficient to obtain the knowledge and skill to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Level II: High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent, and three (3) years of education, training and/or experience sufficient to obtain the knowledge and skill to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Both Levels:

Qualifying related work experience may include, verifying documents to determine eligibility for benefits, social services and/or employment; conducting needs assessments; making referrals for services; interviewing clients, and providing program information to the public.

Employment Standards (continued):

Volunteer experience may be qualifying if confirmed in writing from a recognized organization.

Additional Requirements:

Some positions may require possession of a valid California Drivers License.

Knowledge of

Basic socioeconomic principles; individual and group behavior principles; community resources; public relations principles; interviewing techniques; applicable local, state, and federal guidelines, regulations, laws, and programs; case management principles;

Skill in

Using a computer and related software applications; conducting interviews with potential clients; preparing and delivering presentations; reading, comprehending, and explaining regulations and procedures; resolving conflict; speaking in public; recording client information; maintaining client files; and, communicating both orally and in writing sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.