Job Description

Competition # : 40509

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b05-Oct-23 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we are committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, continuing care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Department of Health and Wellness as a Program Administration Officer for Physician Services. In this position, you will be responsible for the delivery of a portfolio of funding programs on behalf of the Government, in accordance with federal/provincial acts, regulations and/or negotiated agreements. You are responsible for the operational, implementation, accountability and reconciliation requirements of a portfolio of funding programs in accordance with relevant legislation, the Physician Agreement, the Maritime Resident Doctors Agreement, the Clinical Academic Funding Plan Agreement, and commitments held within said laws and agreements. Program Administration Officers provide support to negotiations and work groups/committees as required, are responsible for implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and improving funding programs and ensuring that accurate and accountable remuneration models are in place.

Primary Accountabilities

The Program Administration Officer will be accountable for their respective areas of responsibility, ensure they are kept apprised of Branch programs and activities and ensure positive stakeholder relationships are developed and maintained. Key accountabilities include:

• Day-to-day primary administration of funding programs within the Physician Services portfolio (i.e., , Return of Service Agreements, Master Agreement programs, etc.) with physicians and physician groups; secondary support as needed;
• Promote and enhance various return of service incentive programs by conducting daily administrative operational duties, such as, but not limited to, answer inquiries, develop communication materials, assess applications\xe2\x80\x99 eligibility, create agreement documents for manager\xe2\x80\x99s review, and maintain timely communication with clients;
• Conduct research, analyze collected information, coordinate with cross-functional staff, and provide assistance in matters related to return of service;
• Maintain service standards in accordance with the branch\xe2\x80\x99s commitment to the timeliness and completeness in processing clients\xe2\x80\x99 applications;
• First line of contact for physicians and Nova Scotia Health Authority/lWK regarding contract issues, and working to address financial issues relating to various program areas;
• Positive working relationship with our partner, Medavie Bluecross, for the purposes of physician payments, resolution of issues and accountability;
• Supporting the Program Managers, Directors and Senior Leadership;
• Supporting and backfilling program administration colleagues (vacation, illness, etc.);
• Continuous improvement in the level of accountability for the portfolio of funding programs by assessing compliance with contract deliverables and implementing mechanisms that assist with the planning, administration, monitoring, review and improvement of individual physician and group funding arrangements;
• Ensuring standards are met in line with relevant legislation, negotiated agreements and accountability frameworks;
• Identifying the shortcomings, suggesting improvements and implementing approved revisions to current compliance processes, systems and procedures for the program administration function;
• Ensuring effective financial management through regular analysis of funding programs, quarterly/annual reconciliations, etc.;
• Mentoring, coaching, and monitoring fellow team members to facilitate program objectives;
• Promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating leadership competencies, and respecting corporate human resources practices; and
• Collaborating with peers within/outside the Branch on health system initiatives, new funding requests, operational processes, etc.

Qualifications and Experience

Ideally you would hold a bachelor\'s degree in a health or business administration discipline. You will have a minimum of five years of related experience including one or more years with principal duties similar to those of this position and in a similar setting (e.g., government or health sector with a focus on physician or other professional compensation systems) providing senior professional services in program/policy development, administration, and evaluation. Candidates possessing a master\'s degree must possess a minimum of three years of related experience. Candidates relying on equivalencies must ensure their application letter and accompanying resume clearly outlines such.

The successful candidates must be effective communicators with above average skills in problem solving, program analysis, Microsoft Office (including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), data analysis/management, financial analysis/management and work group leadership/supervision. All these skills must be demonstrated in your work experience to date. Advanced skills in MS Excel and Access are preferred. Project management experience and training would also be considered assets for this position.

Critical thinking and excellent analytical skills are necessary to meet both short and long-term budget, contract, and physician remuneration goals, as well as to solve contract interpretation issues. Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication and negotiation skills are essential. You must be able to demonstrate a commitment to professional development, resourcefulness, sound judgment, problem-solving and initiative to be considered for this position.

This is a fast pace, high profile Branch. The team works under tight time constraints and competing priorities, therefore the ability to administrate a diverse number of programs and tasks requiring ongoing planning/monitoring/implementing will be key to your success. You also possess sound judgment when making decisions and have strong relationship building and verbal/written communication skills. Conflict resolution skills are required to effectively address questions and concerns from clients and stakeholders. You will be proficient at engaging your team/stakeholders and influencing others to build support.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Related equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A related master\'s degree and three (3) years of related experience.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting sitting for long periods of time. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. You may be required to work overtime on occasions.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward\xc2\xad thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 13

Salary Range: $2,543.38 - $3,091.70 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia