03/10/1999 38027

DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE

DEFINITION: This is professional, administrative and analytical work performing quality assurance monitoring and providing technical assistance on county program operations in the field of alcohol and other drugs.

An employee in this class is responsible for providing consultative and liaison services, technical assistance and for conducting a comprehensive quality assurance review of local service delivery systems and service provisions included therein, of an assigned group of county programs. Work includes performing an on-site assessment of the county's service delivery system to ensure that community based services are available, accessible, and appropriate to the full continuum of care. Employees collaborate with other departmental staff in the performance of an on-site review to evaluate a county alcohol and other drugs program, to determine how well the county manages service delivery, to include program administration, progress achieved toward planned goals and objectives, and a review of service management principles. Results of the on-site assessment include identification of findings and report preparation with appropriate recommendations for continuous quality improvement in areas affecting the entire county service delivery system and efficiency of program operations. Work also includes a review of county program operations to ensure that departmental policy, program administration standards, funding requirements and established departmental rules and regulations are being met. Employees are expected to serve as a resource and provide advice to county program staff on a wide range of administrative and professional matters such as policy interpretation, service coordination, best practice, monitoring providers of service, and other topics that contribute to the achievement of county program objectives. Employees are expected to represent the interests of top management in relation to the local management entity and to operate in a politically sensitive environment. Employees are assigned work based on their county area assignment and as issues arise in particular locations. Work is performed independently and reviewed for conformance to overall program objectives by the immediate supervisor through reports and conferences.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Advises local alcohol and other drugs administrative units of federal and state requirements concerning planning, contract development, service delivery approaches and other aspects related to local alcohol and other drugs abuse programming.

Provides consultative services to local entities on a wide range of professional matters affecting service delivery and continuous quality improvement methods for client care approaches through policy interpretations, quality assurance monitoring, contract performance measures and program operational issues.

Provides technical assistance and advisory services to county alcohol and other drugs program administrators in the development or improvement of program access and service approaches to enhance availability or remove barriers affecting the delivery of services to alcohol and other drugs programs consumers.

Provides consultative services to county and service agency administrators, county commissioners, community planning groups, and other interested groups for the purpose of promotion, education or consultation in alcohol and other drugs programs and advises them on ways of improving their services to clients and the general population.

Participates in the review of program proposals and annual plan submissions by county programs and provides input and recommendations.

Conducts quality assurance assessments by scheduling on-site visits to review the operations of local alcohol and other drugs administrative units and the service delivery system to determine how well planned services are delivered within the county geographic area.

Conducts interviews with the county administrator and makes presentations to the governing body as the result of the quality assurance assessment visit, providing information and results of the findings from the visit and recommendations for areas of improvement where needed.

Provides direction, guidance and training to newly appointed county administrators in the role and function of the SCA and its relationship to managed care plans.

Interacts with staff from other state agencies on preparing contracts and their alcohol and other drugs program staff for managed care contract readiness and the implementation of managed behavioral health care projects.

Serves as a liaison with other agency staff where programs relate to the field of alcohol and other drugs.

Participates in conferences, seminars and symposiums pertaining to the field of alcohol and other drugs.

Performs other related duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of administration relating to alcohol and other drugs program services, goals and objectives.

Knowledge of federal and state legislation, policies and regulations governing alcohol and other drugs programs.

Knowledge of the processes and procedures utilized in monitoring performance of organizations.

Knowledge of management principles and administration.

Knowledge of basic psychological and social implications in the field of alcohol and other drugs.

Ability to learn the various management structures and functions of local alcohol and other drugs system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Ability to interact and conduct interviews and dialogue, exercise professional judgement and initiative in dealing with county administrators, members of their board, staff members and local county officials.

Ability to review plans and statistical reporting data and to draw conclusions and recommendations from the analysis.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental staff individuals at the county level.

Ability to express ideals effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to plan, organize and perform assignments effectively and independently.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two (2) years of professional experience in a social services agency providing direct social services, case management services, program planning, program monitoring, program evaluation, allied health services, or quality assurance services; and a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences, public health or human services administration, or a closely related field. Graduate course work in the behavioral sciences, public health or human services administration may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes two (2) years of professional experience in a social services agency providing direct social services, case management services, program planning, program monitoring, program evaluation, allied health services, or quality assurance services and 24 college level credits in the behavioral sciences, public health or human services administration.