Prior Authorization Communications Consultant 3 – Project
This is a full-time remote position. Employees may occasionally be asked to attend an in-person meeting or event based on business needs.
This project position is funded through 06/30/2028.
All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.
The Opportunity
This project communications consultant will build a communications strategy from the ground-up for the Federal and State Interoperability and Prior Authorization Project (FSIPAP), in addition to supporting other clinical health care programs. You will use plain talk principles to share information with stakeholders, including providers, clients, the legislature, and other government officials, to name a few.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and maintain FSIPAP strategic communications plan, including mapping audiences, drafting key messages, and creating tactical plans.
- Plan, organize, and schedule mass email bulletins to inform project stakeholders of important updates.
- Use plain talk principles to translate highly complex, technical language into user-friendly communications.
- Support prior authorization-related change management needs, including developing and distributing internal messaging to HCA teams.
- Coordinate external communications to managed care organizations, providers, and health care associations.
- Coordinate the creation and distribution of prior authorization-related internal and external materials
- Coordinate and submit content updates for webpages.
- Support the development and editing of clinical and provider communications materials.
- Plan, organize, and schedule email bulletins to inform Apple Health billers, providers, and other stakeholders of program updates.
Why You’ll Love This Role
- Working with a dedicated and focused team, you will build out a strategic communications plan from the ground up with a limited scope.
- You will communicate important changes to health care infrastructure with providers and stakeholders across the state.
- You will manage highly visible internal and external communications to a wide range of audiences, including the Governor’s office, Tribal governments, and Apple Health providers.
What You Bring
- IT terminology: Familiarity with health IT infrastructure and terminology.
- Change management: Experience with change management projects and principles.
- Communication plans: Experience creating strategic stakeholder communication plans.
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.
- Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex technical information verbally and in writing to a non-technical audience, including the application of plain language principles to legally precise documents.
- Ability to work independently and in groups.
- Excellent writing and proof-reading skills.
- Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, identify communications needs, and develop goals and comprehensive work plans for achieving those goals.
- Knowledge of state health care programs, commercial health care insurance and current health care issues.
- Demonstrated skills working with government agencies, health care providers, health care insurers and/or public/private health care stakeholders/customers.
- Understanding of health equity principles and how to apply them to communications strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to use social media tools to communicate with multiple audiences.
- Demonstrated skills in public relations.
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.
- Knowledge of health IT, software development, or similar technical fields to be able to navigate the needs of technical programs and software terminology.
- Prosci change management certification.
- General knowledge of health care systems.
- Knowledge of plain language writing techniques and understanding of how to effectively implement them within a state agency.
- Experience participating in change management projects as part of a communications team.
- Expertise preparing and coordinating internal communications.
- Expertise creating stakeholder management plans.
- Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, humanities, public relations, or related field and three years of writing/editing experience; or equivalent education/experience.
- Seven years of work experience or training in communications, journalism or related public relations/community information positions that included writing, editing, and planning.
About the Division
The Communications Division provides strategic leadership and operational support for external and internal communications on agency business and strategic initiatives for HCA.
About 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 coordinates 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 (PFML)
- 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 Jake Nelko, human resources consultant – recruiter, at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject line.