Health Equity Program Manager

KHS reasonably expects to pay starting compensation for the position of Health Equity Program Manager in the range of $100,591 – $130,992 annually.   Our Mission.. Kern Health Systems is dedicated to improving the health status of our members through an integrated managed health care delivery system. Definition: This position is responsible for directly assisting the Chief Health Equity Officer (CHEO) in developing, implementing, analyzing, and refining Kern Health Systems’ goals and objectives related to health equity. The Health Equity Program Manager will partner with the CHEO and other leaders to strengthen the organization’s commitment and strategy to provide stronger health equity and reduce health disparities of our member population, as well as to remain a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization. The position will assist in raising awareness of health inequities within our membership and plans to address them. The Health Equity Program Manager will also assist with the development and implementation of marketing and member engagement strategies designed to address identified health inequities.  This will include assisting with the development of policies, tracking and analyzing trends in healthcare disparities, recognizing the implications of diverse cultural language, economic, education, and health status needs of those in our service area and organization, and supporting other efforts to address those inequities. Distinguishing Characteristics: Collaborate with the CHEO and leadership teams across the organization to support the development of heath equity strategies that align with objectives of the company and assist with the implementation of those strategies in the local community. Help drive the imbedding and communication of health equity strategies across stakeholder groups – KHS Board, employees, members, and the local community. Assist in maintaining strong relationships with KHS employees, providers, and local stakeholders who will help to combat inequities. Help track and measure successes as executed health equity strategies close gaps for member populations. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Manages the planning, design, implementation, training, and reporting of specified health equity initiatives; Coordinates initiatives aimed at advancing and aligning the health equity strategy and tactical workplan to reduce health disparities among specified populations; Researches evidence-based practices and nationally recognized criteria, helps design, and recommends opportunities to enhance efforts through scaling best practices, technology platforms or other culturally relevant modes of communication, and insights and perspectives generated by impacted and diverse stakeholders; Works collaboratively with internal and external partners and stakeholders and with external community organizations and agencies to address identified priority disparities and improve health quality and outcomes; Helps organize meetings of key partners and stakeholders while documenting progress and holding key members accountable for work products; Facilitates community outreach strategies and partnerships towards health equity and best practices with identifying and addressing ethnic, cultural or racial disparities in health quality and outcomes; Provides support in the design and implementation of Kern Health System’s (KHS) strategies and programs to ensure health equity is prioritized and addressed; Works with the CHEO and other leaders to ensure KHS’s compliance with California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on regulatory and contractual requirements; Serves as primary backup for the CHEO on the QI/HE Committee; Works with the CHEO and appropriate internal and external stakeholders to develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators for health equity, analyze and share observations regarding programmatic practice and innovation, interpret internal and external DEI metrics, and helps implement organizational culture and practice. Assists with reviewing KHS policies and procedures to ensure they continually promote health equity where possible, including, but not limited to: 1) corporate marketing and communications strategy, 2) medical and health services policies, 3) member and provider outreach, 4) Community Advisory Committee, 5) QI activities including delivery system reforms, 6) Grievance and Appeals, and 7) Utilization Management; Supports the creation and development of new Health Equity policies and procedures; Provides assistance for the member engagement and community relations teams; Attends regular health equity meetings with key constituents to build relationships, share best practices and health equity tactics, hear feedback, continually improve the health equity plan, and provide quality resources or services that add value for KHS members; Interprets research and helps implement strategies designed to identify and address root causes of health inequities throughout KHS’s service area, which includes but is not limited to systemic racism, Social Drivers of Health, and infrastructure barriers; Supports the development and implementation of targeted interventions to address and eliminate health inequities; Works with HR to monitor progress toward our DEI vision and achievement of our DEI goals as well as the execution of strategies designed to achieve those goals; Engages and collaborates with the CHEO, leaders and staff, subcontractors, network providers, and entities included, but not limited to local community-based organizations, local health department, behavioral health and social services, child welfare systems and members in health equity efforts and initiatives; Helps ensure employees, subcontractors, Network Provider staff receive mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training (sensitivity, diversity, communication skills, and cultural competency training); Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned; Employment Standards Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work, health care, public policy, business, or related field required; Education Preferred: Master’s degree in Public Health or Related Field.  Experience: Minimum of five (5) years’ experience advocating for and implementing change within a multi-cultural environment, preferably with some experience in project planning, developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; any equivalent combination of education and experience; Minimum five (5) years’ experience in project management and/or staff development;   Special Skills: Ability to think and plan strategically; Knowledge of health equity concepts; Ability to scope, define, and interpret quantitative analyses of operational problems Experience in advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion in a health care and/or other settings, and an interest and involvement in the affairs of the health care community; Strong leadership and public speaking skills; Experience with continuous improvement processes; Proven track record of successful project and program leadership; Experience with collaborating cross-functionally across diverse internal and external partner groups; Preparation of business plans, analyses, financial projections, programmatic and operational reports. Other: Required travel up to 20%. Possession of valid California Driver’s License and proof of valid State required auto liability insurance.

Salary : $100,591 - $130,992