HEALTH ACCESS ASSISTANT

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Health Access Assistant provides customer service, comprehensive support and information to clients seeking to apply for governmental benefit and entitlement programs, such as Medicaid, the Health Insurance Marketplace, BadgerCare Plus, Family Planning Only Services, SeniorCare, FoodShare Wisconsin and Wisconsin Shares Childcare.

Application Assistance and Outreach

• Meet with walk-in clients to assess needs for entitlement programs; aid in completing online applications.
• Perform community outreach and enrollment at various locations, including Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) Health Centers, and community events.
• Inform clients of the documents required for application; assist clients in navigating the process and/or application for BadgerCare Plus, Express Enrollment, and Medicaid programs.
• Encourage application to other programs that may serve clients’ needs, including FoodShare Wisconsin, WIC, Home Visitation Programs and free and reduced-cost clinics.

Customer Advocacy and Troubleshooting

• Advocate on behalf of populations that have an insurance coverage deficit.
• Receive and process referrals from other programs for individuals who have no coverage or who are experiencing issues with or an interruption in coverage.
• Ensure that each client receives the best quality service available; use contacts within local and state government to advocate for quality client care.
• Collaborate with community, state, and local officials to expand the network of advocates working to improve the quality of health in the Milwaukee community, especially relating to underrepresented populations.
• Engage in cross-programming, training and referral to ensure continuity of care for clients.
• Remain abreast of administrative changes in Medicaid and other entitlement programs to ensure the accuracy of information provided to clients.

Reporting and Administrative Duties

• Enter client information into the database daily.
• Complete all required internal MHD documentation and reports in a timely fashion.
• Participate in the evaluation of the program to ensure compliance and quality.
• Participate in programmatic and agency training.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The Health Access Assistant must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work occasional weekend and evening hours to meet departmental needs
• Occasional travel between MHD sites, other community-based locations and/or community event sites. 
• Respond to an emergency or broad-impact event.
• Carry a mobile device during business hours.

The pre-employment tests include:

• Physical/lift test
• Audiogram
• Vision

The pre-employment vaccines include:

• TB Test; at time of appointment and annually throughout employment
• Hep B Vaccine
• Covid 19 Vaccine
• MMR Vaccine
• Varicella Vaccine

1. Two years of experience working with health benefit programs for low-income families, community outreach, human services, health care service, or a closely related field OR two years of related coursework in social work, nursing, health care administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Certified Application Counselor within one year of appointment and throughout employment.
3. Valid Driver’s License and availability of a properly insured personal automobile for use on the job at time of appointment and throughout employment. Automobile allowance is provided.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Experience working with related health benefit programs.
• Ability to provide interpretation in Spanish.

Technical

• Ability to learn and apply the eligibility requirements and application processes for entitlement programs.
• Ability to learn and apply the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace processes and applications.
• Ability to read and interpret work-related documents, such as state rules regarding eligibility requirements.
• Ability to make accurate calculations to provide clients with information regarding premium payments for healthcare coverage.
• Skill in entering data into a database and ability to navigate county and State electronic systems.

Customer Service, Communication, and Interpersonal

• Ability to use tact, diplomacy and cultural-sensitivity to provide excellent customer service to clients and the public. 
• Ability to communicate complicated information effectively and accurately to non-technical audiences.  
• Skill in written communication, including the ability to compose relevant, legible case notes.
• Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with multidisciplinary and multicultural staff members, clients, city officials, and community groups.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one's own.
• Ability to work independently.
• Skill in advocacy and outreach.

Judgment, Responsibility, and Confidentiality

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Organizational skills and the ability to effectively and accurately manage a large caseload.
• Ability to reason, consider alternatives, and solve complex problems.
• Ability to be proactive to meet divisional objectives and responsibilities.

The current starting salary (5IN) is $57,620 annually and the resident incentive starting salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $59,348 annually.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit: https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE – The examination will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Applications and further information can be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.

• Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO 501

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.