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Health and Human Services Agency and the Human Resources Department are recommending the Board adopt resolution 035-2014 establishing the salary schedule and bargaining unit for the Merit System Services classification of Screener.
FUNDING: Position will be utilized in Fiscal Year 2014/2015 and will be included in 2014/2015 budget addendum.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no fiscal impact or change to net County cost associated with this agenda item. No allocations are being added at this time. The positions will be added as part of the 2014/2015 budget addendum.
Reason for Recommendation
The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has identified a need for a new classification: Screener. This position will perform lower-level eligibility functions that are outside the scope of the Office Assistant classification, such as screening applications, explaining requirements to applicants, advising applicants of rights and responsibilities, verifying information, data entry, health care plan selection, and referral of applicants in need of immediate services to appropriate resources. Screening is a critical component to ensure applications meeting emergency criteria are processed within required timelines. Eligibility staff currently provide the screening function at a higher cost than the cost of screener positions. This position will relieve eligibility staff from performing these functions, allowing eligibility workers to concentrate on eligibility and benefit determination and can also be used as needed to support Office Assistant functions such as file clearance, Medi-Cal Eligibility Data Systems (MEDS) and general clerical functions. This classification will help HHSA meet new Affordable Care Act mandates to assist the public with health care plan selection. This classification may also increase staff retention by acting as a stepping stone to the Eligibility classification, providing interested staff with an opportunity to obta...
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