Introduction The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting a Dental Program Administrator (Health Management Administrator) within the Division of Health Services Behavioral Health Unit, located at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford CT. The Dental Program Administrator will be responsible for all aspects of program oversight and operations in addition to having the clinical knowledge to maintain and develop the dental program.
Position Highlights: - Full-time, 40 hours per week
- First (1st) shift
- Monday - Friday
- 8:00am-4:30pm
- Hybrid schedule
The Role: - Oversee the claim and prior authorization review processes, dental regulations and procedure adherence, management to address staffing, procedural and technical issues;
- Coordinate with dental vendor to ensure the timely handling of prior authorization claim reviews;
- Evaluate the quarterly approvals and denial rates and appropriateness by the vendor dentist;
- Communicate policy ,procedure updates and changes from the Department to the vendors, provider network and community partners;
- Conduct professional relations between the CMAP enrolled dental providers, clinics, dentists and community medical partners;
- Interface with the dental vendor, fiduciary intermediary, the professional relations and client services staff regarding provider treatment patterns and findings of concern;
- Escalate documented findings for consideration to the Quality Assurance Division;
- Compose and document communications with CMAP providers, their staff and community partners;
- Develop and interpret data specifically related to the provision of dental services and utilization review;
- Periodically review Utilization Management data from the dental vendor and statistical analysis; review and update process requirements;
- Analyze provider care cost reports when necessary;
- Management regarding strategic development and advancement of the dental program;
- Understanding of state and federal regulations;
- Develop and compose budgets;
- Develop and write requests for Proposal and Contract language.
About Us: DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut's multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, and online and phone access options.
What's In It For You: Visit our
new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
- A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
- State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
Discover the opportunity to: - Engage in a rewarding career
- Assist our employees so they can achieve success
- Make a difference in the public sector
- Work together in a collaborative team environment
Thinking Of Relocating? Connecticut offers you a blend of professional advancement and a high-quality lifestyle. As a state we are renowned for our top-tier medical facilities and ample opportunities for career growth and development. Beyond professional prospects, Connecticut boasts a high standard of living, featuring safe communities, excellent schools, and a diverse range of cultural and recreational activities. This combination of professional excellence and a well-rounded lifestyle make Connecticut an appealing destination for those who want to thrive both in their careers and personal lives.
There are so many things to love about living, working, and playing in our state including these Key Facts and Figures:
- #4 in the U.S. for employees with advanced degrees
- #3 in the country for quality of K-12 education
- #5 for quality of life in the U.S.
- 2,000 miles of hiking/bike paths
- 618 miles of scenic coastline
- 21 world-class art museums
- Five Tony-Award winning regional theatres, and more!
- Check out CTVisit; they share so much valuable information on what it's like to work, play and live in our state!
Selection Plan FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY: - Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing
- Salary Calculations : For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note : The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY: - Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note : This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at
QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP: Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK) DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: this class is accountable for administering health, behavioral health, substance abuse programs and operations for children under supervision, care or custody of the department.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION: this class is accountable for administering the regional and community based health programs and operations for inmates throughout the agency.
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: this class is accountable for administering the Waiver Operations program and operations for rate setting and billing for departmental waivers.
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES: this class is accountable for administering behavioral health programs for individuals served by the department.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES: this class is accountable for administering the health programs and operations or behavioral health programs for individuals served by department or individuals served by other departments under memoranda of agreement.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Administers staff and operations of division and/or program;
- Develops, implements and evaluates division and/or program policies, goals and objectives;
- Designs and develops division and/or program activities;
- Oversees and monitors program implementation;
- Determines appropriate staffing levels;
- Designs and implements training programs and performance review standards for division and/or program staff;
- Assists with preparation of agency budget;
- Collects and disseminates data and other information to promote and manage healthcare quality and access;
- Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact policy or program activities;
- Represents department at meetings and conferences of officials, professionals and lay groups;
- Plans research activities including monitoring, evaluation and accountability procedures;
- Prepares and recommends proposals for securing grant funds;
- May assume responsibility of division in absence of Deputy Commissioner;
- Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY - Considerable knowledge of
- and ability to apply management principles and practices;
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- various public health systems and programs;
- one or more of the following programs: maternal and child health, children with disabilities, social work, oral health, nutrition, veterans health or human services, behavioral health or substance abuse;
- medical care for abused, neglected or individuals with intellectual disability and/or other underserved groups;
- Knowledge of public health education principles and practices;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE Two (2) years of experience in a managerial capacity in a health care organization and/or division related to agency's service population.
NOTE: Managerial capacity is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and/or monitoring a budget.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Children and Families Program Director.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience overseeing the concurrent and retrospective prior authorization claim review processes.
- Experience coordinating with the dental vendors clinical claim staff on the application and adherence to program policies.
- Experience developing and promulgating policies related to oral health care.
- Experience as the tertiary clinical opinion for escalated provider and member appeals.
- Experience developing, overseeing and directing quality improvement and performance improvement projects for a vendor.
- Experience interacting and working with a Quality Assurance Unit to identify and prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Incumbents in this class who are physicians, dentists or psychologists must be eligible to obtain a license to practice in Connecticut and must obtain one within six months of employment and retain it during the course of employment.
- Incumbents in this class who are physicians may be required to be board certified in pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine, family practice, child psychiatry, emergency medicine, preventive medicine or infectious disease practice.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
Conclusion AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.
