Service Provider Relations Specialist

About Us

The Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of many Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority, the Department of Health and Wellness, long-term care facilities, home care agencies, training institutions and other sector leaders, we’re committed to continually improving the support system for seniors and others requiring home care, long-term care and other community-based supports.

In addition, the department supports the social and economic well-being of older adults ensuring policy formulation and effective decision-making as well as policy coherence across government departments as it relates to aging.  The newly formed department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery for Nova Scotia’s senior population. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.
 

About Our Opportunity

As the Service Provider Relations Specialist, you will report to the Program Manager and will develop and administer service delivery policies and programs to provide governance and oversight to Continuing Care service providers and stakeholders. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of service provider relationships, and will be the point of contact for all service provider issues and concerns including concerns that may be broader than individual cases, strategic in nature, or related to contract/financial issues (e.g. funding).

You will negotiate and work with the service provider and other Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care (SLTC) functional areas in ways that balance the needs of both the Department, the service provider, and are aligned with any contractual or Service Level Agreement (SLA) obligations. You will gather information; formulate, develop and implement service delivery policy and programs; work closely with service providers to build accountability; and ensure the appropriate infrastructure and supports are in place to provide services to clients.
 

Primary Accountabilities

• Influences and contributes to developing and administering service delivery policies and programs to provide governance and oversight to service providers and stakeholders.
• Develops and executes the necessary service provider relationship business processes to achieve Departmental outcomes.
• Manages the professional, accountability based ongoing relationship with service providers and provides consistent interpretation of any contracts/service agreements in place and works with other SLTC staff.
• Liaises with Continuing Care management to negotiate new service provider agreements or changes as required, and to answer service provider questions relating to the contractual agreement.
• Works strategically with program areas to determine improved delivery approaches that involve providers.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for other SLTC divisions and functional areas related to service provider negotiations, issue resolution, program service standard issues, contract compliance issues and risks.
• Works with Labour Relations in the negotiation of new or amended collective agreements for external service providers and service providers operated by staff of the Department.
• Supports the labour negotiation process as a key team member with Labour Relations, Finance and Program.
• Supports the home care agency Quality and Oversight process including home care agency audits as a key team member with Inspection and Compliance, Finance and Program staff. 
   

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role you have a Bachelors’ Degree in a related field with several years of progressive experience in the delivery of policies and programs with some experience leading teams.  Preference will be given to health care professionals. Experience in a Home Care or Long-Term Care setting is considered an asset.

In this role you have demonstrated knowledge of developing and administering policies & programs while working in a complex stakeholder environment. You can lead change, move forward new initiatives, and overcome ongoing systemic challenges.

You possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to establish productive relationships with senior representatives of non-governmental and governmental organizations (both internally and externally) valuing a diverse and inclusive environment.

You are proficient using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), and have excellent research capabilities and strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy while balancing priorities.

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Analytical Thinking, Action Management, Team Leadership; Initiative; Effective Interactive Communication; Partnering & Relationship Building; Intercultural Diversity Proficiency.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
 

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
 

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.
 

Working Conditions

Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about. Travel is required – federal/provincial/territorial, as well as facility and agency meetings.

Work is performed in a demanding and fast paced environment where there are pressures from a variety of stakeholders which are often conflicting.
 

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.