Position Title: Program Manager – Home and Community-Based Services (HCS)
Department: HCS Program Operations
Reports To: Administrator/Program Director
Employment Status: Full-Time
Location: First Fortune Group Home, Inc.
POSITION SUMMARY
First Fortune Group Home, Inc. is seeking an experienced and highly organized Program Manager with direct experience working within the Texas Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Program.
The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of assigned HCS residential and community-based services, supervising staff, ensuring individuals receive services according to their Person-Directed Plan (PDP), Implementation Plans, Individual Plan of Care (IPC), Behavior Support Plans, physician orders, and other applicable service plans, and maintaining compliance with Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) requirements.
The Program Manager serves as a key liaison among individuals, families/LARs, Service Coordinators, nurses, behavioral support providers, day habilitation/ISS providers, physicians, staff, and agency administration.
REQUIRED HCS EXPERIENCE
Previous experience working with the Texas HCS Program is required for this position.
The successful candidate must have working knowledge and practical experience with areas including:
- Texas HCS program requirements and provider responsibilities.
- HHSC rules, standards, surveys, and regulatory compliance.
- Person-Directed Plans (PDPs).
- Individual Plans of Care (IPCs).
- Implementation Plans.
- Residential Support Services (RSS).
- Supervised Living.
- Community First Choice (CFC) and applicable HCS services.
- In-Home and Community-Based Individualized Skills and Socialization services, as applicable.
- Nursing and behavioral support services.
- Service authorizations and documentation requirements.
- Medication administration documentation and MAR review.
- Incident reporting, abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting, and individual rights.
- Staff training and competency documentation.
- LIDDA and Service Coordinator communication.
- HHSC surveys, plans of correction, and compliance monitoring.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. HCS Program Management
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of assigned HCS homes and services.
- Ensure services are delivered in accordance with the individual's PDP, IPC, Implementation Plan, Behavior Support Plan, nursing plan, physician orders, and other applicable plans.
- Monitor service delivery to ensure individuals receive all authorized services.
- Ensure services are person-centered and protect each individual's dignity, privacy, safety, independence, and rights.
- Immediately report significant operational or compliance concerns to the Administrator.
2. Staff Supervision and Scheduling
- Supervise House Managers, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), caregivers, and other assigned staff.
- Ensure adequate staffing coverage for all homes, including individuals requiring enhanced or 1:1 supervision.
- Review staff schedules and address call-offs, late arrivals, absences, and staffing shortages.
- Conduct routine supervisory visits to group homes.
- Monitor employee performance and recommend corrective or disciplinary action when necessary.
- Participate in interviewing, onboarding, orientation, and training of new employees.
- Ensure staff understand the needs and service plans of the individuals they support.
3. Documentation and Compliance
- Review daily service notes and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, and timely completion.
- Ensure documentation supports the services billed by the agency.
- Monitor MARs, incident reports, shift documentation, training records, implementation documentation, and other required records.
- Ensure corrections to documentation are completed promptly and appropriately.
- Maintain survey-ready individual and program records.
- Conduct periodic chart and home audits to identify deficiencies before an HHSC survey.
- Assist administration with Plans of Correction and implementation of corrective actions following surveys or internal audits.
4. Individual Health and Safety
- Monitor individuals for changes in health, behavior, safety, or support needs.
- Ensure significant changes are immediately reported to nursing and appropriate members of the individual's service planning team.
- Ensure staff follow seizure protocols, fall precautions, dietary requirements, behavioral interventions, medication procedures, and other individualized health and safety instructions.
- Ensure emergency procedures are understood and followed.
- Coordinate with nursing staff regarding appointments, medication changes, hospitalizations, physician orders, and follow-up care.
5. Incident Management
- Ensure incidents are immediately reported according to agency policy and applicable HHSC requirements.
- Notify appropriate administrative personnel when allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, injuries, medication errors, hospitalization, law enforcement involvement, or other serious incidents occur.
- Assist with investigations, documentation, corrective actions, and follow-up.
- Ensure staff understand their mandatory reporting responsibilities.
- Monitor corrective actions to prevent recurrence of incidents.
6. Individual Rights
- Ensure individuals' rights are respected and protected at all times.
- Monitor homes for potential rights restrictions and immediately report concerns.
- Ensure restrictions are appropriately authorized, documented, clinically justified when applicable, and reviewed according to HCS requirements.
- Ensure individuals are treated with dignity and are protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, retaliation, coercion, and unnecessary restrictions.
7. Coordination With Service Coordinators and LARs
- Maintain professional communication with Service Coordinators, LIDDAs, families, guardians, and Legally Authorized Representatives (LARs).
- Participate in service planning meetings, interdisciplinary meetings, and other meetings concerning individuals.
- Follow up on requests for documentation, service changes, IPC revisions, authorizations, and other program matters.
- Immediately communicate significant concerns affecting an individual's services, health, safety, or placement to administration.
8. Residential Home Oversight
Conduct routine inspections of HCS homes and ensure:
- Homes are clean, sanitary, and maintained in safe condition.
- Food and household supplies are adequate.
- Medications are properly stored and secured.
- Required emergency information is available.
- Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and safety equipment are maintained.
- Individual belongings are protected.
- Maintenance problems are reported and corrected promptly.
- Staff follow agency policies and individual-specific instructions.
STAFF TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Manager will ensure staff receive required orientation, annual training, and individual-specific training, including when applicable:
- Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention and reporting.
- Individual rights.
- Emergency preparedness.
- Medication administration.
- Infection control.
- Behavior Support Plans.
- Seizure protocols.
- Fall prevention.
- Special dietary requirements.
- Transfers and mobility assistance.
- Documentation requirements.
- Confidentiality and HIPAA.
- Individual-specific medical and behavioral needs.
The Program Manager must maintain or verify documentation demonstrating completion of required training.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Previous professional experience working with the Texas HCS Program.
- Demonstrated understanding of HCS residential services and regulatory requirements.
- Experience supervising caregivers, DSPs, House Managers, or similar direct-care staff.
- Experience reviewing HCS documentation and service records.
- Strong understanding of incident reporting and individual rights.
- Ability to communicate professionally with HHSC representatives, Service Coordinators, LIDDAs, LARs, families, nurses, behavioral professionals, and other providers.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple homes, individuals, employees, and deadlines.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to pass all required background checks and employment screenings.
Preferred:
- Minimum of 2 years of direct HCS program experience.
- Previous experience as an HCS Program Manager, Case Manager, Residential Coordinator, House Manager, or similar supervisory position.
- Experience preparing for HHSC surveys and implementing Plans of Correction.
- Experience with HCS billing/service authorization documentation.
- Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, healthcare administration, human services, business administration, or a related field is preferred.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
The Program Manager must demonstrate:
- Leadership and accountability.
- Knowledge of HCS regulatory requirements.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Professional communication.
- Crisis-management ability.
- Attention to detail.
- Staff supervision and coaching skills.
- Documentation and record-review skills.
- Ability to prioritize health and safety concerns.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to work effectively under regulatory and operational deadlines.
WORK SCHEDULE AND AVAILABILITY
This is a management position requiring flexibility. The Program Manager may be required to:
- Visit residential homes during different shifts.
- Respond to urgent staffing or individual-care concerns.
- Participate in after-hours communication when necessary.
- Assist during emergencies, investigations, or HHSC surveys.
- Provide management coverage when needed.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
The Program Manager is expected to maintain HCS programs in a continuous state of survey readiness. Performance will be evaluated based on regulatory compliance, quality of services, staff supervision, documentation accuracy, individual health and safety, timely incident management, successful completion of corrective actions, and overall program performance.
Pay: $38,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
