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Designation Program Specialist

 

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Designation Program Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: EMS/Trauma Systems Section 
Posting Number: 7999 
Closing Date: 05/07/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $5,521.16 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description: 

The EMS Trauma Systems Section Designation Program awards trauma, stroke, neonatal and maternal designations to hospitals meeting the designation rules and requirements. Designation Program Specialists coordinate, implement, and maintain the designation program through data management, policies and procedures, performance measures, and collaboration with hospitals, survey organizations, advisory councils, committees, and stakeholders. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy. 

Designation Programs Operations: Performs a variety of advanced (senior -level) technical, planning, policy, program assessment, training, and administrative activities. Monitors, reviews, validates, and analyzes designation program data and documentation to ensure accuracy of information and identify trends for improvement; provides assistance in the planning, development, and implementation of the program policies and procedures; collaborates with Health and Human Services to verify facility designation information required for perinatal Medicaid reimbursement and trauma funding eligibility; monitors facilities, surveyors, and survey organizations’ information and activities to ensure the designation Texas Administrative Code requirements and designation survey guidelines are met; and responsible for compiling designation data, information, and performance measures to develop presentations for the advisory councils, committees, other state agencies, and stakeholders. Provides recommendations to management regarding improvement or process changes to standardize and increase quality, efficiency, and proficiency of the designation program activities. (50%)     

Training: Plans and coordinates education and training of designation staff, facility program staff, surveyors, and stakeholders. Serves as preceptor and mentor in the orientation and initial training of newly employed designation staff. Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for VERSA Regulation (VR) and other applications used by staff and stakeholders to maintain designation processes. (25%) 

Public Relations: Represents the agency by developing communications and providing information to stakeholders; collaborates with Trauma, Stroke, Neonatal and Maternal stakeholders providing presentations and training for designation program activities; collaborates with surveyors, survey organizations, other state agencies, and regional, state and national partners in designation program activities. Develops and revises program information, forms, documents, and public media sites to ensure they are current. (20%) 

Other Duties including Disaster Response: May include serving in a supporting role and assisting in maintaining continuity of operations of the agency. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

Knowledge of privacy and confidentiality rules for sensitive information.    

Skill in understanding and interpreting state laws and rules.    

Skill in using Microsoft Office and database programs.  

Skill in communication including effective organization and presentation of information, both orally and in writing.   

Ability to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate education and training of others.  

Ability to organize, plan, and prioritize workload and projects to meet deadlines.   

Ability to evaluate situations, analyze findings, and solve problems.   

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with diverse teams, and stakeholders.      

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

NA

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited college or university is required. Experience and education may be substituted year-to-year. Experience in planning and developing program changes; providing technical assistance through public forums and/or written communication; working in a healthcare setting with similar duties preferred. 

Additional Information: 

NA 

  

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

  • The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
  • Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
  • DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form

Date Posted
04/29/2026
Job Reference
7999-en_US
Organization
Dept of State Health Services
Location
Austin, TX
Category
Project/Program Management
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