Senior Benefits Specialist (Workday Implementation)

At Houston Methodist, the Senior Benefits Specialist positions' primary responsibilities would be to support the absence workstream in a Workday implementation project over the next two years. This would include assisting with design, leading configuration and testing as well as a solid understanding of current system setup, practices and applicable benefit plans. Must work well in a team environment, be able to collaborate easily, and have at least two years of Workday and absence management experience. 

Following implementation this position would move back to the traditional benefits department located at Greenbriar and La Concha.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures that HR Hub staff have the resources and education pertaining to assigned areas of specialization to provide support and answers to our employee population.

• Serves as subject matter expert to Information Technology (IT) and providers regarding system updates, interfaces and customization as assigned.

• Acts as a resource to Human Resources(HR) and management across the organization for best practices, policy and procedures and state and federal law.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Drives the entire life cycle of implementing benefits programs with internal departments (IT and payroll) and external vendors. Leads user acceptance testing (UAT) and other related projects.

• Identifies service and/or system issues for external and internal stakeholders and vendors. Makes recommendations for resolution to department leadership.

• Performs complex operational and transactional tasks required to administer company benefit programs and provides prompt and accurate responses to customers through a variety of channels. (i.e. email, phone, chat)

• Serves as subject matter expert and resource to team members in absence of department management as appropriate.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works with internal and external parties to ensure all benefit deductions, including arrears and refunds, 403(b) deferrals and contributions, or payment of wage replacement are accurate as assigned. Audits associated system reports to ensure accuracy and takes necessary action to correct discrepancies.

• Partners with vendors/providers to support flawless administration of benefit plans, such as healthcare, 403(b), Paid Time Off (PTO), leaves, and Worker's Comp that enhances the overall Houston Methodist total reward philosophy.

• Ensures compliance of associated state and federal laws/regulations and mandatory record keeping through routine and ad hoc reporting as required. Performs routine and special audits according to department requirements. Identifies discrepancies and reports to management.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Represents Houston Methodist with internal and external parties to ensure all benefit deductions, including arrears and refunds, 403(b) deferrals and contributions, or payment of wage replacement are accurate as assigned. Audits associated system reports to ensure accuracy and takes necessary action to correct discrepancies. Identifies trends and anomalies. Performs root cause analysis and alerts management as appropriate.

• Independently manages time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks. Seeks out opportunities to help other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Stays abreast of industry trends and seeks out opportunities to apply innovative solutions to assigned programs. Makes recommendations focused on delivering high quality, cost effective programs to address the benefit needs of our employees.

• Proactively evaluates internal processes and makes recommendations for cost savings.

• Assumes responsibility for own learning needs and seeks continuing opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree required or an additional four years of experience in addition to the minimum experience required below in lieu of degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years experience in HR or related field to include two years benefits related experience and customer service

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)-IFEBP

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Effective time management and ability to management competing priorities in an organized fashion in a fast-paced environment

• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work independently and make decisions within scope of role

• Ability to professionally and confidentially resolve issues including working with stakeholders with varying work styles and personalities

• Expert in excel

• General knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Workers Compensation

• Advanced knowledge of assigned benefits area of focus

• Knowledge of benefits systems

• Strong project management skills

• Ability to seamlessly shift between strategic and tactical work

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a remote environment as assigned

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.