J.R. Top

Experience

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  Freelance

  Oct 2006 - May 2013

  Live Sound Engineer

  • Worked with multiple teams to complete complex projects within short time frames.• Responsible for maintenance, upkeep and working knowledge of multiple types of equipment.• Dealt with short time frames to make multiple parties work in synchronicity. • Responsible for identifying issues and developing solutions.

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  Pulaski County Assessor's Office

  Jun 2011 - May 2013

  Mass Appraiser Level IV

  Collect data and use analysis of county and state regulations and laws using independent judgement to analyze the data to determine taxable value of residential properties.Developed and implemented a comprehensive policies and procedures manual for the Assessor's Office.Organized fundraisers and community outreach projects.Successfully negotiated taxable values of real and personal property with multiple stakeholders, to include taxpayers and Real Estate firms.

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  Texas Health and Human Services Commission

  Aug 2013 - Dec 2016

  PS-VResearched, tracked and analyzed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance for regulatory updates affecting the Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) process or requiring updates to the Medicaid State Plan (e.g. Update of Federal Regulations, Public Notice Requirements).Developed tools and spreadsheets to expedite research of the Medicaid State Plan and State Plan Attachments to responded to Medicaid State Plan benefit questions for Policy Development and the Medical Benefits and Clinical Policy Unit.Coordinated across the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) agencies to develop and submit new Medicaid State Plan benefits to CMS (i.e. PASRR Specialized Habilitative Services, Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers, Managed Transportation Program, Home and Community-Based Services–Adult Mental Health Eligibility Expansion). Prepare weekly and monthly reports and summaries of projects for the Office of Policy leadership. Liaised for Texas Medicaid and CMS facilitating requests from CMS subject matter experts to agencies and programs in Texas Medicaid.Managed electronic data and files for the Policy Development and Support team.Lead staff for the development of a SPA policy and procedure manual and workflow chart for distribution to other program areas in Texas Medicaid.Updated on a continual basis the electronic version of the Medicaid State Plan and Attachments to increase accessibility to people with disabilities and make public research of the document simpler. Show less Project managed the development of the 10th edition of Medicaid/CHIP in Perspective (Medicaid Pink Book). Worked with advocacy groups on major Medicaid initiatives involving attendant care. Researched and reported on various policy issues including tobacco cessation, adolescent bariatric surgery, attendant recruitment and retention, consumer directed services, School Health and Related Services (SHARS), durable medical equipment and other assigned policy issues.Led development, distribution and follow-up of topics and comments with HHSC Access and Eligibility Services for statewide Texas HHSC Medicaid/CHIP Regional Advisory Committees.Facilitated inter-agency workgroups convened as part of the Frew Outreach and Informing Modernization project. Prepared reports and summaries of projects for Office of Policy Development leadership. Assisted Program Policy team members in the development of highly complex workflows and processes. Developed policies, procedures and project tracking tools for the Texas Medicaid Office of Policy. Managed electronic data and files for the Program Policy Development team. Supported state action requests submitted to vendors. Coordinated legislative bill assignments for the Medicaid/CHIP Division. Developed tracking documents and training materials for Program Policy staff to be utilized during the 84th Texas Legislature. Provided transition support of Medicaid claims administration contract from Xerox to Accenture. Show less

  • Program Specialist V

    Apr 2015 - Dec 2016

  • Program Specialist III

    Aug 2013 - Apr 2015
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  The Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice

  Dec 2016 - Sept 2018

  Policy Research & Special Projects Manager

  Analyze Home Health regulations, policy letters and payment rates for submission to Texas Health and Human Services rate hearings, advisory committees and rule drafts.Apply knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid program regulations, policies, and billing systems; as well as Home and Community-Based Services and related regulations to respond satisfactorily to association member regulatory inquiries and issues within two business days.Manage, schedule, develop agenda and materials for biennial CLASS and DBMD provider workgroup meetings with HHSC.Oversee three policy committees and six policy subcommittees for pediatric home health services, community care services and private pay services.Develop policies, procedures, and scope of work for multiple member committees and subcommittees.Creates and institutes regulatory inquiry tracking log with live statistical update capabilities.Uses JotForm to update best practices for receiving inquiries from association members.Helps create and implement multiple association surveys for membership.Created visualized data report used statewide on impact of Hurricane Harvey on Home Care and Hospice industry in the state of Texas. (https://www.dropbox.coms/lpxdy6xp6de2fjf20170908%2520TAHCH_Hurricane%2520Harvey_Report.pdf?dl=0)Created visualized data report used by association members on number of children waiting for pediatric therapies by zip code and Texas Senate District.(https://www.dropbox.com/s/nnb9ml8x669pgrr/20170424%20TAHCH_HHA-Waitlist-Survey-Resuts_SenateDistrictMap.pdf?dl=0)Creates and institutes electronic sign-in form for association member committees.Researches, develops and project manages office telecom change from analog phone system to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) system and DSL to fiber. Show less

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  Texas Health and Human Services

  Sept 2018 - now

  Creates, assigns, monitors, and prioritizes work plans for multiple projects and refines them with input from program staff.Reviews memos, reports, and presentations to ensure information for general audiences is high-quality, well-written, and synthesize complex information.Interacts with external stakeholders and other Texas HHS divisions to resolve reporting issues, provide assistance, and achieve the results required by leadership.Develops visual aids to improve communication between HHSC divisions, including a timeline style for large-scale projects now implemented throughout Texas HHS’ IT department.Coordinates with program staff and the Local Funds Monitoring Review Team manager to fulfill requests from leadership and stakeholders with expedience and accuracy.Supervises the development of a completely new division within Texas HHS by, facilitating the creation of multiple policy and procedure manuals for the Local Funds Monitoring team, training staff, and giving high-level presentations with written materials. Show less Manages multiple and complex initiatives, with competing deadlines, under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.Researches best practices, synthesizes complex information, and drafts white papers for multiple HHS programs to identify innovative, creative, and cost-effective strategies to improve business and operational processes in health and human services delivery. Designs, develops, and administers project management tools to facilitate synthesis of complex and disparate sources, expedite research, organize information, and increase workflow efficiency.In consultation with OPR leadership and SEPA colleagues, identified meaningful performance measures that reflect SEPA assistance throughout HHS.Provides guidance and technical assistance to program staff to build consensus and ensure effective development of HHS rule language. Promotes and fosters a positive team environment through collaboration, sharing of resources, and communication.Navigates diverse opinions and promotes collaboration in multiple cross-agency and program workgroups.Leverages experience in Medicaid, and knowledge of federal and state legislative processes to compile and synthesize multiple reports and hearings into searchable legislative tools for HHS executive management. Analyzes legislative appropriation requests and compares with Article II of the General Appropriations act to identify budgeted items for programs and services.Advised and collaborated with all levels of HHSC and DSHS executive management and staff and coordinated across divisions and agencies to ensure the availability of volunteers during the COVID 19 contact tracing effort. Show less

  • Management Analyst V, Provider Finance Division, Local Funding

    Jul 2024 - now

  • Reporting Team Manager, Provider Finance Division, Local Funding

    Oct 2021 - Jul 2024

  • Senior Executive Policy Advisor

    Sept 2018 - Oct 2021