Note: Candidates with "Benefits" experience and knowledge of ERISA Special Enrollment Rights and Section 125 rules strongly encouraged to apply.

At Houston Methodist, the Benefits Specialist position is responsible for assigned areas of Houston Methodist benefits programs such as retirement, health and welfare, or workers compensation with special focus on plan administration. This position supports system implementations, upgrades and testing, generates required reports and has accountability for assigned projects, delivering high quality customer service through a variety of channels. This position contributes to the overall success of benefit-related software within the Human Resources (HR) Payroll, time and attendance or risk management system. The Benefits Specialist position works across the benefits management team to ensure delivery of innovative, consistent, and cost-effective services that support, sustain, and improve our benefits administration while in compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements.

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.

• Partners with Information Technology (IT) and providers regarding systems update, interfaces and customizations as assigned.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in the entire life cycle of implementing benefits programs with internal departments (IT and payroll) and external vendors. Assists with user acceptance testing (UAT).

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

• Performs 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).

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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

• Supports compliance of associated state and federal laws/regulations and mandatory record keeping through routine and ad hoc reporting as required. Identifies discrepancies and reports to management.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Partners 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.

• Independently manages time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks. Helps 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.

• 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).

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 or an additional four years of experience in addition to the minimum experience below in lieu of degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years experience in HR or related field to include customer service experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

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

• Solid computer skills 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

• Knowledge of benefits systems preferred

• 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.