OPTACA Claim Coordinator (Clerk 3)

Competition # : 50231

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: ​08-Nov-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, continuing care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

Under the general direction of the Director and Manager, OOP/OOC Programs, the OPTACA Claim Coordinator is responsible for the daily activities associated with the Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance program (OPTA) claims submitted by Nova Scotia residents who have been pre-approved for medical services or treatment that are not available within Nova Scotia.

Primary Accountabilities

• Prepare and manage travel and accommodation reimbursement eligibility correspondence.
• Provide information and resources to patients, their families, and inquiring bodies; and the processing of OPTACA claims for reimbursement.
• Accountable for all incoming calls to the Insured Services Division in relation to OPTACA, MSI eligibility, and interprovincial hospital billing, and to redirect other calls when necessary.
• Record all relevant data and providing reports, scheduled and ad hoc, as requested by the Director and Manager.
• Assess and process requests for miscellaneous medical supplies and services required by out of province patients pre-approved by MSI.
• Maintain physical and electronic filing systems; including accessing and updating the Shared Drive.
• Perform necessary administrative duties including, but not limited to: scheduling meetings; processing all mail for the division; ordering office supplies; printing employee attendance through SAP; submitting IT and maintenance requests; checking SAP for payments for the Reciprocal Billing Clerks and other billing concerns as requested; and other duties as assigned.
• Draft, edit and finalize ministerial correspondence as required.

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate, you have graduated high school and have at least 4 years related of experience in an electronic accounting environment. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable.

You have a working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principle, bookkeeping procedures, and the ability to adhere to strict month end and fiscal year end deadlines. Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills are a must for this role.

This role requires a strong customer service focus. As the successful candidate, you will have the ability to diplomatically navigate telephone and email inquiries; work effectively both independently and in a team setting; and the ability to exercise initiative and demonstrate sound judgement.

Knowledge and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite and the Provincial Government Corporate Financial Management System (SAP) would be considered an asset. Please note your resume and cover letter should clearly demonstrate how you meet these qualifications.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion.
• Typically located in a comfortable office environment.
• Much of the time is spent in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about.
• Regularly reads and interprets multiple sources of information, regular requirement to type, read and work on a computer.
• May experience pressure with deadlines and need for accuracy.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.
  
  

Pay Grade: CL 18

Salary Range: $1,848.39 - $2,068.11 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].