Abilities Management Advisor

The Role

Administers disability claims management and return to work coordination, including sick leave, short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), WSIB, and medical accommodations. 
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supports and monitors employees who are absent from work due to occupational and non-occupational illness/ injury.  Provides guidance and education on sick leave and claims processes, including STD, LTD and WSIB. 
• Collects and reviews medical information to determine medical fitness for work and identify restrictions and limitations. Liaises with treatment providers and physicians where necessary to clarify employees’ ability to engage in work duties.
• Determines the need for independent medical assessments and functional abilities evaluations and initiates processes to obtain same.
• Recommends alternatives and provides guidance to employees and management regarding workplace accommodations.
• Develops individualized return-to-work/ accommodation plans for employees, including documentation, to ensure timely and safe reintegration into the workplace.
• Coordinates return-to-work meetings with parties including employees, management, union representation, and internal/external stakeholders, per collective agreements, policies, and procedures.  
• Maintains detailed notes and documentation of communication and actions taken on claims using electronic management systems (i.e., Parklane). 
• Operates within the parameters of legislation, collective agreements, external and internal policies and procedures, and provides advice to internal HR partners, management, employees, and union representatives regarding claims management, return to work, and accommodation.
• Provides recommendations to client departments, union representatives, and HR partners to identify suitable alternate job placements for employees requiring occupational change.  Coordinates plans with employees, management, WSIB, insurance carriers, union representatives, and health care providers; modifies plans to meet changing needs.  
• Liaises with WSIB representatives to manage claims, including negotiating return-to-work plans, initiating objection process, and coordinating return-to-work meetings. Calculates recovered sick bank hours for individual claims. Attends WSIB–level appeals.
• Liaises with STD/ LTD insurance carriers to obtain information regarding employee claim status to determine return-to-work timeframes.
• Collaborates and provides input on new/ revised program policies, procedures, and tools related to disability claims management, return to work, and accommodation.
• Provides troubleshooting support, training, and assistance to internal users of data collection software. 
• Performs software maintenance and data updates of Parklane WSIB system. Analyzes Parklane report information (e.g., incidents, lost time, cost) to identify trends and assist clients with areas of concern.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of current medical treatment and rehabilitative/ therapeutic techniques/ terminology, normally acquired through an undergraduate degree in health sciences (e.g., occupational therapy, human kinetics, kinesiology, physiotherapy, designation as a Registered Nurse), plus directly related vocational rehabilitation counselling experience in a unionized environment.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and related legislation (e.g., WSIB, human rights, health and safety, employment standards, privacy).
• Analytical, organizational, continuous improvement and problem-solving skills to analyze situations, determine issues, and resolve matters; develop and coordinate return-to-work plans; and plan and prioritize work within established program goals. 
• Human relations, communication, and negotiation skills to interview, counsel, and advise employees/ management; negotiate return to work plans; advise client departments and unions to adhere to policy, legislation, and collective agreements; respond to inquiries from employees and stakeholders; facilitate return to work/ accommodation meetings; communicate with doctors regarding medical information; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Computer skills with the ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, a human resources information system (e.g., Banner), and claims management software.
• Ability to read and interpret medical documentation from health care providers; journals/ publications; and policies, procedures, and legislation regarding WSIB, STD, LTD, medical/ vocational rehabilitation, workplace health and safety, and employee wellness to provide current information to management and employees.
• Ability to write return-to-work plans agreements, correspondence, reports, and proposals; complete and maintain employee case data; and write WSIB objections based on case facts/ evidence.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region's values.