County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction of the Workers' Compensation Manager, the Disability Management and Rehabilitation Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the County's Disability Management and Vocational Rehabilitation programs; coordinating return-to-work activities for industrially injured employees; and doing related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This position is located in the Risk Management Unit of the County Administrator's Office and reports to the Workers' Compensation Manager. It is distinguished from the higher level, Workers' Compensation Manager, by the latter having responsibility for program direction and day-to-day supervisory duties.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Reviews claims of industrially injured County employees to determine the scope of disability services required and the feasibility of returning the employees to the workplace.

2. Collects, analyzes and interprets all information pertinent to disability claims for formulating return-to-work and disability management strategies and recommendations.

3. Selects and manages all activities and services provided by Rehabilitation Counselors.

4. Prepares and conducts training sessions for Rehabilitation Counselors, Claims Examiners, and County employees.

5. Identifies resources that aid in the assessment of return-to-work options for industrially injured workers.

6. Authorizes the payment of services in connection with the provision of Disability Management and Vocational Rehabilitation services.

7. Assists in the development and implementation of County policies and procedures relating to disability management, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation and third party administrative operations.

8. Works with various parties (i.e., County management, doctors, employee organization representatives and attorneys) in order to facilitate resolution of return-to-work issues.

9. Reviews and approves all return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation plans.

10. Represents the County at formal and informal rehabilitation conferences to negotiate favorable outcomes regarding the provision of disability management and vocational rehabilitation services.

11. Records and analyzes statistical information to measure cost-effectiveness of disability management services and return-to-work outcomes.

12. Acts as an educational resource for County staff regarding disability management, vocational rehabilitation, workers' compensation, Americans with Disabilities Act and medical/psychological implications of disability.

13. Prepares reports, correspondence and Rehabilitation Bureau forms.

14. May review disability retirement recommendations and participate in Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in counseling, sociology, psychology, vocational rehabilitation or in a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience providing and/or coordinating services in the workers' compensation system, which must have involved vocational evaluation and assessment and the development and implementation of return-to-work plans for injured workers.

Experience in the medical field is highly desirable in such areas as Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, medical management or a closely related field.

Substitution:

Possession of a Master's Degree in counseling, vocational rehabilitation, psychology, sociology or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Licenses or Certificates:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state laws governing Workers' Compensation, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Vocational opportunities for adults with emotional and physical disabilities.
• Medical conditions and associated limitations/accommodations.
• Standardized tests used in vocational guidance and assessment.
• Social and psychological problems of the disabled.
• Principles of ergonomics.
• Disability management and return-to-work processes.

Abilities:

• Applying principles and practices to rehabilitation administration, counseling, vocational guidance, and occupational placement.
• Interpreting test results.
• Written communication.
• Oral communication.
• Interpersonal sensitivity.
• Decision-making.
• Analysis and problem solving.
• Planning and organization.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

6/82
RSS:pb
Updated: 3/87
RP:pb
Revised: 6/2/88
VS:lm
Revised/Retitled: 3/96
0093h
co:updated 6/15/00
Old doc. under: 0093h.wpf Jobspecs/Oldspecs
New doc. under: 0490.doc Jobspecs/Newspecs

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.